Hi all, fairly new to reefing. Having a battle with phosphate and nitrate at the moment.
Phosphate started at 0.9ppm about 4 months ago. Brought down slowly with a low dose of rowa. Happy enough with this for now until I reach the target range 0.1-0.2.
Nitrates have been flat lined since I started in the hobby and will not budge. Any tips before I start adding nyos nitrate +?
Currently running a skimmer, a refugium with chaeto in, roller filter, rowa and a incline uv steriliser.
Fairly low stocking. 240l display, 70l sump.
Coral- A Duncan, kenya tree, gsp, 2 hammers and a toadstool.
Fish- Clownfish, purple tang, foxface.
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment
No comments yet
Be the first to start the conversation.
@HazelWasp35
20d
Skimmer switched off this morning, will keep a close eye on it and see what it does. Thank you both 🙂
@Proofy
20d
You need to do a water change and bump up your salinity. Your PH needs to be at 8.2 at least
@Proofy
20d
Dial back the refugium photoperiod: The Chaetomorpha is consuming every trace of available dissolved nitrate before corals can use it, stalling phosphate export. Cut the refugium light down to 3–4 hours per night or turn it off entirely until nitrates register. Pause or reduce mechanical/nutrient stripping: Temporarily pause the roller filter (or set it to advance less frequently) and dial back the skimmer to skim very dry. Keep RowaPhos usage low and steady: Phosphate cannot drop efficiently without nitrate present for biological uptake (Redfield ratio). Do not ramp up Rowa aggressively, or it will strip the water column too fast and shock the LPS/softies. Nutrient Correction Dose nitrate: Dose Nyos Nitrate+ to raise NO_3 into the 5–10 ppm range. Aim for an initial target of ~5 ppm. Increase feeding: Feed the fish (Foxface, Tang, Clownfish) slightly more or supplement with coral foods/amino acids to naturally introduce organic nitrogen. Watch phosphate fall naturally: Once nitrate reaches 5–10 ppm, corals and surviving Chaeto/biofilm can resume consuming phosphate, making the RowaPhos far more effective at bringing PO_4 down toward the 0.05–0.10 ppm target. Addressing the 7.4 pH Check calibration: Verify the probe or test kit first; a true 7.4 during the day is unusually low, especially with 7.5 dKH alkalinity. Increase gas exchange: Run an airline from the skimmer intake to outside fresh air, open a window in the room, or install a CO₂ scrubber to push pH toward 8.0–8.3. This is what you need brother
@HazelWasp35
20d
Thank you for this advice. Much needed. Just before you posted, I had checked and recalibrate ph tester. I got a reading of 7.9. Did 2 more tests after this both at 7.9. I believe the 7.4 to be a false reading.
@Proofy
20d
The primary issue with this tank is nutrient starvation and imbalance: nitrates are bottomed out at 0.00 ppm, phosphates remain elevated at 0.37 ppm, and the system is over-filtered for its light bioload. This combination puts the tank at high risk for dinoflagellates and coral tissue necrosis. The secondary issue is dangerously low pH (7.4).
Sign in to join the conversation.
I would turn off your skimmer until your nitrates are above 5. I ended up buying a super nice skimmer when I first got a tank but nitrates were bottomed out. I ended up not needed to turn it on until about 6 months in. Too clean of water is also a problem. I also did dose nitrate for a bit so no problem doing that as well. Your soft corals like dirtier water.