0 nitrates

[Joe.Reef805]

So I tested my water because my chaeto hasn’t been growing since I first added it when my cycle was complete. I tested 0 Nitrate and 0.25 phosphate. Shouldn’t my nitrate not be at 0 since my phosphate is at .25? It’s a 25g with 5 small fish. Feed 2x a day

 

[Flux Capacitor]

It’s possible to have zero nitrates and high phosphates. Do you do water changes? What’s your filtration like?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would feed more or dose N in some fashion. I dose ammonium bicarbonate.

 

[DmitryB]

I would feed more or dose N in some fashion. I dose ammonium bicarbonate.

Randy, do you dose manually all at once per day or do you have a doser?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What test kit are you using?
5 fish in a 25 gallon is a very full tank getting fed twice per day should provide plenty of nutrients.
Is chaeto growth your goal? Are there corals in the tank, how are they doing? What kind of light do you have on your chaeto?

 

[CHSUB]

I’m 0 nitrates too….not sure if that’s a problem?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, do you dose manually all at once per day or do you have a doser?

I have a BRS 1.1 mL per min doser I use, but 0.1 ppm once or twice a day manually is fine.