55 gallon tank running for about 5 months now. Always had problems with nitrates and phosphates. Forget about calcium. Have done about 150 gallons or more of water changes. Some from local fish store others from distilled water and mix myself. Last 28 gallon water change I did from LFS made no difference so tested his rodi water. Nitrates in the 40's.
Just got a new protein skimmer and have been vodka or sugar dosing for a few days. Full cup of tea colored skim every morning. Nitrates are now zero. Phospates read like 3 or 4 colors down from zero.
What is causing my phosphates? I switched fish food per another LFS. I have 40 pounds of base rock and 30 pounds of live rock. Rock is loosing Coraline due to phosphates and no calcium.
Any suggestions? Could it be the base rock which is not porous at all?
Thanks in advance for your help
Gary
Just got a new protein skimmer and have been vodka or sugar dosing for a few days. Full cup of tea colored skim every morning. Nitrates are now zero. Phospates read like 3 or 4 colors down from zero.
What is causing my phosphates? I switched fish food per another LFS. I have 40 pounds of base rock and 30 pounds of live rock. Rock is loosing Coraline due to phosphates and no calcium.
Any suggestions? Could it be the base rock which is not porous at all?
Thanks in advance for your help
Gary