Nitrates at zero??

[eagle9252]

Well the title says it. Before you ask it’s an API test. I have tested it 2 days in a row and it shows zero but PH dropped to 7.8. Last week I started doing WC of 10gal. I have to buffer the PH in the SW mix and testing the tank before and the next day after WC last week the NA where 20 then 10. This week’s WC was 10 before and next day was 0. As stated the PH did drop the next day. i had 2 LFS test the water as well and confirmed it.

The only thing that I have changed was a week ago reduced my lights greatly and I added some Cheato and a light in the fuge. Like night and day. The tank glass quit turning yellow. I then added some other micro algae on Saturday. I also started low dosing calcium it tests at 360 +/-. Hopefully it seems I’m getting close to being able to stop or slow down fussing over this and relax some. The PS is even doing great even though it’s a seaclone.

Just added some more snails and crabs, still have more to go. Also added a sand sifting starfish and a couple of peppermint shrimp.

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[johniii]

The cheato is doing its job. Thats whete your nitrates went. Make sure you trim it to export them.

 

[eagle9252]

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">So now I’m confused again. :unsure: I understand that the Nitrates went there. But the trim to export. Don’t I want it to get bigger? What about the pods that are in it? is it a bad thing to just leave it in the fuge?</span></span>

 

[rdnelson]

If anyone in the Cumming, Dawsonville, Canton, Jasper areas has some they are looking to get rid of let me know. I just got my sump up and running and got the light on the fuge last night. I work in Jasper and live equal distance from the four towns listed above.

 

[dme330i]

To clarify what others are saying, the nitrates do not stay in the system or in the macro algae. They are reduced to nitrite and ammonium ions that ultimately enable cellular growth (i.e., the macro gets larger). So, they are "removed" from the system even if you don't prune the macro.

 

[rdnelson]

Technically, they are removed from the Water Column not the system. Since the Cheato is actually a part of the system. However, if it is removed from the water column it no longer has a detrimental affect on the other parts of the system.

 

[ichthyoid]

rdnelson99;712741 wrote: If anyone in the Cumming, Dawsonville, Canton, Jasper areas has some they are looking to get rid of let me know. I just got my sump up and running and got the light on the fuge last night. I work in Jasper and live equal distance from the four towns listed above.

I dropped off a huge ball of it at ImagineOcean a few weeks ago. If Jenn doesn't have any more, I can get you a pinch to get you started.

 

[rdnelson]

Thanks ichthyoid. I have been trying to get by there all weeks. I did drive right past on Monday but of course Jenn thinks she deserves a little time off now and then. Can you believe that?????