no3po4x use advice

skene · 07/25/2017, 04:21 PM

I have a 200g mixed reef and been having issues with persistently high no3 / po4 (80+ / 0.9) Even with weekly change of BRS high capacity ferric oxide + 25% water change, I can't seem to control the parameters. I've tried vinegar in the past but found that it dropped the pH too much and the volume I had to dose in total was too much.

I'm contemplating on using RS no3po4x with half the recommended dosage. Should I be increasing the dosage rate on a weekly basis depending on test results or can I increase the rate more quickly? Based on reviews, most of the horror stories come from users that added too much too quick so I'm trying to be as safe as possible, even if it means going slower.

Also should I continue using BRS ferric while using the no3po4x?

hegeh · 07/25/2017, 04:37 PM

Stop the ferric oxide until you see no3 reduced.

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Potatohead · 07/25/2017, 04:49 PM

Start with half dose and test nitrate every few days. It may start working right away or it may take a couple weeks, depends on the tank. You can increase or decrease dose as required to get the levels where you want them. It does take longer to decrease phosphate than nitrate so I would probably concentrate on nitrate reduction for now and decrease gfo use later on.

bertoni · 07/25/2017, 05:19 PM

I agree that starting with ½ or even 1/4 the recommended dose should be safe enough. I'd watch the tank, though, since every tank responds differently. You could stop the GFO or reduce the amount gradually if you want to be very cautious. I'd watch the phosphate level for a few days, at least, if I removed the GFO. Again, every tank responds differently, so I'd be cautious.

Alfrareef · 07/25/2017, 06:00 PM

+1 on be cautious and start with half with no worry to increase.

gprdypoo04 · 07/25/2017, 06:47 PM

It doesn't always work in every situation.

jda · 07/26/2017, 02:21 PM

Where is the N and P coming from? Do you have an old neglected tank? A new tank with dry/dead rock and newer sand? The advice on how to fix your issue will matter depending on the cause.

Most of the issues with organic carbon is that it can fuel bacteria so much that they use up all of the oxygen in the tank... it is not so much that they lower N and P too quickly, although once you get near zero, the bacteria will outcompete your coral and starve them.

07/25/2017, 04:21 PM	#1
skene Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 104	no3po4x use advice I have a 200g mixed reef and been having issues with persistently high no3 / po4 (80+ / 0.9) Even with weekly change of BRS high capacity ferric oxide + 25% water change, I can't seem to control the parameters. I've tried vinegar in the past but found that it dropped the pH too much and the volume I had to dose in total was too much. I'm contemplating on using RS no3po4x with half the recommended dosage. Should I be increasing the dosage rate on a weekly basis depending on test results or can I increase the rate more quickly? Based on reviews, most of the horror stories come from users that added too much too quick so I'm trying to be as safe as possible, even if it means going slower. Also should I continue using BRS ferric while using the no3po4x?

07/25/2017, 05:19 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that starting with ½ or even 1/4 the recommended dose should be safe enough. I'd watch the tank, though, since every tank responds differently. You could stop the GFO or reduce the amount gradually if you want to be very cautious. I'd watch the phosphate level for a few days, at least, if I removed the GFO. Again, every tank responds differently, so I'd be cautious. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/25/2017, 04:37 PM	#2
hegeh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 223	Stop the ferric oxide until you see no3 reduced. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

07/25/2017, 04:49 PM	#3
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	Start with half dose and test nitrate every few days. It may start working right away or it may take a couple weeks, depends on the tank. You can increase or decrease dose as required to get the levels where you want them. It does take longer to decrease phosphate than nitrate so I would probably concentrate on nitrate reduction for now and decrease gfo use later on.

07/25/2017, 06:00 PM	#5
Alfrareef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portugal Posts: 405	+1 on be cautious and start with half with no worry to increase.

07/25/2017, 06:47 PM	#6
gprdypoo04 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 389	It doesn't always work in every situation.

07/26/2017, 02:21 PM	#7
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Where is the N and P coming from? Do you have an old neglected tank? A new tank with dry/dead rock and newer sand? The advice on how to fix your issue will matter depending on the cause. Most of the issues with organic carbon is that it can fuel bacteria so much that they use up all of the oxygen in the tank... it is not so much that they lower N and P too quickly, although once you get near zero, the bacteria will outcompete your coral and starve them.