I'm starting week #5 on vinegar dosing. When I started my NO3 was >64 and PO4 was <0. I did a water change earlier today and just finished testing and there is absolutely no change NO3 >64 and PO4 <0. I have a 40 gal. system (30g with a 20g sump) and have been following the dosing charts found online rounded up to make it easier. Am I doing something wrong? Shouldn't I have seen some kind of change? How can I have 0 PO4 and ridiculously high NO3? I use Red Sea test kits. Any help or recommendations would be appreciated.
Vinegar dosing--Confused
- Thread starter GingerPolerBear
- Start date
I have not been neglecting my tank. I can do more water changes, but it hasn't worked in the past, hence the vinegar dosing. I make my own water using red sea pro salt as per the directions(by weight). I know that I need new T5 bulbs and I am in the process of building an LED fixture. I just don't understand how I can be dosing carbon and feeding fairly heavy but have 0 PO4 and ridiculously high NO3. If it makes any difference, here's my full water test:
SG- 1.027
Temp-77.7
pH- 8-8.2(API)
NO3->64
PO4-0
Ca- 500+
Mg- 1580
KH- 3.2meq/l 9dkH
SG- 1.027
Temp-77.7
pH- 8-8.2(API)
NO3->64
PO4-0
Ca- 500+
Mg- 1580
KH- 3.2meq/l 9dkH
Yeah you got some issues the vinegar won't fix. I went from vsv to just vodka now. But it's not a cure for anything its just an aid and routine. Need to gets things under control then it will begin to work as it should. Get the gha out. I would say gfo and carbon for the po4 and no3. You are testing 0 on po4 most likely because they are consuming it. Introduce bacteria as well to fight out the cyano. 3 month slow process under you should be good. But there is no cheap solution really.
Yes, your ratio of N
is out of wack.
Nope, Based on your test results I would not have expected a change in your Nitrate.
Honestly, without even asking I would put my money on GFO use. However any media or Phosphate reducing method that does no target Nitrate as well would have yeilded the same issue.
is out of wack.Nope, Based on your test results I would not have expected a change in your Nitrate.
Honestly, without even asking I would put my money on GFO use. However any media or Phosphate reducing method that does no target Nitrate as well would have yeilded the same issue.
