Nitrate

[Juliano]

My nitrates are reading 0ppm is this a problem an if so how do I raise them?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The easy way is to feed more.

 

[saltnewb]

Is this a new tank? Also is the tank empty of any living things?

 

[Juliano]

Tanks been up for a year now I have 2 platinum clowns an a yellow wrasse an like 30 somethin corals

 

[Juliano]

Here's my readings from today Ph 8.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm

 

[TbyZ]

My nitrates are reading 0ppm is this a problem

Do you have any reason for concern?

 

[donnievaz]

What test kit? It may not be 0, just low.

 

[Juliano]

Do you have any reason for concern?

Just that 2 sticks bleached on me an I was tryin to go threw all my steps to make sure I didn't do something wrong

 

[Juliano]

What test kit? It may not be 0, just low.

Api test kit

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Assuming you acclimated the coral, yea It could be a problem. Feeding or Nitrate dosing.

 

[Juliano]

No corals been in tank for some time I did a water change had to bring salt back down must of fluctuated to fast that's my only thought for them to bleach I was just concerned with my nitrates an wanted to make sure it wasn't a problem being at 0 with that being said I'm guessing it was lowering salt to fast

 

[Juliano]

I feed pellets cause I don't want another algae bloom from feeding brine or any mix of food

 

[donnievaz]

Api test kit

I used to get consistent readings of zero with the API. When I switched to Red Sea it showed that it was around 4ppm.

 

[Juliano]

Ok as long as it's low I'm fine with that just was weighing out my options I'm guessing I brought down the salt to fast which most likely stressed 2 sticks

 

[donnievaz]

No corals been in tank for some time I did a water change had to bring salt back down must of fluctuated to fast that's my only thought for them to bleach I was just concerned with my nitrates an wanted to make sure it wasn't a problem being at 0 with that being said I'm guessing it was lowering salt to fast

More likely an alk spike. Low to no nutrients and a sudden hike in alkalinity is a recipe for disaster. I've torched a few SPS this way.

 

[Juliano]

Yea it has to be something not that serious cause all my other sticks an corals are fine

 

[donnievaz]

Ok as long as it's low I'm fine with that just was weighing out my options I'm guessing I brought down the salt to fast which most likely stressed 2 sticks

You'll never know if it's low unless you get a test that can detect low levels. I use Red Sea and API interchangeably. When it gets to the point that the API reads zero, I switch to the Red Sea and vice versa.

 

[Juliano]

Ok sounds good just to make sure ones reading wright I appreciate the Info I'm gonna give that a try see what my results are

 

[donnievaz]

Yea it has to be something not that serious cause all my other sticks an corals are fine

Some are more prone to it than others. I don't know what you have but for me, birdsnest is usually the first to show the effects.

 

[Juliano]

Yea one of my birds nest did