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Unread 09/08/2012, 10:18 AM   #8
Garfield90
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 75
People always notice a depletion in nitrate levels, faster than PO4. That's because our tank's bacteria "eat" nitrates and phosphates at the same time, but they consume more nitrate than PO4.
As coralreefdoc has said, based on Redfield Ratio (the ratio cannot be used as a bible, it describes nutrient behaviour in specific environments) when there's undetectable nitrate levels, the only way to reduce phosphates efficiently is using GFO or similars.
The other way, the "natural" way is letting detritus settle in filter socks, for example, and they will raise slowly nitrates and therefore, the bacteria will be able to consume phosphates.
But you cannot manage how many nitrates you are dosing in the system by decomposing detritus, you could raise their level too much and your tank won't be in equilibrium.

I've never used nitrate dosing, and if you want to do it, do it carefully and slowly


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