High nitrates and high phosphates

[Jhernandez675]

Hello, Ive had my first saltwater tank set up for a year. I recently started dosing alk, mag, calcium and have been lowering my nitrate and phosphate levels down to get ready for my first corals. My current dkh is at 12.35, nitrate .26 ppm and phosphate at .30 ppm. I've had a long tentacle anemone in this tank for about two months and it's been thriving. Are these parameters good for corals? Or should I lower them. I wanted to go with Ips such as hammers, candy canes, maybe even torches down the future.

 

[KrisReef]

LPS seem to like "dirtier" tanks and your N & P levels should be fine for them. SPS appreciate cleaner water, and stability is also very important.

 

[Doctorgori]

that’s no emergency really, I wouldn’t panic …
I don’t like running my Alk that high but that number isn’t outta the question ….
Personally I’d just do water changes, but other options and opinions are probably equally valid

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Removing the tag. :)

If you want nitrate and phosphate lower, there are many ways to accomplish it:

https://www.reefedition.com/phosphate-in-the-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley/
https://www.reefedition.com/nitrate-in-the-reef-aquarium/

 

[Terry Le]

I wouldn’t dose unless you need to. Check Alk, Cal. Mag every week keep track of your numbers to see how much your tank used up then dose if need. 12.35 dKh is high. I keep my at 8.6

 

[Jhernandez675]

Do you think a candy cane coral would do well in these parameters. I’m just paranoid that they won’t do well

 

[PotatoPig]

Nutrients seem fine, alk is a little high, if you’re adding stony corals you’ll need to also check for calcium.

If you’ve got an anemone doing well then it’s a reasonable expectation that Softies and LPS will do well, SPS can be more temperamental but these systems are also extremely complex so you can’t really say the parameters are too high or not for them. There are folks on here who run SPS with similar nutrients as you, and folks who struggle but have much lower nutrients.

Other than that the biggest factor for any of these creatures will be stability. Don’t make any sudden changes.

 

[Terry Le]

Do you think a candy cane coral would do well in these parameters. I’m just paranoid that they won’t do well

Yes a candy cane will do fine. Corals will adapt to your parameters. Just make sure that it solid and if you do change then change very slowly