dosing w/ b-ionic

[rebar]

I would like some advice on dosing with b-ionic. I got back recentlly into putting corals in my tank ... mostly softies and lps. I had lost all a while back to due to crazy work hours. upgraded my lights and am trying again. Question is, should i be dosing with b-ionic regularly. I don't dose with anything else and i try to keep up with my weekly water changes (but sometimes i don't get to it. Here my parameters for my 72 gallaon bow front witha 15 gallon supm, euro-reef skimmer and t5 tek lights (6 bulbs).

dkh: 9
ph. 8.1
nitrite about 30ppm (high b/c skimmer pump broken for a while and had to wait to get it repaired...using water channges and carbon to lower)
phospate: about .5 - 1. (probably because of pump problem)
salinity: 1.022
calcium (about 480...seems to always be high in my tank)

with this said, should i regulalry dose with b-ionic's part 1 and 2.

thanks in advance.

 

[kenconnect]

If ur doing weekly water changes and ur cal is steady about 480. Then no need to.. Btw whats your alk @

 

[Lenny718]

Only dose as needed. If your Cal is high you may want to lay off it for a day or two. You need to test daily to figure out how much your corals consume and then you can find out your daily dose.

 

[masterswimmer]

I agree with Ken & Lenny about dosing.

However, I have a different issue with what you posted. Your nitrites are never a function of a protein skimmer. Your nitrites are at toxic levels and are due to a cycle occurring in the system. Did you recently add rock (uncured or cured) to the tank? Has there been a fish or other death?

Russ

 

[rebar]

no new rocks, only a mangrove pod that died and slipped in a difficult place to get. should it just do what i need to do to take out. also, how about putting more cheato..would that help..i will definatly do more water changes then.,

 

[rebar]

alk (dkh) is 9

 

[rebar]

by removing organic matter, which would ultimatley increase nitrates, doesn't the protein skimmer control and reduce, albiet indirectlty nitrates???

 

[masterswimmer]

dkh: 9
ph. 8.1
nitrite about 30ppm (high b/c skimmer pump broken for a while and had to wait to get it repaired...using water channges and carbon to lower)
phospate: about .5 - 1. (probably because of pump problem)
salinity: 1.022
calcium (about 480...seems to always be high in my tank)

You said in your first post that nitrites were about 30ppm, not nitrates.

Nitrates are the final by-product of the ammonia cycle and basically fuel for algae growth. The way to get rid of nitrates is through water changes and macro algae for nutrient uptake in a refugium.

Nitrites on the other hand is the second by-product in the ammonia cycle and is toxic to fish. The way to remove nitrites, naturally (no chemicals), is through colonizing beneficial bacteria. Completing the ammonia cycle accomplishes this.

Now the question begs to be asked, how long has your tank been running? Did you test your water to determine if the cycle ran its course? How soon after starting the tank did you add fish, and was the cycle complete?

Russ

 

[rebar]

..it was a typo i meant nitrates are about 30..nitrites are 0. im very clear on the differeence...sorry about that. tank is abut 6 years old and very well established. That being said are my nitrates level of 30ppm harmful for my corals?

 

[masterswimmer]

..it was a typo i meant nitrates are about 30..nitrites are 0. im very clear on the differeence...sorry about that. tank is abut 6 years old and very well established. That being said are my nitrates level of 30ppm harmful for my corals?

Ideally you want to keep your 'trates below 20 ppm. At 30 ppm it will fuel excess algae growth, but it is not harmful to coral at those levels. I would do a nice size water change, consider adding a fuge, and try to determine why your 'trates are up. How often do you feed, and how much? Do you feed frozen food?

Russ

 

[jmaquatic]

agree

Great info masterswimmer 1+
:goldfish: