Balancing phosphates and nitrates

fishkeeprian · 10/23/2019, 05:19 AM

Hello,

I am fighting a battle with dinos at the moment. The more I read it seems clear a contributing factor is the nitrate and phosphate balance. My nitrates are at 10ppm and phosphates are at 0.024ppm

Are my numbers out of wack?

bertoni · 10/23/2019, 02:52 PM

I don't think there's much evidence that the ratio of nutrients is an absolute determining factor. I'd probably try some carbon dosing first, but that might help or hurt. Dinoflagellates can be hard to kill. If the phosphate drops any lower, I might consider dosing some if I were dosing carbon. What does the tank have for filtration currently?

mcgyvr · 10/23/2019, 06:20 PM

Redfield ratio ...google it...16:1.. but out of balance there that "seems" to be more related to cyano issues vs dinos

fishkeeprian · 10/24/2019, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I don't think there's much evidence that the ratio of nutrients is an absolute determining factor. I'd probably try some carbon dosing first, but that might help or hurt. Dinoflagellates can be hard to kill. If the phosphate drops any lower, I might consider dosing some if I were dosing carbon. What does the tank have for filtration currently?

I only have a refugium, which I dont run the light anymore because it was keeping my phosphates undetectable. And I run some carbon in a reactor. I dont run any filter socks or skimmer anymore.

fishkeeprian · 10/24/2019, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I don't think there's much evidence that the ratio of nutrients is an absolute determining factor. I'd probably try some carbon dosing first, but that might help or hurt. Dinoflagellates can be hard to kill. If the phosphate drops any lower, I might consider dosing some if I were dosing carbon. What does the tank have for filtration currently?

I've had to remove my corals because they are super stressed. I dont want do a water change and make things worse by adding trace elements. So by carbon dosing I'm increasing the bacteria population out competing the dinos?

bertoni · 10/24/2019, 10:03 PM

Yes, hopefully, the bacteria will be able to outcompete the dinoflagellates. It works for some people, but certainly not 100% of the time.

10/23/2019, 05:19 AM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Balancing phosphates and nitrates Hello, I am fighting a battle with dinos at the moment. The more I read it seems clear a contributing factor is the nitrate and phosphate balance. My nitrates are at 10ppm and phosphates are at 0.024ppm Are my numbers out of wack? __________________ If in doubt ask!

10/23/2019, 02:52 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't think there's much evidence that the ratio of nutrients is an absolute determining factor. I'd probably try some carbon dosing first, but that might help or hurt. Dinoflagellates can be hard to kill. If the phosphate drops any lower, I might consider dosing some if I were dosing carbon. What does the tank have for filtration currently? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/23/2019, 06:20 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Redfield ratio ...google it...16:1.. but out of balance there that "seems" to be more related to cyano issues vs dinos __________________ Who me?

10/24/2019, 10:03 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Yes, hopefully, the bacteria will be able to outcompete the dinoflagellates. It works for some people, but certainly not 100% of the time. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni