Trying to raise Nitrates - Page 2

reefwars · #1 05-30-2014, 01:46 PM

There's a thread on RC called dosing nitrates in the chemistry forum it's a good read and prob the one brads talking about I'd link it but I'm out and a about town atm but some good info on why one would dose them.and what to dose. Again adding nitrates directly is a bit touchy of a subject and seems to be more beneficial ways of doing it.

reefermadness · #2 05-30-2014, 01:58 PM

I dont think adding NO3 will solve any problems with SPS. JMO.

reefwars · #3 05-30-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefermadness

I dont think adding NO3 will solve any problems with SPS. JMO.

I'm with you I don't think the impact higher nitrates will have will be huge or beneficial to Sps longterm.

Aquattro · #4 05-30-2014, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars

I'm with you I don't think the impact higher nitrates will have will be huge or beneficial to Sps longterm.

Agreed.

reefermadness · #5 05-30-2014, 02:41 PM

SO what is the problem with the SPS. You could probably get some good advice here.

Definitely 5ppm NO3 is not needed. I dont think it would hurt but I have had great SPS growth and colour with unregistered NO3 and PO4.

Personally I think that when people see a positive reaction to increasing NO3 or PO4 it's actually a postivie reaction to something higher up on the nutrient/food chain. Ie. feeding more.

My philosophy is high import (larger bioload, larger amount of quality food) and high export (quality filtration). Bascially allowing there to be a constant influx of food yet with the filtration ablity to keep the broken down by products (disolved NO3 and PO4) to a minimum.

Reef Pilot · #6 05-30-2014, 02:00 PM

Yeah, sure can't figure why you would want to raise your nitrates... I spent about a year getting mine down from a high of 100 ppm to zero with bio pellets. They have been zero for about 2 years now. But just a couple of weeks ago, I removed my bio pellet reactor since it wasn't consuming many bio pellets anymore. However, just noticed now that my nitrates are no longer zero. They just barely register some colour now, so still less than 5, but not zero anymore. I was surprised actually, and will definitely keep a close watch with my testing. If they continue to rise, will install the bio pellet reactor again.

My phosphates are running around .04 - .08 lately, too high IMO. I had them down to zero last year, too, and had my best SPS growth and colour then,.. and no algae. I think P04 actually has the biggest effect on SPS growth. Some SPS (birdsnest, valida, montis, etc) of course grow just fine with higher nutrients. But my deep water smoothies definitely like the low P04.