Hello ,
Wondering if anyone can help me , I am using reef zelements products and would like some guidance. I cant seem to get my nutrients under control despite heavy skimming and carbon dosing.
Here is a background of my reef tank , it is a 125G red sea reefer. I have a semi minimalistic rock scape (caribsea) not totally sure the weight but its not an insignificant amount, the tank is also a bare bottom.It has been running for around 2 years. I would say its on the heavier stocked side in relation to fish and I would say understocked in relation to coral as I have always had issues with nutrient levels and parameter stability (until I started using reef zelements products that is). In my sump I have a brightwell xport biobrick for increased surface area for bacteria. A clarisea filter roller , and a reactor I run Z reef carbon 150g changing every 2-4 weeks. I have an old deltec skimmer that is rated up to 500L , (I thought this was underspecced for my size of tank and bioload ) so I have now added another larger deltec skimmer rated up to 1000L , I currently have both of them running so underskimming should definitely not be an issue (both producing nice skimmate)
Currely livestock is:
Large regal tang
Large sailfin tang
Medium vampire tang
Two small damsels
Two anthias
One clownfish
Large blue chin trigger
Small lionfish
Small hawkfish
Small six line wrass
P04 and NO3 has always been elevated with NO3 being the main issue. I can periodically get P04 down to around 0.06 but will continue to creep up until I use chemical filtration to get this down (Phosban in a bag in a reactor) but NO3 has always been an issue for me getting it down below 20ppm , it usually sits between 25-40 ppm (40 being the high end and not often up at that level)
I do a 100-125L water change every 2 weeks.
My parameters are now stable after using PH plus for around 2 months and dialing in my consumption.
ALK- 8
Calcium – 440
Magnesium- 1400
Salinity 1.025-1.026
I have been dosing carboplus for about 7 weeks , I initially got a bacteria bloom around week 2 and dialed it right back until it cleared. I then started dosing again. I started with 5ml per day for 2 weeks then 7ml for 2 weeks and now 9ml and not seeing any reflection in my nitrate or phosphate tests.
Last 4 weeks my no3 has gradually climbed from 24.5 – 38.8
My feeding consisted of a blend of frozen mysis , copepods , brineshrimp all defrosted , mixed together and then refrozen into ice cube trays (one regular sized ice cube per day) this food is consumed by the fish within 5 mins of being added to the tank.
I have done an ICP test a few weeks ago with no obvious issues (other than high nutrients)
Any input would be greatly appreciated I would really like to get my nutrients down to the desired level so I can increase my coral stock.
Stefan Brown
Wondering if anyone can help me , I am using reef zelements products and would like some guidance. I cant seem to get my nutrients under control despite heavy skimming and carbon dosing.
Here is a background of my reef tank , it is a 125G red sea reefer. I have a semi minimalistic rock scape (caribsea) not totally sure the weight but its not an insignificant amount, the tank is also a bare bottom.It has been running for around 2 years. I would say its on the heavier stocked side in relation to fish and I would say understocked in relation to coral as I have always had issues with nutrient levels and parameter stability (until I started using reef zelements products that is). In my sump I have a brightwell xport biobrick for increased surface area for bacteria. A clarisea filter roller , and a reactor I run Z reef carbon 150g changing every 2-4 weeks. I have an old deltec skimmer that is rated up to 500L , (I thought this was underspecced for my size of tank and bioload ) so I have now added another larger deltec skimmer rated up to 1000L , I currently have both of them running so underskimming should definitely not be an issue (both producing nice skimmate)
Currely livestock is:
Large regal tang
Large sailfin tang
Medium vampire tang
Two small damsels
Two anthias
One clownfish
Large blue chin trigger
Small lionfish
Small hawkfish
Small six line wrass
P04 and NO3 has always been elevated with NO3 being the main issue. I can periodically get P04 down to around 0.06 but will continue to creep up until I use chemical filtration to get this down (Phosban in a bag in a reactor) but NO3 has always been an issue for me getting it down below 20ppm , it usually sits between 25-40 ppm (40 being the high end and not often up at that level)
I do a 100-125L water change every 2 weeks.
My parameters are now stable after using PH plus for around 2 months and dialing in my consumption.
ALK- 8
Calcium – 440
Magnesium- 1400
Salinity 1.025-1.026
I have been dosing carboplus for about 7 weeks , I initially got a bacteria bloom around week 2 and dialed it right back until it cleared. I then started dosing again. I started with 5ml per day for 2 weeks then 7ml for 2 weeks and now 9ml and not seeing any reflection in my nitrate or phosphate tests.
Last 4 weeks my no3 has gradually climbed from 24.5 – 38.8
My feeding consisted of a blend of frozen mysis , copepods , brineshrimp all defrosted , mixed together and then refrozen into ice cube trays (one regular sized ice cube per day) this food is consumed by the fish within 5 mins of being added to the tank.
I have done an ICP test a few weeks ago with no obvious issues (other than high nutrients)
Any input would be greatly appreciated I would really like to get my nutrients down to the desired level so I can increase my coral stock.
Stefan Brown