Nitrates falling (due to new Macro algae?) with a side of low dKH...

[jabberwock]

I am happy with how my almost 2 year old 25gal lagoon tank is running. I test pretty regularly but don't chase numbers.

I added a chunk of green macro algae which has really taken off (quadrupled in size). I am pretty sure it is sucking up my nitrates. Should I pull it out or cut it back? Maybe feed more?

dKH has always been low, but stable. Should I take any action on dKH? Data are from my last 5, 16% water changes. Pictures are of today.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

6 dKH is low. I’d boost it to at least 7 dKH. I’d feed more or dose N.

 

[jabberwock]

6 dKH is low. I’d boost it to at least 7 dKH. I’d feed more or dose N.

Thanks, will feeding more raise dKH? If not, how do I boost dKH?

 

[jabberwock]

Working on dKH with baking soda, is reef roids a good option to dose Nitrates?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Working on dKH with baking soda, is reef roids a good option to dose Nitrates?

Reef Roids seems heavy on phosphate. I’d use some other food if you primarily want to raise nitrate. Or you can dose ammonium or nitrate.

 

[jabberwock]

Reef Roids seems heavy on phosphate. I’d use some other food if you primarily want to raise nitrate. Or you can dose ammonium or nitrate.

OK, doubled up on feeding mysis and prime reef, as well as a small amount of formula one and formula 2 pellets.
My fish are happy...

 

[jabberwock]

and shut off the skimmer.

 

[jabberwock]

Been about 10 days and my Nitrates are bottoming out. I have doubled my feeding to about 1/3rd of a cube twice a day and shut off the skimmer. Should I increase more than that? I have a lot of life in the tank.

I think I will need to remove the green caulerpa. I like it, but i feel like it is out competing my corals. Thoughts?

 

[Dan_P]

Been about 10 days and my Nitrates are bottoming out. I have doubled my feeding to about 1/3rd of a cube twice a day and shut off the skimmer. Should I increase more than that? I have a lot of life in the tank.

I think I will need to remove the green caulerpa. I like it, but i feel like it is out competing my corals. Thoughts?

Feed the system nitrate or ammonia if you want to keep the Caulerpa. Also, consider keeping a a smaller amount of it.

 

[jabberwock]

I have been testing alot... Trying to dial in dKH and pH. The green Caulerpa is gone. I liked it, but it was greedy. I yanked it. Overall the tank and livestock seem very healthy.

I have been adding 1 tsp of baking soda in about 100 ml of rodi 3 times a week. This is keeping my dKH and pH at better levels. Could/should I use my ATO as a dosing pump by adding some baking soda to the 5 gallon ATO reservoir?

The math comes out to almost 4 cups in 5 gallons, That sounds ridiculous. Maybe start with 1/4 cup of baking soda? If it is even a decent idea. I get that this is a fundamental change to the system and potentially has a very bad out come... Thoughts?

 

[jabberwock]

Feed the system nitrate or ammonia if you want to keep the Caulerpa. Also, consider keeping a a smaller amount of it.

I have Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride. Would that be ok to dose? How much to dose in a 25 gallon tank. I have been feeding very heavy, but nutrients are still bottoming out. Everything in the tank looks healthy.

 

[Dan_P]

I have Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride. Would that be ok to dose? How much to dose in a 25 gallon tank. I have been feeding very heavy, but nutrients are still bottoming out. Everything in the tank looks healthy.

See Randy’s post on dosing ammonia.

 

[jabberwock]

Reef Roids to the rescue.