Reef Central Online Community - View Single Post - Is Phyto Feast increasing my Nitrate levels?

monkeysee1 · 01/14/2019, 07:50 AM

Hi again everyone!
I have a nice cocoa worm that I've had for several weeks now. I've been target feeding it PhytoFeast (5 ml - a syringe full) every day now.
A couple of days ago I've noticed that one of my sea urchins (a Black Spine) has been losing its spines and acting sluggish.
I said to myself uh oh - better check the nitrates and sure enough - they're OVER 50 PPM!
I've dont TWO large water changes, back to back on 2 days, and I've started dosing with suger. The nitrates are just STARTING to go down a bit.
ALL my fish and OTHER inverts are fine (Emerald crab, hermits, snails, shrimp, etc)....
Is it because of too much Phyto Feast?
If so how much should I feed my cocoa worm? And HOW OFTEN?
To put it another way, how do I keep him happy while reducing my nitrates and KEEPING them down? I don't want him to die

ANY insight would be appreciated!!!

01/14/2019, 07:50 AM	#1
monkeysee1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MERRIMACK NH Posts: 423	Is Phyto Feast increasing my Nitrate levels? Hi again everyone! I have a nice cocoa worm that I've had for several weeks now. I've been target feeding it PhytoFeast (5 ml - a syringe full) every day now. A couple of days ago I've noticed that one of my sea urchins (a Black Spine) has been losing its spines and acting sluggish. I said to myself uh oh - better check the nitrates and sure enough - they're OVER 50 PPM! I've dont TWO large water changes, back to back on 2 days, and I've started dosing with suger. The nitrates are just STARTING to go down a bit. ALL my fish and OTHER inverts are fine (Emerald crab, hermits, snails, shrimp, etc).... Is it because of too much Phyto Feast? If so how much should I feed my cocoa worm? And HOW OFTEN? To put it another way, how do I keep him happy while reducing my nitrates and KEEPING them down? I don't want him to die ANY insight would be appreciated!!! __________________ Your "fair share" is not in my wallet; it's in my fish tank!! Current tank info: 90 Gallon saltwater 10 fish with a few inverts; NO CORALS! Tried to go reef; didn't work out so hot; FOWLR's for me! Last edited by monkeysee1; 01/14/2019 at 08:13 AM.