Quote:
Originally Posted by saltie
Nitrates have been 30-50 since May, Ph has been 7.7-8.1 and alkalinity has been70-110. dosing Seachem as per instructions, buffer 1 tsp per 150 L twice a week and reef builder 1/2 tsp per 150 L same schedule
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ditch the buffer and go with a sodium carbonate additive, forget your ph for a bit and dose based on alk numbers.
the only way to raise alk is to add it , if its not going up then youll need to add more and buffers arnt a good way to do that, IMO its ok in an emergency but i wouldn't be using as my sole alk supplement.
as far as no3 is concerned if your doing 10% water changes a week your removing about 3-5 ppm in each change so by the time the next water change happens 1 week later that 3-5ppm is back or has risen , it comes down to efficiency and water changes arnt efficient . a larger water change will remove more nitrates but that's a poor way to keep things in check and expensive.
you'll need to look at your equipment and natural processes in order to find out what you'll need to do.
what skimmer do you have?
how much rock?
all live or dry?
po4 levels?