How long for NO3-PO4-X

[pmcadams]

I have a 140g tank, about 20g in the sump, minus whatever 150lbs of LR and a 3 inch DSB displaces... I'm guessing 125g of water. The tank is 6 months old and my nitrates are around 20. I've been dosing 15ml of nopox each evening for a couple of weeks. How long until I should notice a decline in nitrates ? So far, I'm not seeing any change. Thanks...

[MarcWeaver]

My nitrates really started to lower at day 18. I started NO3-PO4-X 3 months ago and my nitrates are now 4. They were 44+ (the max of my test kit) when I started. I was dosing 35mL per day on a 220 gallon when I started, but am currently dosing 20mL a day.

[pmcadams]

My nitrates really started to lower at day 18. I started NO3-PO4-X 3 months ago and my nitrates are now 4. They were 44+ (the max of my test kit) when I started. I was dosing 35mL per day on a 220 gallon when I started, but am currently dosing 20mL a day.

Thanks for the update... I'll stick with it for a few more weeks and we'll see where it goes.

[reefrad]

have you guys noticed any change in the p04?

how about algae?

i'm dosing 13ml on a lightly stocked 180G

[pmcadams]

have you guys noticed any change in the p04?

how about algae?

i'm dosing 13ml on a lightly stocked 180G

To be honest, I'm not testing for po4 yet. I know it's there. My nitrates are at 20ish+ depending on how color blind you might be with the test I have ;) My cheato is thriving and I have spotty red cyno here and there. If I ever start to see a change in nitrates, my plan is to go get the RedSea kit, but until no3 shows some sign of falling off, there's not much need for smaller incremental accuracy.

[RedSea Aviad]

Hi,
It’s going to take a few weeks, usually around 3-4 weeks but once it starts it’s going to be rapid, so pay a close attention.
Good luck,
Aviad

[MarcWeaver]

have you guys noticed any change in the p04?

how about algae?

i'm dosing 13ml on a lightly stocked 180G

I never had very high phosphate to begin with because I was running GFO before the NOPOX. I don't think NOPOX will lower significantly high phosphates by itself, but that is not from experience, that is what I have read. I can, however, tell you that I removed GFO and chaeto 3 weeks or so into the dosing regimen, and NOPOX manages my phosphates just fine. They never go above .03, and my tank is heavily stocked. I feed 5 cubes of frozen mysis, 1 cube of brine, 2 8X10 inch sheets of nori, some pellets, and a bit of flake per day. My tank is a 220 gallon with lots of LPS and SPS frags.

As far as algae is concerned, I initially noticed a huge die-off in hair algae, but it is coming back again very slowly, which may explain my low phosphate reading to some extent, because the algae may be using the phosphates from the water.

**EDIT: Now that I checked my records, my phosphates were at .05-06 right before beginning, so NOPOX may have been a factor in that, can't tell you for sure, though.

[ReLPSef]

I saw good results within 2 weeks. My nitrates were 20+ and now < 5. My pukani is releasing phosphates and the small amount of cyano that was present disappeared. I stopped dosing for 3 days and it reappeared. I'll stay on it this time.