Am I cooked??

[willygwak2]

So I haven’t done a water change in around 2-3 weeks, but I just tested nitrate a few minutes ago, and it was quite literally less than 5ppm (maybe 3-4). I’m not great about managing nutrients, but I don’t care for SP, so it really isn’t the biggest problem. But 2-3 weeks with nutrients staying that low doesn’t feel right. Tanks around 8-10 months old, got it mid January and began cycling the next day. Also I had a fish die in those 2-3 weeks without a water change, which would bring nutrients up even more. What could be happening, and I’m willing to admit my test kit is API so it’s a bit finicky sometimes, but I would expect nitrates to be close to 40-60 which is dangerously high, but I’ve had it there before so I know the test kit an pick up readings that high.

 

[Lavey29]

Some nutrients are better the 0. You want nitrates 10 to 15 and phosphate. .05 to .15 for a mixed reef. Feed more export less to raise nutrients. I had to double dose neophos and neonitro for multiple months before I got measurable numbers.

 

[willygwak2]

My point is more so them staying down that low for 2-3 weeks with 0 water changes and actually a very high stocking amount

 

[Boehmtown]

Grab some calcium nitrate to get it back up . I have to dose it back up every few months. There's not a lot of heavy nitrate foods. It's an ammonia byproduct. Could setup a small trickle filter. Could get another fish or two.

 

[Lavey29]

My point is more so them staying down that low for 2-3 weeks with 0 water changes and actually a very high stocking amount

Not uncommon in a newer tank, especially if you added more corals too