Potential reason for 10ppm NO3, 0ppm PO4?

Spar · 08/17/2018, 03:39 PM

Generally if you have a high NO3 you also have a high PO4, but in my case I have high NO3 and zero PO4. I tested NO3 with a new Red Sea Nitrate Pro testkit, and I tested PO4 with a Hanna ULR Phosphorous tester.

I added Biopellets today to help with the Nitrate issue.

But I am wondering why my PO4 is so low? I don't use GFO or any other PO4 reducers, so it is naturally staying low.

Tripod1404 · 08/17/2018, 04:05 PM

Probably nitrate uptake by the bio filter, algae, etc limited by the amount of phosphate. So the phosphate is quickly consumed while excess nitrate accumulates.

mcgyvr · 08/17/2018, 04:38 PM

Your generalization of high nitrates = high phosphates isnt correct imo....many have elevated nitrates but low phos from my experience... Thats quite common

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/18/2018, 03:59 AM

I'd be careful with the biopellets or any other changes right now, unless you have a specific and obvious problem you're trying to solve. In other words, don't chase numbers - as nutrient levels get this low, ratios become important and small changes can have big impacts on corals health and coloration - and it can be easy to inadvertently create a situation that favors a specific pest (ie cyano) and causes it to bloom.

Is there anything actually wrong in your tank that you're trying to fix?

Spar · 08/18/2018, 09:28 AM

There is only one piece of coral in the tank right now, so I'm not too worried.

There is a pretty serious GHA issue in the tank that I have been battling for a long time. Trying to nip this in the bud.

mcgyvr · 08/18/2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spar

There is only one piece of coral in the tank right now, so I'm not too worried.

There is a pretty serious GHA issue in the tank that I have been battling for a long time. Trying to nip this in the bud.

Fluconazole....its magic...do it...

Spar · 08/18/2018, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Fluconazole....its magic...do it...

Yep done it three times. Helped significantly yes, but not a cure for sure, just comes back.

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08/17/2018, 03:39 PM	#1
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	Potential reason for 10ppm NO3, 0ppm PO4? Generally if you have a high NO3 you also have a high PO4, but in my case I have high NO3 and zero PO4. I tested NO3 with a new Red Sea Nitrate Pro testkit, and I tested PO4 with a Hanna ULR Phosphorous tester. I added Biopellets today to help with the Nitrate issue. But I am wondering why my PO4 is so low? I don't use GFO or any other PO4 reducers, so it is naturally staying low. __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

08/17/2018, 04:38 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Your generalization of high nitrates = high phosphates isnt correct imo....many have elevated nitrates but low phos from my experience... Thats quite common __________________ Who me?

08/18/2018, 03:59 AM	#4
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	I'd be careful with the biopellets or any other changes right now, unless you have a specific and obvious problem you're trying to solve. In other words, don't chase numbers - as nutrient levels get this low, ratios become important and small changes can have big impacts on corals health and coloration - and it can be easy to inadvertently create a situation that favors a specific pest (ie cyano) and causes it to bloom. Is there anything actually wrong in your tank that you're trying to fix? __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/18/2018, 09:28 AM	#5
Spar Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,517	There is only one piece of coral in the tank right now, so I'm not too worried. There is a pretty serious GHA issue in the tank that I have been battling for a long time. Trying to nip this in the bud. __________________ 450g Mixed SPS/LPS Reef (MH/T5/VHO)

08/17/2018, 04:05 PM	#2
Tripod1404 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,821	Probably nitrate uptake by the bio filter, algae, etc limited by the amount of phosphate. So the phosphate is quickly consumed while excess nitrate accumulates.