SPS are pale, zero nitrates and still have algae.

[KatoJoe]

I

Have you tested the alk swing it causes? 32ml isn't much but if it's causing huge swings it may be a problem also. You doing bi carbonate, carbonate or kalk?

I haven’t tested the alk swing. Can I do that immediately after or wait an hour or so to let it disperse?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Another issue to consider is the ratio between Nitrates to Phos (10:1, say, Nitrates=1 and Phos=0.1). Increasing Nitrates above said ratio can lead to slower coral growth. THAT being said, there are many paths to Nirvana. As stated, CUC additions necessary. Really, what you have is a balancing equation.

 

[reefermadnes5]

Cuc needs pods

 

[billyocean]

I

I haven’t tested the alk swing. Can I do that immediately after or wait an hour or so to let it disperse?

An easy way to see is test before your doser doses (assuming doser) in the a.m. and then again in the p.m. however it's set up, you just don't want to test immediately after a dose because it will skew the numbers.

 

[KatoJoe]

Another issue to consider is the ratio between Nitrates to Phos (10:1, say, Nitrates=1 and Phos=0.1). Increasing Nitrates above said ratio can lead to slower coral growth. THAT being said, there are many paths to Nirvana. As stated, CUC additions necessary. Really, what you have is a balancing equation.

That is consistent with what I’ve read. I just haven’t got to the part where I have any nitrates yet! I’m starting to realize there’s more nuance to the recipe than I thought I suppose and like you said, many was to get there.

 

[KatoJoe]

Update - previous to starting this thread I had cut back my fuge lighting duration by half, removed half the chaeto, doubled feedings and reduced the time the skimmer was. Over a two week period my nitrates still tested at 0.

I have been dosing neonitro daily at half the recommended dose of the .5 increase calculation for the last 12 days. I test nitrates every other day and I’m still getting 0 most days and .1 on some days. Phosphates still pretty steady at .02

Unfortunately, some of my acros are not responding well to dosing. The slimer that was once a quite fluorescent green/yellow has lost all its fluorescence, turned mostly brown and even rtn’d a section (see attached pictures). Is this to be expected even if not ideal? I thought I was going slow by only doing half the recommended dose. Is this not slow enough? Would like to hear from anyone with experience in dosing NeoNitro specifically to bring nitrates up from zero. Should I stay the course and keep dosing? What would your recommended dose amount be? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Spare time]

This seems like an awfully long thread for what should be a simple answer

 

[apb03]

This seems like an awfully long thread for what should be a simple answer

I agree. I read three pages and all I see is a need to add fish.

 

[Spare time]

I agree. I read three pages and all I see is a need to add fish.

Algae means there isn't enough eating it

Pale coral and 0 nitrate means there isn't enough food (or fish waste)

I don't see what else is needed to be said beyond that

 

[Spare time]

Update - previous to starting this thread I had cut back my fuge lighting duration by half, removed half the chaeto, doubled feedings and reduced the time the skimmer was. Over a two week period my nitrates still tested at 0.

I have been dosing neonitro daily at half the recommended dose of the .5 increase calculation for the last 12 days. I test nitrates every other day and I’m still getting 0 most days and .1 on some days. Phosphates still pretty steady at .02

Unfortunately, some of my acros are not responding well to dosing. The slimer that was once a quite fluorescent green/yellow has lost all its fluorescence, turned mostly brown and even rtn’d a section (see attached pictures). Is this to be expected even if not ideal? I thought I was going slow by only doing half the recommended dose. Is this not slow enough? Would like to hear from anyone with experience in dosing NeoNitro specifically to bring nitrates up from zero. Should I stay the course and keep dosing? What would your recommended dose amount be? Any help is appreciated!

I would do larger doses at once.

 

[KatoJoe]

This seems like an awfully long thread for what should be a simple answer

Thanks for your helpful response

 

[KatoJoe]

Algae means there isn't enough eating it

Pale coral and 0 nitrate means there isn't enough food (or fish waste)

I don't see what else is needed to be said beyond that

I guess I’m relatively new to the hobby and looking for answers. Part of that is understanding what my expectations should be when I make a change such as dosing nitrates. I’ve read through countless threads on these forums about low nutrients and they’re all the same. None of them document what the OP did to fix their problem, how long it took and what if any hurdles they had to overcome to get there. So when I see acros start to turn brown and rtn as a result of me dosing nitrates, naturally I’m concerned and looking for answers. I apologize if this is all so simple to you seasoned pros.

 

[KatoJoe]

I would do larger doses at once.

And my expectation should be that if this causes my acros to brown, rtn and die that it’s just the way it is?