Nitrate problem

[coralguy99]

Hi.seems since starting zeovit on 6/10 my nitrate has been rising.when i started zeo, nitrate was 5 now it's 15-20.my po4 is 0 according to salifert test kit,my corals were coloring up,but have since gone back to brown rather fast.
my current dosing for ZS is 0.5 in the morning and same at night.bach/food 2x'sweek @ 4-5 drops each for a 125g BB tank
Ive thought maybe it was because of dying algea but there was not much in my tank to begin with.and most was on the back glass and i scraped it out a few weeks ago.i did notice my cheato is no longer growing very well,so releasing crap back??
I do have 50g of fresh salt water brewing.And planned on few changes this week.
but looking for any other advice.

[Aged Salt]

Hi Coralguy, your deductions are on target with what I noticed for my first 5wks. on ZEOvit, ie. leaking of sequestered nutrients back into one's system such as "shedding" from the LR, die-off of algae both micro- & macro types, & depleting "stored" nutrients. Nutrient depletion is a gradual process & your zeo-dosages are fine. Be sure to cycle the zeo-filter at 3 hr. intervals[if you are, check to be sure the stones are submerged completely when the filter flow is "off"] Also remember to turn off your skimmer for 60min after dosing bak/food & change-out the stones on the first cycle after 4wks. I'm assuming also that the quantity of the zeolites & carbon is as recommended on the ZEOvit guide. Bob

[coralguy99]

Hmm so the rising nitrates are normal?seems to make sense.
I stopped cycling the rocks a week ago.things seem to be ok with it so far.
Carbon and rocks are the right amount altho i just changed the carbon out.zeolites are set for 4 week change out
I did not know to turn the skimmer off.so i have not been doing that.but seems like a good cleaning time.
Well then i guesse i will hit the tank with a few big water changes to get the nitrates down.my corals are not likeing it.

[Aged Salt]

Is there a reason you stopped cycling your zeo-filter? This allows both aerobic & anaerobic bacteria to function in a balanced reduction of both N's & P's. Turning off the skimmer allows higher activity of "seed" & "feed" for the stones, Bob

[coralguy99]

Is there a reason you stopped cycling your zeo-filter? This allows both aerobic & anaerobic bacteria to function in a balanced reduction of both N's & P's. Turning off the skimmer allows higher activity of "seed" & "feed" for the stones, Bob

No,i thought the cycling was suppose to be stopped after first change out of the rocks.I figured alittle early would not hurt.Did i read wrong?

[coralguy99]

Ok i reread that part of the guide.while alittle vauge,i guesse i misunderstood it.so how long do think most systems need to go before not cycling the rocks any more.not that i have a problem with it.i thought it would pull faster that way.i'll plug my timer back in.

[Aged Salt]

Hi, while cycling the zeoites is not a must, but it will be beneficial to do so until one enters phase 3[generally around 6mos of ZEOvit], although cycling the stones can be performed indefinitely if one wishes. After 6 mos, I began running my filter continuously mainly b/c my zeo-filter pump locked-upBob

[coralguy99]

Hi
So do you think the zeo will be able to bring down the nitrates with the phos being low aready.i have changed alot of water in the last week/half with no change in nitrate its still around 20. 0 phos.

Also i thought it was the zeo that made the nitrates so high,but was a bad test kit.so they have been this way for awile.but what gets me is i have changed about 80% of tank water with no reduction.

[G.Alexander]

Coralguy, it looks like your tank has a leak in the biological process in reducing nitrate. However, you add or produce more nitrate to or in the tank than the biological process can handle.

I would recommend to add ZeoBac on a daily basis until you notice a drop in nitrate. You should not use the full dosage. I would recommend to add 5 drops per 300 gallons for example.

Your tank is running ZeoVit since a relative short time. The drop in NO3 could be a longer process. Normally it should go down over the time by itself if you run the system as recommended.

Please make sure you do not decrease NO3 to quick – this can damage delicate corals.

G.Alexander

[coralguy99]

Thanks,So sounds like 2 drops aday would be ok for 150g.I will give that a try and see what happens.
As far as nitrate going in, i really dont feed much.few times a week.and since finding the test kit was bad and a problem,i have not feed the tank at all.
for fish i have a
sailfin tang -small
Nemo
2 blue damsels
manderine
Not many corals either.
As far as zeo.my first change of the stones will be friday if they arrive.Ive known there has been a biological process problem for awile (or thought)I have had my rocks for about 7 years,they look pretty clean on the outside.Do you think replacing some rocks would help at all?maybe re add that missing link?

[G.Alexander]

Coralguy, slow replacing some rocks would ever be beneficial for the biology. I would recommend to do these changes slow (one or two pieces per week) because your tank contains animals. You will bring in a lot of new bacteria and you also will provide a lot of new surfaces for bacteria. I would prefer fresh rocks directly out of the box if possible.

IMO this plan sounds good.

G.Alexander

[coralguy99]

I would prefer fresh rocks directly out of the box if possible.

Cured/uncured,source that you think is good, if you dont mind.Rock around my area is junk.and as we can see its been a long time since the last time i bought any.

[G.Alexander]

Coralguy, I am located far away from the States. Maybe others can jump in here to provide some help.

G.Alexander