My Alk is 9.5. Cal 450. Mg 1550. Phos 0.15. I dose with autodoser four times daily using B-ionic. The high coral load sucks up lots of ca and alk solution. So how do i get nitrates up? That red sea nitrate/phos dosing soltuion seems to target the lowering of nitrates. So do i need to feed more?
Hi Acanman, yes this can be a tricky one, it is a fine balance to maintain a sync between No3 & Po4.
Are you currently using any absorbers for removing No3 or running a refugium that can remove large amounts of No3, it could be as simple as cutting back the Macro Algae, increased feeding is another way for sure of increasing No3 or even increasing fish stocks which will also increase the bio-load increasing No3, Ozone if being used can be reduced, yes our No3Po4-X is designed to control No3 and Po4 levels unlike a lot of products that simply remove or eliminate these Algae nutrients they are both important parts of the nutritional needs of Corals.
Based on your what we call Foundation levels (Alk, Calc & Mag) I would suggest an No3 level of 1 to 2 ppm and Po4 of 0.08, if you continue to struggle to increase your No3 level I would suggest allowing your Foundation levels to reduce, Alkalinity down to 8.3 Calcium down to 430 ppm and Magnesium 1310 assuming you have a salinity of 35ppt, the optimum No3 & Po4 levels would then be 0.25ppm No3 & 0.02ppm Po4.
What I would recommend whilst you are seeing some stripping is to ensure your Corals are getting suitable nutrition and this is where our Reef Energy would be ideal.