0 Nitrates And .12 Phosphates?

[calli]

Hey all,

I just recently started adding livestock to my tank after a successful cycle. I still have a bit of the algae left over from the cycle and a little bit of hair algae.

I have a pair of clowns, clean up crew of various snails, cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp and a watchman goby.

I have various zoas and a Duncan coral.

About a week ago my phosphates were at .23 and nitrates 0. I then added a carbon and phosban reactor about 4 days ago.

Tested phosphate 12-15 hours later and got .18
1 day later .15 and today .12

Question is why are my nitrates 0 and phosphates so high and do I need to worry?

Or should I go grab 5 Chromis and add them? My thinking is the beneficial bacteria is easily handling the bioload. Thoughts?

Cheers!!


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[Pistol]

was the rock used, po4 could be leaching from the rock, i would let the tank mature for awhile and get stable before adding anymore livestock, you have to take it slow in this hobby.

 

[calli]

was the rock used, po4 could be leaching from the rock, i would let the tank mature for awhile and get stable before adding anymore livestock, you have to take it slow in this hobby.

The rock was completely cleaned, acid bath.

Also, I am using RO / DI water. Where would the phosphates come from? Feeding?


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[Pistol]

Bleach and acid bath won't remove phosphates, the rock is likely leaching and feeding the algae, you can run some gfo to remove the po4

 

[Josh]

GFO, or starting up your refugium if your going that route will help with the situation.

 

[calli]

GFO, or starting up your refugium if your going that route will help with the situation.

I started with GFO but I am using a 1/4 of the recommended dosage to start. I am worried more about my Nitrates at 0. Is there a way to get those up? or will that just happen as I add livestock?

 

[Josh]

You can dose nitrate by using stump remover however i HEAVILY encourage you to spend a good time researching the details on it first if you want to go that route, i personally have never done it. Overfeeding should help with nitrates as well but will also give phosphates. Only true way to balance your N/P is to dose a nitrate. Again.... Dont haphazardly do this.

Better option is to go up to 1/2 dose and be patient.

 

[calli]

You can dose nitrate by using stump remover however i HEAVILY encourage you to spend a good time researching the details on it first if you want to go that route, i personally have never done it. Overfeeding should help with nitrates as well but will also give phosphates. Only true way to balance your N/P is to dose a nitrate. Again.... Dont haphazardly do this.

Better option is to go up to 1/2 dose and be patient.

I think I will do that this week.. Test once more, maybe Wednesday and add 1/4 cup more.

Thank you

 

[Pistol]

Be patient, the nitrates will come up, no need to encourage them