Below are my N-DOC Results and Recommendations. From what I can see, my Total N and NO3 are too high. (I'm assuming the N is high because of the elevated NO3). The organic C is slightly elevated. (I've been dosing a very low level of Carbon about 4-5 times a week; I will stop for a while.) All of the ratios are elevated, and I assume this is because of the elevated NO3.
My QUESTIONS:
1. Am I correct in concluding that elevated NO3 is my only real concern and that is what I need to deal with?
2. NOTE: Today I tested NO3 with a Hanna HR checker and it was 15. I know that many SPS growers have no problem with NO3 levels much higher than this, (including myself, in the past). Should I even be concerned with a NO3 level of 15? Or, are the Triton methods and recommendations all designed to keep NO3 in the 2-5 range and anything above will trigger warnings? If so, I have to wonder how important that is because I have seen many beautiful SPS tanks running NO3 much higher.
3. One recommendation is to use BIOBASE but only if the organic Carbon is on the low side. (Mine isn't)
a) What is in BIOBASE and what does it do? Is it simply a N source but not NO3?
b) Why shouldn't it be used with normal or high organic Carbon? (Does it contain organic Carbon?)
4. For quite a long time I've been considering getting a Chaeto reactor and am wondering if it is really necessary. (Today, I put some biopellets in a reactor to see how things look after lowering the NO3 a little).
Comments: My SPS have been struggling a bit but I believe it is because I moved 6 months ago. I used all the same equipment with the move but lost an unusually high number of colonies and frags mostly soon after the move. (I've moved several times in my life but never had this problem, and this move was the easiest and shortest distance). Everything seems to be stabilizing now.
An ICP test at the same time as the N-DOC was fairly normal (with the exception of slightly low B and Mo and the usual low I, Fl, Fe and Mn)
N-DOC
ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Measured parameters
Organic-group
Calculated nutrient ratio N-C-P
HELP:
TIC
We have found a good level of inorganic carbon and thus carbonate hardness.
Maintain your current dosage.
TNb
We have detected a high level of Nitrogen.
This can have the following disadvantages for your aquarium.
- May increase the chances of Cyanobacteria
- May favour nuisance algae growth
- Can lead to darkening of coral colours
In addition to your inorganic supply of Calcium, Magnesium and Carbonate Hardness, you can also dose BioBase.
If you use the TRITON method:
1. Increase the photoperiod over the algae refugium (do not exceed 14 hours illumination), check performance of algae light (we recommend T5 lighting)
2. If you are not yet using TRITON BioBase and your TOC is in the lower range, you can start with the dosage
3. There is a fundamental error in your system structure. Please contact the support at [email protected] so that we can help you immediately.
If you use a different system:
Consider revising your chosen filtration method.
Please contact us for further support on [email protected]
TOC
We have detected an increased level of organic carbon.
This can have the following disadvantages for your aquarium.
- May increase the chances of Cyanobacteria
- Can cause bacterial blooms (lack of oxygen)
- Can promote diseases
If you use BioBase:
1. Halve the existing dosage
If you use vodka, acetic acid or other carbon sources:
1. Reduce the dosage
2. Consider alternate carbon source
3. Try to better adjust your dose to avoid adverse effects.
My QUESTIONS:
1. Am I correct in concluding that elevated NO3 is my only real concern and that is what I need to deal with?
2. NOTE: Today I tested NO3 with a Hanna HR checker and it was 15. I know that many SPS growers have no problem with NO3 levels much higher than this, (including myself, in the past). Should I even be concerned with a NO3 level of 15? Or, are the Triton methods and recommendations all designed to keep NO3 in the 2-5 range and anything above will trigger warnings? If so, I have to wonder how important that is because I have seen many beautiful SPS tanks running NO3 much higher.
3. One recommendation is to use BIOBASE but only if the organic Carbon is on the low side. (Mine isn't)
a) What is in BIOBASE and what does it do? Is it simply a N source but not NO3?
b) Why shouldn't it be used with normal or high organic Carbon? (Does it contain organic Carbon?)
4. For quite a long time I've been considering getting a Chaeto reactor and am wondering if it is really necessary. (Today, I put some biopellets in a reactor to see how things look after lowering the NO3 a little).
Comments: My SPS have been struggling a bit but I believe it is because I moved 6 months ago. I used all the same equipment with the move but lost an unusually high number of colonies and frags mostly soon after the move. (I've moved several times in my life but never had this problem, and this move was the easiest and shortest distance). Everything seems to be stabilizing now.
An ICP test at the same time as the N-DOC was fairly normal (with the exception of slightly low B and Mo and the usual low I, Fl, Fe and Mn)
N-DOC
ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Data Help Dose Visual
Measured parameters
Organic-Group | Analysis | Setpoint | ||
TIC | Total inorganic carbon | 27.30 mg/l | 27 mg/l | ▲ |
TOC | Total organic carbon | 5.75 mg/l | 0 - 4 mg/l | ▲ |
TC | Total carbon | 33.06 mg/l | 31 mg/l | ▲ |
TNb | Total nitrogen | 7.88 mg/l | 0.4 - 1.3 mg/l | ▲ |
Element | Analysis | |||
dKH | 7.32 | ▲ | ||
Alk | 2.61 | ▲ | ||
N/NO3 calculated | 34.83 | ▲ |
PARAMETER | Analysis | Setpoint TRITON RATIO | |||||
N | NITROGENE | 7.88 mg/l | 0.4 - 1.3 mg/l | ▲ | |||
C(i) | INORGANIC CARBON | 27.30 mg/l | 27 mg/l | ▲ | |||
C(o) | ORGANIC CARBON | 5.75 mg/l | 0 - 4 mg/l | ▲ | |||
P | PHOSPHORUS | NaN µg/l | 12 μg/l | ▲ | |||
RATIO | |||||||
N-C(i)-C(o)-P | 789.87 | 0.00 | ▲ | ||||
N-C-P | 683.47 | 0.00 | ▲ | ||||
N-P | 1182.00 | 0.00 | ▲ | ||||
C(i)-C(o) | 17.06 | 0.00 | ▲ | ||||
N - NO3(N) Ratio | 0.00 | ▲ | |||||
HELP:
TIC
We have found a good level of inorganic carbon and thus carbonate hardness.
Maintain your current dosage.
TNb
We have detected a high level of Nitrogen.
This can have the following disadvantages for your aquarium.
- May increase the chances of Cyanobacteria
- May favour nuisance algae growth
- Can lead to darkening of coral colours
In addition to your inorganic supply of Calcium, Magnesium and Carbonate Hardness, you can also dose BioBase.
If you use the TRITON method:
1. Increase the photoperiod over the algae refugium (do not exceed 14 hours illumination), check performance of algae light (we recommend T5 lighting)
2. If you are not yet using TRITON BioBase and your TOC is in the lower range, you can start with the dosage
3. There is a fundamental error in your system structure. Please contact the support at [email protected] so that we can help you immediately.
If you use a different system:
Consider revising your chosen filtration method.
Please contact us for further support on [email protected]
TOC
We have detected an increased level of organic carbon.
This can have the following disadvantages for your aquarium.
- May increase the chances of Cyanobacteria
- Can cause bacterial blooms (lack of oxygen)
- Can promote diseases
If you use BioBase:
1. Halve the existing dosage
If you use vodka, acetic acid or other carbon sources:
1. Reduce the dosage
2. Consider alternate carbon source
3. Try to better adjust your dose to avoid adverse effects.