High Nitrate & Phosphate but sps look great

  • Thread starter Thread starter bonomo53
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None
To the op, .12 is not super high po4. Yes, I see reduced SPS growth at that level, but colors can look just great and growth good enough. As for your nitrates, I don't think they're that high. That is the newer salifert color card. IME the colors are off (there are several threads on it). Basically the color shown is 1 section higher than the reality. Im my case no3 was reading 50ppm with new color card, old color card read 25ppm, nyos + red sea kits read 25ppm also.

Over the last 2 years I ran my reef with nitrates over 50ppm and po4 last high as .24. My preference is nitrate level of 5ppm-10ppm and low po4 (0.0-.03) on a low range hanna tester. At these levels I always got the best mix of fast growth + rich colors. I know the popular term is "not to chase numbers" but I disagree. These numbers serve as guidelines, and I see the same results repeatedly at the same levels.

Here is a video from yesterday with nitrates about 15ppm and phosphates @ .04
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
To the op, .12 is not super high po4. Yes, I see reduced SPS growth at that level, but colors can look just great and growth good enough. As for your nitrates, I don't think they're that high. That is the newer salifert color card. IME the colors are off (there are several threads on it). Basically the color shown is 1 section higher than the reality. Im my case no3 was reading 50ppm with new color card, old color card read 25ppm, nyos + red sea kits read 25ppm also.

Over the last 2 years I ran my reef with nitrates over 50ppm and po4 last high as .24. My preference is nitrate level of 5ppm-10ppm and low po4 (0.0-.03) on a low range hanna tester. At these levels I always got the best mix of fast growth + rich colors. I know the popular term is "not to chase numbers" but I disagree. These numbers serve as guidelines, and I see the same results repeatedly at the same levels.

Here is a video from yesterday with nitrates about 15ppm and phosphates @ .04
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Great info tanks for the help. i knew the nitrate had to be off but didnt know the new kits had an issue thanks for the heads up... BTW your tank looks amazing
 

WHAT’S USUALLY THE FIRST CLUE THAT SOMETHING IS OFF IN YOUR REEF?

  • A fish’s behavior or appetite changes

    Votes: 10 14.5%
  • A coral looks different or stops opening normally

    Votes: 43 62.3%
  • Water clarity or surface appearance changes

    Votes: 10 14.5%
  • Equipment sounds or flow seem different

    Votes: 7 10.1%
  • A test result catches my attention

    Votes: 14 20.3%
  • Algae or other growth starts changing

    Votes: 14 20.3%
  • I usually notice when the problem is already obvious

    Votes: 3 4.3%
  • It depends on what’s going on

    Votes: 13 18.8%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 1 1.4%
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