Need Advice: Nothing is Growing!

[Deleted member 20245]

Keeping it simple — going back to 3-part dosing for now. Alk is currently at 8.4dKH and I’m losing 0.6dKH/day. Will tune Alk to 8dKH and let Ca come down on its own. I think that I’ll need to dose 140mL/day to keep Alk stable.

Current dosing:
Alk: 140mL/day (tbd)
Ca: off
NO3: 40mL of Vodka/day
PO4: off (was 5mL PhosphatE)

 

[Deleted member 20245]

Alrighty — BRS Dual-DI just arrived.

 

[Deleted member 20245]

Got the Trident NP back online. Intake tube#2 got loose and leaked out the machine. It was a 5min fix.

 

[Jimbo327]

The stupid Trident is behaving erratically again - Trident NP is actually good.

Since I changed to ABC Reagent, things are grossly off compared to Hanna. Currently, I’m at 9dKH (per Hanna, tested multiple times & compared to other tanks) but Alk is showing over 14dKH!

I’m tempted to go back to those 6mos reagents when I’m done with this ABC batch. Currently, I’m taking whatever dKH value is reported and subtract by 4-5! lol

Anyone has the same problem?

View attachment 131314

Here is a trick that I use to get it out of the funk. Go into your configure Trident, and set factory default. Upload. This should reset your Trident and your new reading should be 0's for all 3 elements. Then perform 2 calibrations in a row (enter the values from hanna/salifert). It should calibration to what your other tests readings. Give it a shot and let me know if that works for you.

 

[Jimbo327]

I’m actually shocked that the NP is working for you. I think most people gave up on it because phosphates is not reliable and only 2 months reagent shelf life. It seems most are paperweights at this point or used for just nitrates testing.

 

[Deleted member 20245]

I’m actually shocked that the NP is working for you. I think most people gave up on it because phosphates is not reliable and only 2 months reagent shelf life. It seems most are paperweights at this point or used for just nitrates testing.

lol - guess I’m lucky? The numbers have been closely matching Hanna. Weird part per was last ICP test showed doubled NO3 but PO4 was spot on:
NP: 0.14ppm
ICP: 0.11ppm

I can do another test this week with Hanna to see how far it’s drifting. I usually calibrate every 2-3 wks, based on Hanna results.

 

[Deleted member 20245]

@Jimbo327 - here’s the latest comparison to Hanna. It’s not bad — the results are within tolerance, even for Hanna.

Alk: 8.88dKH vs 8.2dKH (Hanna)
NO3: 22.7ppm vs 34.5ppm (Hanna)
PO4: 0.05ppm vs 0.02ppm (Hanna)

 

[drexel]

Now you need more PO4, but at least it's in a good position to be able to control.

 

[Deleted member 20245]

Now you need more PO4, but at least it's in a good position to be able to control.

I’ve already stopped dosing PhosphatE and occasionally dosed Reef Roids. Also, feeding 3 sheets of nori helps bring PO4 up. I was able to control PO4; however, NO3 is a little challenging with 30 large fish. With higher dosage of vodka, I get these weird, white slime in the sump. I’m currently at 40mL of vodka/day. I need get NO3 down to the teens…

 

[Jimbo327]

The white slime is the bacteria. You may need to slow down on the carbon dosing. Adding more surface area will help with nitrates.

 

[Deleted member 20245]

The white slime is the bacteria. You may need to slow down on the carbon dosing. Adding more surface area will help with nitrates.

Yup - I’ve already dialed it back from 60mL where it was gross and clogged up the Trident’s lines. I seem to get away with <40mL though. That’s my tank’s sweet spot.

I have a lot of rocks already, fleece roller, and actively skimming - the tank’s main diet is pellets so that is contributing to the rise in nitrates. I’m confident I can drive down NO3 to the teens (just give it a few more weeks). And yes, doing a 40-50% WC will knock it down a similar percentage…before you remind me again!

One more: I’m skimming wetter now anyway, that should export more than before. NO3 was 55ppm and now 16ppm — that ain’t bad in 2-3 weeks! lol

 

[Deleted member 20245]

I believe that NO3 won’t come down further since carbon dosing will reduce in proportional amount of N to P (not Redfield but close enough). Per Hanna, I’m at 0.02ppm so that’s not good. I don’t want to bottom PO4 out so always have a stash of NeoPhos on the shelf.

Going to dose multiple shots of NeoPhos to bring PO4 closer to 0.10 for nitrates to come down.