Nitrates phosphates

[Misha]

My nitrates are around 2ppm and my phosphates between 0.03 and 0, maybe 0.015?
I will include pictures of my tests (salifert)

Are those too low?

I have little green hair algae, diatoms are finally decreasing, and a little cyano. I make my own 0ppm RODI and use red sea salt. What can I do to get rid of the GHA and the cyano?

Nitrate

Phosphate

 

[hyprc]

You mention diatoms which means its probably a very young system? I'd expect 'uglies' for at least the first year (cyano being one of the longer-lasting uglies). Your nutrients look good, some may like nitrate a little higher but not much. I would just focus on making sure po4 doesn't start creeping and doing regular maintenance. Keep doing what you're doing and keep testing basically. If cyano is still around after a year or so, then consider chemical treatments like azithromycin, etc. but not before IMO.

 

[Misha]

You mention diatoms which means its probably a very young system? I'd expect 'uglies' for at least the first year (cyano being one of the longer-lasting uglies). Your nutrients look good, some may like nitrate a little higher but not much. I would just focus on making sure po4 doesn't start creeping and doing regular maintenance. Keep doing what you're doing and keep testing basically. If cyano is still around after a year or so, then consider chemical treatments like azithromycin, etc. but not before IMO.

Yes 3,5 months old now. What are ways to increase no3 levels?

 

[hyprc]

Yes 3,5 months old now. What are ways to increase no3 levels?

Lots of people will recommend stump remover which I HATE because it's KNo3, which means it's also increasing your potassium, and it's not tested for purity (why would it be, it's sump remover...). This is dangerous as very few people actually test for K and an excess will harm corals. I've been using LoudWolf Sodium Nitrate which will only increase Nitrate and salinity (I do a 15% water change every ~6 months and have noticed ZERO increase in salinity FYI). It's an ideal solution as far as what's currently on offer in the market as far as purity/cost/etc goes IMO. I wouldn't go above 10/20. Keep in mind even nitrate is toxic to fish at higher levels.

Other methods you should try first are: neglecting cleaning your filter sock / turning off or just removing the cup from your skimmer. Remember, the only good changes are SLOW changes ;)

 

[Misha]

Lots of people will recommend stump remover which I HATE because it's KNo3, which means it's also increasing your potassium, and it's not tested for purity (why would it be, it's sump remover...). This is dangerous as very few people actually test for K and an excess will harm corals. I've been using LoudWolf Sodium Nitrate which will only increase Nitrate and salinity (I do a 15% water change every ~6 months and have noticed ZERO increase in salinity FYI). It's an ideal solution as far as what's currently on offer in the market as far as purity/cost/etc goes IMO. I wouldn't go above 10/20. Keep in mind even nitrate is toxic to fish at higher levels.

Other methods you should try first are: neglecting cleaning your filter sock / turning off or just removing the cup from your skimmer. Remember, the only good changes are SLOW changes ;)

Thanks for your honest opinion. I only saw posts how to decrease nitrates etc never seen one about increasing ;). At this point I’m not going to add nitrates, maybe parttime skimming is an option?

 

[lapin]

Over time by feeding your fish the nitrates and phosphates will increase.
Algae and cyano will go away with time as long as you do water changes and scrub / siphon out the tank. At this point I would not use any chemicals that could upset your growing bacteria.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Those levels are not to low for a new tank. If you started with dry rock, don't be in a hurry to elevate them. That might start an algae problem. If they get a little higher, that is ok, but new tanks with dry rock need lower nutrients to allow other desirable bacteria and life to populate the rock before algae can take over. Nitrate between 2-3 and phosphate between 0.02-0.05 would be best IMO.

 

[hyprc]

Thanks for your honest opinion. I only saw posts how to decrease nitrates etc never seen one about increasing ;). At this point I’m not going to add nitrates, maybe parttime skimming is an option?

Part time skimming is always an option. Might want to run it at night to keep ph from dipping too much while the lights are off.

 

[jtl]

I think your numbers are fine but if you need to dose nitrate I used NeoNitro with good results.