Looking to control PO and NO3: 72 gallon reef, needs to be HOB, best options?

[JeremyAN7]

Interestingly: I had a few bags of Fluval Clearmax, which I put in my Emperor yesterday, then 4 hours later, measured PO and it was 0! However my NO3 was still 50. so. I'll remove the clearmax (probably done by now) and continue with the plan above.

 

[JeremyAN7]

I read recently that use of UV sterilization in addition to bio-pellets (carbon dosing) can be counter productive... Is this ONLY during the early weeks as the bacteria are building up in the pellet reactor? or always? Can I assume that after say 6 weeks of breakin of the reactor, I can safely turn on the UV for say 12 h daily (at night lets say) and not adversely effect the capabilities of the nitrate / phosphate reduction of the bio-pellets?

Thanks

 

[JohnK]

Why run the UV at all?

 

[JeremyAN7]

without getting into "why run UV at all" I'd like to see if I can answer the question... which is does UV interfear with bio-pellets.. And will waiting 6 weeks or so be ok?

 

[JohnK]

It is quite possible. The whole point of carbon dosing is to encouage bacterial growth that will take up nitrate and phosphate. UV will potentially kill bacteria passing through it so in that respect it would be counterproductive. Basically you would be growing bacteria to take up nutrients, then at the same time killing bacteria releasing those same nutrients back into the water colum. As far as how long to wait, I don't think that would matter much, it'll be just as counter productive in 6 weeks.