Nitrate and Phosphate Help

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by mdbostwick, Jun 4, 2014.

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  1. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    So I am having trouble with algae as anyone who looks through the algae forum can tell.

    I know that I have some issue with nitrates and phosphates. They are both showing as 0 on my tests so I know the algae is consuming it all. My probelm is finding the source of said ghost nitrates and phosphates. I don't have any livestock dead in my tank, even all my little snails seem to have kicked. It doesn't seem like I am over feeding, all the food is consumed by fish, shrimp and snails that is dropped in the tank. After those two things I am kinda at a loss as to what I need to address as the source of these phosphates and nitrates.

    It is kinda a shot to the groin when the algae is punching you in the throat and your test kit is giving you smiley faces. TIA
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    What members are in your cuc? A well planned cuc can be really helpful.
    What about out competing the algae with an ATS or Chaeto?
    Have you tried a lights out?
    Guess I need to go see your algae thread to see what type of algae you're having an issue with.
     
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  4. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    Hey MD, I've felt your pain myself. Remind me, what do you have for filtration, live rock, sand? What test kits do you use? What do you have for water movement? I can assure you this is something that can be fixed. If I can do it i'm sure you can too. There are so many experienced people here. I think defining where you are at as far as your system is the first step. Good luck and I'll follow.
     
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  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
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  6. Av8Bluewater

    Av8Bluewater Giant Squid

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    What are your current methods of nutrient export?
    GFO?
    SKimmer?
    Water change schedule?
    I see you have a refugium... is it mature and growing or a small ball of macro?
    What are you using to test Phosphates?
     
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  7. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    Having an issue with green Cyano. Just can't seem to kick it. I do have a pretty good wad of chaeto in my fuge, and have thought about an ats but seems like a huge commitment, maintenance wise.

    I have not tried a lights out. How does that effect corals?
    My cuc is from reefcleaners, nassarius, nerites, ceriths, no hermits.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2014
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  9. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    Currently, i have a skimmer running 24/7, i do 10% weekly wc. This week i did 20 and will do another this weekend. The fuge has a ball of chaeto and a small amount of a freebie red macro from reefcleaners. And it has maybe hair algae in it and cyano. Not exactly sure what all is growing in it other than the chaeto and red stuff. The ball is very full about the size of a baseball. I am testing phosphate with Salifert phosphate kit and nitrate with api.
     
  10. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    My filtration is 100lbs LR, 40 lbs sand, a fuge. For circulation i have the 2 returns and 1 wp25 in else. Ammonia, nitrate, nitrate, are api, phosphate, alk, magnesium, calcium, are Salifert.

    I have also been having trouble keeping my alk up. It likes to drop. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.
     
  11. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    I have also tested my ro/di water and my salt for nitrate and phosphate, both show 0 as well so it is not coming from there unless my tests are lying to me.
     
  12. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    you already answered my question - is your source water clean? hmmm.........are you running any phosphate removing products like GFO or phosguard. If not, I might suggest that as a next step since you mentioned you're not keen on the ATS.
     
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