Brad's 100 'n Change Cube-like Journal

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Oh, while you're here, what's your thoughts on the required ratio of N:P for carbon dosing? I think that with my limited NO3, it's not going to do what it's meant to all that well

If you Push the carbon dosing there may come a time where it will be a limiting factor , this usually only plays a role for peoplle trying to get to zeros for both nitorgen and phosphourous and started quite high , the numbers dont ratio well for a person who has high numbers of each , often no3 is zero befor po4. there doesn't need to be a constant supply of nitrogen and bacteria will use nitrogen when it's available be it always available or as it becomes available and they will even store it for later use , hence the reason we carbon dose even after getting zeros so bacteria never stop doing their jobs they just may stop doing it as fast on paper as we would like.

If you feel though like your at a stall then adding a bigger nitrogen source will get you over that hurdle , so be it adding fish , over feeding or adding nitrates directly (potassium nitrate) to name a few . the same can be said for phosphates both of these can be manipulated by you to act in your favor.

So if no3 is nil , then you have to ask your self do you want to go the slow route for bacteria to consume in ratio c : n : p or if you want to step in and do two things one is add a larger nitrogen source and the other is to lower the po4 for quicker end result (zeros)

Fwiw you may always have to run po4 removers from time to time , most do as we all overstock , change our imports and exports , get lazy etc. and po4 is in everything organic we add

[reefwars]

So yes once you hit zero you should continue on dosing as the bacteria use the nitrogen when and as it's available , if your still trying to lower numbers than you may have to change the ratio of what's available to suit your needs or give it some help chemically

[Aquattro]

I'm used to the 180, I used nothing ever for PO4 and always read 0ppm. I haven't been dosing, but may start again once get the big ass water change done, I want to dilute the PO4 in half anyway. I feed too much already, but probably need more fish

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'm used to the 180, I used nothing ever for PO4 and always read 0ppm. I haven't been dosing, but may start again once get the big ass water change done, I want to dilute the PO4 in half anyway. I feed too much already, but probably need more fish

It's a funny how it works sometimes but I think your tank will get there you just have to find the right combination of tools and numbers to work with , if nitrates are nil and phosphates are high you have an idea of where to start you just need to find out what will work best long term. If the systems animals are healthy and the system is healthy then you have time to slowly resolve it

[Aquattro]

My PO4 was 0.04ppm before the 3 anthias died in the rocks, so I feel a couple 50% water changes will bring them back to where I can better manage them. Everything is fine in the tank, so no rush.

[reefwars]

Anthias is something I've had the worst of luck with , between jumping and dropping dead overnight I just gave up , even the dispars I don't have much luck with. Love the colors and how they swim around but yeah no go

[Aquattro]

Ya, no more for me either.