Nitrates and zeovit additives?

[rob020880]

Do any of the following zeovit additives increase nitrates?

Sponge Power 50ml
Pohl's Xtra 250ml
Amino Acids High Concentrate 100ml
Pohl's Coral Vitalizer

I have been dosing the following for about two weeks now and just realized that my nitrates have shot up. But it could be due to the fact that I need a water change. I have been doing a 25% water change once a month and never had problems though which is why I wonder about the additives.

[rob020880]

Anyone have any experience?

[DonH]

Don't know about Xtra but Sponge Power and AAHC can increase nitrates while Coral Vitalizer will not.

[rob020880]

So if I notice higher nitrates should I stop using for a while or cut the dosage?

[DonH]

Most recommendations I've read from the Zeo forum have suggested to either cut the dosage in half or stop using it for a few days altogether if the nitrates get too high or there's an algae bloom. I've been running a full Zeo system for 2 months and dose all the supplements at half dosage and have no problems with nitrates/phosphates.

[Canarygirl]

Don't know about Xtra but Sponge Power and AAHC can increase nitrates while Coral Vitalizer will not.

+1

Most people use 1/2 the recommended dosage (I use 1/3 what is stated on the bottles). Then if there's any negative side effects, reduce dosage further or frequency of dosing.

[reef_doug]

++1. I would stop the supplements for 1wk and then resume at 1/2 dosage.

Nitrates between 5-10 are fine. Clams need nitrates. We don't know exactly what's inside of the supplements. Sponge Power is for Sponges and clams and IMO can be overdosed.