High nitrates and low phosphates in cycling tank

[Thatreefguy88]

My 40 gallon tank has been cycling for just over a month now. I started the cycle with Dr Tim's pure ammonia, and dosed brightwell microbacter7. Ammonia and nitrate have been zero for two weeks. Had a slight algea bloom with the Nitrate at 18ppm and phosphates at .09. The algea has all but disappeared, while the nitrates remain high at 16ppm, (hanna test/api to confirm) and phosphates are zero (hanna test) My question is, why is the algea dying while the nitrate remains high?

Other parameters: salinity 1.024, ph 8.1, magnesium 1300, alk 8.7, temp 78.

 

[Jedi Knghit]

Algae needs nitrates and phosphates to grow, and 16 ppm nitrates isn't that high.

 

[Thatreefguy88]

Algae needs nitrates and phosphates to grow, and 16 ppm nitrates isn't that high.

I realize that 16ppm isn't really "high". It's just higher than what I keep my tanks at, typically. Ok, I did not realize that algea had to have both to trive. I guess I just assumed that either or would do it. ‍♂