WILL NITRATE's

[RobNJ]

Will elevated nitrate's cause a diatom bloom? I just got a diatom bloom, and haven't had one in almost a year... I checked my levels and my phosphates are near 0 ... My Nitrates are elevated 10ppm ...

Doing a water change now, but will raised nitrates cause a bloom?

 

[m2434]

I believe phosphates and silicates are more rate limiting for diatoms, but they do consume nitrates. Did you add anything new? I only ask, because in my experience, when pod populations drop diatoms take off, wait a few days or so and the pods start showing up again and the diatoms disappear. So if there is a new consumer, the population could have dropped. Otherwise they could have just consumed all their food sources and crashed on their own. I haven't personally found diatoms to exist if pods are around... my $.02.

 

[demonsp]

What is your water supply. You use tap ?

 

[RobNJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11030581#post11030581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
What is your water supply. You use tap ?

RO/DI

 

[RobNJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11030567#post11030567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m2434
Did you add anything new?

Just a second 6100 Tunze Stream... No Livestock changes..

Only thing I could think is maybe the new stream moved too much sand and released some nitrate into the water column.

An additional 3000 gph tends to move some sand.

 

[demonsp]

Great then water quality not an issue. This is a good sign your in for more trouble and need to nip it in the bud.
Could be from overstocking or over feeding. I would do a 20% water change followed by weekly 10% changes and if you see no change then start getting more aggressive.

 

[RobNJ]

Just checked my RODI, It was reporting 1 to 2 TDS..

Swapped out a new DI Resin cartridge .. Will do a nice water change tomorrow.

I don't think its over feeding, I only feed once a day. Few pinches of pellets. Once a week nori also.

I also have been skimming very dry, I think im going to tune the skimmer to run a little wet.

 

[demonsp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11031088#post11031088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobNJ
Just a second 6100 Tunze Stream... No Livestock changes..

Only thing I could think is maybe the new stream moved too much sand and released some nitrate into the water column.

An additional 3000 gph tends to move some sand.

If your sand was in poor shape and the flow moved alot of sand then i can see this.