NO3/PO4/Biopellets/GFO/NOPOX/Neonitro

JurisHP · 11/20/2016, 12:57 PM

Dear All: I have a 180G mixed reef tank, and have had NO3/PO4 issues for years. I am running Carbon, and 2 months ago, started using BRS Biopellets. I am also dosing NOPOX. When I started with the biopellets, I stopped running GFO (in my BRS dual reactor--the other chamber is where the carbon is). Today is the 8 week mark for the biopellets. Upon testing today, my PO4 levels have finally come down (.36), but I want them down even further. My NO4 levels have not budged. BRS recommends that the biopellets run for 8 weeks, and during that time shut-off the UV Sterilizer and stop dosing GFO.

Can I keep the biopellets running, and at the same time, dose NOPOX and/or Neonitro? Or is that a bad idea? I have gotten mixed answers from BRS on this, and don't want to dose too much OR dose things simultaneously that may result in some sort of chemistry disaster.

Thanks for any help.

downbeach · 11/20/2016, 01:03 PM

When I started running BP's I stopped using a liquid carbon source. Running both together was a problem, causing the BP reactor to clog. What type of reactor are you using for the BP's? What are you using to measure your PO4? What is your NO3 reading?

JurisHP · 11/20/2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downbeach

When I started running BP's I stopped using a liquid carbon source. Running both together was a problem, causing the BP reactor to clog. What type of reactor are you using for the BP's? What are you using to measure your PO4? What is your NO3 reading?

I am using a Reef Octopus media reactor. I am using Red Sea test kits for measuring all levels. NO3 is off the charts (OVER .75)

bertoni · 11/20/2016, 02:23 PM

The important thing is to keep the total carbon dose low enough that it doesn't cause problems for corals. That seems to be an issue in some tanks, at any rate. The NeoNitro seems to be a nitrate source. The carbon dosing is intended to consume the nitrate, so it doesn't necessarily make sense to be dosing both at the same time unless you are trying to grow bacteria to feed sponges or the like, or you want to try to reduce the phosphate level using only carbon.

The NOPOX and pellets might not be enough to reduce the phosphate level without a lot of added nitrogen, so I'd consider adding some GFO to the system if the nitrate level is fine.

JurisHP · 11/20/2016, 02:53 PM

My Nitrates are off the charts high. THAT is my main concern (as well as getting my PO4 even lower--they are slowly starting to come down after years of being at .64 always)

Joey_bananas420 · 11/20/2016, 07:50 PM

Get a brightwell block or marine pur media and put it in your sump. Brightwell is laced with sulfur to boost dentrifying bacteria population growth. It's recommended to seed it with a bacteria culture overnight in saltwater then justvplace it in your sump. Your skimmer will go crazy for a day most likely will get a little bacteria bloom that will subside after a few days. But then after nitrates and po4 should remain close to 0. Brightwell guarantees this up to 1200 gallon systems. I was skeptical at first too but it works

bertoni · 11/20/2016, 08:46 PM

From what I can tell, the NeoNitro is a nitrate supplement, so I'd stop that at this point. What is the nitrate level currently?

JurisHP · 11/21/2016, 05:01 PM

Nitrates are around .64

bertoni · 11/21/2016, 09:25 PM

.64 ppm nitrate is fine. I'd probably try some GFO to lower the phosphate level.

JurisHP · 11/22/2016, 08:13 AM

I was mistaken---Nitrates are actually over .75

bertoni · 11/22/2016, 01:32 PM

Anything under 2-3 ppm should be fine for the animals that we keep, although coloration can be an issue. I wouldn't worry about the nitrate.

11/20/2016, 12:57 PM	#1
JurisHP Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 168	NO3/PO4/Biopellets/GFO/NOPOX/Neonitro Dear All: I have a 180G mixed reef tank, and have had NO3/PO4 issues for years. I am running Carbon, and 2 months ago, started using BRS Biopellets. I am also dosing NOPOX. When I started with the biopellets, I stopped running GFO (in my BRS dual reactor--the other chamber is where the carbon is). Today is the 8 week mark for the biopellets. Upon testing today, my PO4 levels have finally come down (.36), but I want them down even further. My NO4 levels have not budged. BRS recommends that the biopellets run for 8 weeks, and during that time shut-off the UV Sterilizer and stop dosing GFO. Can I keep the biopellets running, and at the same time, dose NOPOX and/or Neonitro? Or is that a bad idea? I have gotten mixed answers from BRS on this, and don't want to dose too much OR dose things simultaneously that may result in some sort of chemistry disaster. Thanks for any help.

11/20/2016, 02:23 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The important thing is to keep the total carbon dose low enough that it doesn't cause problems for corals. That seems to be an issue in some tanks, at any rate. The NeoNitro seems to be a nitrate source. The carbon dosing is intended to consume the nitrate, so it doesn't necessarily make sense to be dosing both at the same time unless you are trying to grow bacteria to feed sponges or the like, or you want to try to reduce the phosphate level using only carbon. The NOPOX and pellets might not be enough to reduce the phosphate level without a lot of added nitrogen, so I'd consider adding some GFO to the system if the nitrate level is fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/20/2016, 08:46 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	From what I can tell, the NeoNitro is a nitrate supplement, so I'd stop that at this point. What is the nitrate level currently? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/21/2016, 09:25 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	.64 ppm nitrate is fine. I'd probably try some GFO to lower the phosphate level. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/22/2016, 01:32 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Anything under 2-3 ppm should be fine for the animals that we keep, although coloration can be an issue. I wouldn't worry about the nitrate. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/20/2016, 01:03 PM	#2
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	When I started running BP's I stopped using a liquid carbon source. Running both together was a problem, causing the BP reactor to clog. What type of reactor are you using for the BP's? What are you using to measure your PO4? What is your NO3 reading?

11/20/2016, 02:53 PM	#5
JurisHP Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 168	My Nitrates are off the charts high. THAT is my main concern (as well as getting my PO4 even lower--they are slowly starting to come down after years of being at .64 always)

11/20/2016, 07:50 PM	#6
Joey_bananas420 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 54	Get a brightwell block or marine pur media and put it in your sump. Brightwell is laced with sulfur to boost dentrifying bacteria population growth. It's recommended to seed it with a bacteria culture overnight in saltwater then justvplace it in your sump. Your skimmer will go crazy for a day most likely will get a little bacteria bloom that will subside after a few days. But then after nitrates and po4 should remain close to 0. Brightwell guarantees this up to 1200 gallon systems. I was skeptical at first too but it works

11/21/2016, 05:01 PM	#8
JurisHP Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 168	Nitrates are around .64

11/22/2016, 08:13 AM	#10
JurisHP Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 168	I was mistaken---Nitrates are actually over .75