Thank you for sharing your knowledge in this area and helping fellow reefers learn something new.I'm glad that you keep requesting "sources" while completely ignoring the part about study reproducibility. And also the part about osmoregulation. I mentioned the redfield ratio (modified or not) as proof that I'm not talking about freshwater, which was your (evidently) false claim.
Why would you give the ocean as an example? I mean, it's literally the place with almost undetectable Nitrate...
Also, home aquariums are still far away from mimicking anything natural.
Since you're so good at mimicking the wild environment of corals, I bet the lights on your personal reef tank are full-spectrum, correct? Not the blue ones right? Since, you know, most corals in reefs thrive and grow enormous under full-spectrum light, in relatively shallow waters. Since you're so much into the science I bet you have the healthy approach of looking after yours under full-spectrum light for growth and once you're happy with the coral mass, you've gradually switched to spectrums leaning to the blue to put an emphasis on coral coloration, correct? Yeah, I thought so.
Anyway, I understand that you like forum arguments, but when you write a blog you can't risk giving insane advice to your readers. In what world, would anyone in their right mind suggest to newbies to not worry about nitrates and risk killing their fish down the line? That's given how things in the scientific community are and cartels incentivizing biased "studies". Statistics is literally the right hand of manipulation. Numbers don't lie, but their interpretations - very often do.
Anyhow - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3167306/ - Here, a study suggests that increased nitrate content does lead to stress in marine fish (oh no, controversial data!?). I'm sure you never claimed that high nitrate does not stress fish, just that they can tolerate it... I guess that's irrelevant when arguing online. However, someone that cares how their pet fish feel may not find it as irrelevant. I think this forum is dedicated to fishkeeping?
Also, from the same study: "Increased levels of nitrate in the water and prolonged environmental hypoxia are two environmental conditions that are very often observed in intensive fish farming." *wink wink*
Btw, the study you linked in your previous post suggests no more than 20 NO3-N/l for marine animals. This is roughly 90 ppm. It's literally mentioned in the Abstract of the study.
Also, your favorite "LC 50" quote has only been tested for hours, except for one study that tested catfish for 160 days or so.
I dare you to show me a study that provides data about marine fishes living in super high nitrate content for years (as you claim is ok for home aquaria).
Hint: there's none, and I guess your claims are pretty "unsourced".
Just a side note, since I know you'll cling to this - I still argue that nitrate is toxic to marine fish with long exposure times. Not that they can't withstand it in the short run.
Btw2, do you know why no study has tested how fish would fare when exposed to high nitrate for years? Because this kind of data is of no use to fish farming cartels. They don't keep fish for too long. The ocean and nature in general, however, beg to differ.
Side note - why would you boast your bad aquarium husbandry as evidence for anything?
Why do you exclude the possibility of you just shortening the lifespan of fish that were in good hands for years prior to your take on that tank? Guilty until proven innocent, I guess.
Idk, you want more evidence? - check nature, perhaps? Literally, point me to a natural marine environment with these insane levels of Nitrate.
I'm now certain you praise yourself as a "science person" yet ask no questions when there are controversial data presented. You just choose a side and stick to it. The core nature of science is to ask questions.
So given the fact, that I proved you made several false claims about my articles (didn't bother reading, and straightforward lied) in your previous reply, I think it's safe to say you're the kind of person who'd just parrot opinions in echo chambers.
In other words - you shouldn't talk to me (or anyone else for that matter) about science... You've no clue what that word means, as it's anything else but parroting.
P.S. - People, if you value the longevity of your saltwater pet fish - please don't subject them to high nitrate for too long!
