Question on NO3:PO4

nuclearheli · 04/08/2012, 08:16 AM

Just started dosing NO3:PO4 5 days ago. I need confirmation on what I think I already know. I run UV in my system. My thinking is that the UV does not affect the bacteria I am trying to cultivate using NO3:PO4 because it doesn't exist in the water column. Is this assumption correct? I currently have zero phosphates (two test kits) and high >4 Nitrates (Red Sea Test Kit). I have a fuge with cheato and a large skimmer which is working very well skimming a bunch of stuff. I also use a dosing system which distributes A&B and NO3:PO4 over the course of a day. My Ca levels are around 480 and Alkalinity is 8.4. I don't run anything else in the system. I do use filter socks, my fuge and sump combined is approximately 125 gallons. I have a mixed reef, my SPS corals look pretty good but I would like them to be more vibrant. I can't think of anything else to do with the system. I do water changes with RS Coral Pro salt. The salinity is 1.026. Temperature is constant at 78.5. Water is clear, sand bed is white and no algae growth. I do have algae on the glass that I clean every two days or so.

Can you make suggestions on what else I can tweak to improve my system?

RedSea Aviad · 04/18/2012, 11:35 PM

Hello,
My apologies for the late response, I was on the roads in the last few week.

So I can confirm, UV will not affect the bacteria growing deep inside the rocks and sand.
Why is your calcium so high?
For colors you need to follow the following guidelines:
Algae nutrient levels of 0.25 ppm NO3 and 0.02 ppm PO4, in order to maintain a reduced level of Zooxanthellae, reducing the brownish tint of the corals and inducing the protection response of enhanced coloration.

Reduced levels of the Foundation Elements:
Alkalinity 8.2dKH / 2.9meq/L,
Ca 430ppm,
Mg 1310ppm.
In order to lower the energy demand from coral growth.

Availability of the minor and trace elements (Coral Colors) used in the soft tissue for increased coloration:
Iodine- 0.06ppm,
K- 380ppm,
Fe~ around 0.15ppm.

Reef Energy at higher doses, to provide the additional energy that the coral needs to receive from the environment.
4ml of each Reef Energy A & B per 25gal a day.

All the best,
Aviad

nuclearheli · 04/23/2012, 09:00 AM

No problem, I have been away myself and not able to respond. I have some additional questions.

1. I am trying to get my nitrate levels down to .25, currently stuck at 3. I am dosing according to the instructions and my phosphates have all but vanished. I cannot seem to get the nitrates down. also I am seeing Cyano in my sump refug and some red on portions of some of my rock although not much in the display tank. None in the sand bed.

2. What is your position on Activated Carbon and Chemi Pure Elite? Will they reduce the efficiency of the No3:PO4? Doesn't carbon remove organics and the stuff in your solution, isn't is mostly organic?

3. I am not sure I understand your comment on the Calcium levels. I use Coral Salt Pro for my water changes and according to your own label the Ca levels are much higher than 430 as you recommend. In fact so are the Mg and Alkalinity higher. Your chart also recommends that for salinity at 1.025 a Ca level of 480. So I am confused, you are recommending lower levels for everything that your salt has higher levels of?

I just ordered your Mg test kit because I want a more accurate reading. My phosphates are tested with two two test kits and confirmed by my LFS. They pretty much don't exist.

Thanks in advance for your help.

RedSea Aviad · 05/15/2012, 02:19 AM

Hi,
Please consider reading this:
http://redseafish.com/uploadimages/9...A2011%204W.pdf

All the information with the proper water parameters are there.
Every manual(test kit and supplements) has a detailed theoretical information in regards to the right parameters and how to get them in line.
You can use active carbon.

All the best,
Aviad
Red Sea North America

04/08/2012, 08:16 AM	#1
nuclearheli Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cream Ridge NJ Posts: 886	Question on NO3:PO4 Just started dosing NO3:PO4 5 days ago. I need confirmation on what I think I already know. I run UV in my system. My thinking is that the UV does not affect the bacteria I am trying to cultivate using NO3:PO4 because it doesn't exist in the water column. Is this assumption correct? I currently have zero phosphates (two test kits) and high >4 Nitrates (Red Sea Test Kit). I have a fuge with cheato and a large skimmer which is working very well skimming a bunch of stuff. I also use a dosing system which distributes A&B and NO3:PO4 over the course of a day. My Ca levels are around 480 and Alkalinity is 8.4. I don't run anything else in the system. I do use filter socks, my fuge and sump combined is approximately 125 gallons. I have a mixed reef, my SPS corals look pretty good but I would like them to be more vibrant. I can't think of anything else to do with the system. I do water changes with RS Coral Pro salt. The salinity is 1.026. Temperature is constant at 78.5. Water is clear, sand bed is white and no algae growth. I do have algae on the glass that I clean every two days or so. Can you make suggestions on what else I can tweak to improve my system? __________________ "We owe most of our great inventions and most of the achievements of genius to idleness, either enforced or voluntary. The human mind prefers to be spoon-fed with the thoughts of others, but deprived of such nourishment it will, reluctantly, begin to think for itself-and such thinking, remember, is original thinking and may have valuable results." (Agatha Christie) Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Mixed Reef

04/18/2012, 11:35 PM	#2
RedSea Aviad RC Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: U.S. Posts: 720	Hello, My apologies for the late response, I was on the roads in the last few week. So I can confirm, UV will not affect the bacteria growing deep inside the rocks and sand. Why is your calcium so high? For colors you need to follow the following guidelines: Algae nutrient levels of 0.25 ppm NO3 and 0.02 ppm PO4, in order to maintain a reduced level of Zooxanthellae, reducing the brownish tint of the corals and inducing the protection response of enhanced coloration. Reduced levels of the Foundation Elements: Alkalinity 8.2dKH / 2.9meq/L, Ca 430ppm, Mg 1310ppm. In order to lower the energy demand from coral growth. Availability of the minor and trace elements (Coral Colors) used in the soft tissue for increased coloration: Iodine- 0.06ppm, K- 380ppm, Fe~ around 0.15ppm. Reef Energy at higher doses, to provide the additional energy that the coral needs to receive from the environment. 4ml of each Reef Energy A & B per 25gal a day. All the best, Aviad __________________ ~ ~ Red-Sea ~ ~ For perfect results!

04/23/2012, 09:00 AM	#3
nuclearheli Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cream Ridge NJ Posts: 886	No problem, I have been away myself and not able to respond. I have some additional questions. 1. I am trying to get my nitrate levels down to .25, currently stuck at 3. I am dosing according to the instructions and my phosphates have all but vanished. I cannot seem to get the nitrates down. also I am seeing Cyano in my sump refug and some red on portions of some of my rock although not much in the display tank. None in the sand bed. 2. What is your position on Activated Carbon and Chemi Pure Elite? Will they reduce the efficiency of the No3:PO4? Doesn't carbon remove organics and the stuff in your solution, isn't is mostly organic? 3. I am not sure I understand your comment on the Calcium levels. I use Coral Salt Pro for my water changes and according to your own label the Ca levels are much higher than 430 as you recommend. In fact so are the Mg and Alkalinity higher. Your chart also recommends that for salinity at 1.025 a Ca level of 480. So I am confused, you are recommending lower levels for everything that your salt has higher levels of? I just ordered your Mg test kit because I want a more accurate reading. My phosphates are tested with two two test kits and confirmed by my LFS. They pretty much don't exist. Thanks in advance for your help. __________________ "We owe most of our great inventions and most of the achievements of genius to idleness, either enforced or voluntary. The human mind prefers to be spoon-fed with the thoughts of others, but deprived of such nourishment it will, reluctantly, begin to think for itself-and such thinking, remember, is original thinking and may have valuable results." (Agatha Christie) Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Mixed Reef

05/15/2012, 02:19 AM	#4
RedSea Aviad RC Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: U.S. Posts: 720	Hi, Please consider reading this: http://redseafish.com/uploadimages/9...A2011%204W.pdf All the information with the proper water parameters are there. Every manual(test kit and supplements) has a detailed theoretical information in regards to the right parameters and how to get them in line. You can use active carbon. All the best, Aviad Red Sea North America __________________ ~ ~ Red-Sea ~ ~ For perfect results!