No nitrates with phosphates. Issues?

[Heres_doe_]

As title says. Nitrates 0 phosphates Less than .2 running ats 18/6. Was 24/7. after I seen them both bottom out ran less. I think Phosphates remain present as I feed a diy mixed food with spirulina. I turned off my skimmer but still no nitrates. Idk if it’s a false reading because I feed multiple times a day. Currently no corals just a toadstool leather. Want to get everything dialed in before adding sps.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

I'd consider testing nitrate with a different test kit if possible. If you do actually have zero nitrate like myself it would be handy to have a bottle of calcium nitrate kicking around to give it a bump every once in awhile. I'm using ESV nitrate and have really good results using it.

 

[Heres_doe_]

I'd consider testing nitrate with a different test kit if possible. If you do actually have zero nitrate like myself it would be handy to have a bottle of calcium nitrate kicking around to give it a bump every once in awhile. I'm using ESV nitrate and have really good results using it.

Tried salifert and Hanna. Plus the hands reads as it was reading before. New reagents as well

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If it is low, I’d feed more or dose N as nitrate or ammonium.

 

[Heres_doe_]

If it is low, I’d feed more or dose N as nitrate or ammonium.

I can’t feed any more only phosphates going up because of spirulina

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I can’t feed any more only phosphates going up because of spirulina

You could feed more, since 0.2 ppm phosphate is not a big problem, but I agree that dosing N is a good choice.

 

[FOWLROOKIE]

You could feed more, since 0.2 ppm phosphate is not a big problem, but I agree that dosing N is a good choice.

Hello! I happen to have similar issue, I just got into the soft corals ( zoas, candy canes, gsp, hairy leather) I happen to run an extremely clean set up( 90 gal 29 sump, uv, socks, skimmer, fuge, filter floss, carbon reactor ) my phos are 0.03 and nitrates are steady at 0.0. I’ve turned the skimmer off completely for two weeks, feeding more , nitrates are still 0.0. Got some Esv N but I’m nervous about starting to dose…..any input/advice?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello! I happen to have similar issue, I just got into the soft corals ( zoas, candy canes, gsp, hairy leather) I happen to run an extremely clean set up( 90 gal 29 sump, uv, socks, skimmer, fuge, filter floss, carbon reactor ) my phos are 0.03 and nitrates are steady at 0.0. I’ve turned the skimmer off completely for two weeks, feeding more , nitrates are still 0.0. Got some Esv N but I’m nervous about starting to dose…..any input/advice?

I’d dose and not be nervous about it. lol

 

[FOWLROOKIE]

I’d dose and not be nervous about it. lol

When dosing should I turn the skimmer back on?

 

[dieselkeeper]

I’d dose and not be nervous about it. lol

I dose nitrates because they go to zero. Loudwolf 40 mil a day. Been so for a few years without any issues. How long has the tank been setup?

 

[FOWLROOKIE]

I dose nitrates because they go to zero. Loudwolf 40 mil a day. Been so for a few years without any issues. How long has the tank been setup?

Tank has been running for about 2 1/2 years with no issues thank God

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

When dosing should I turn the skimmer back on?

I’d keep a skimmer running to provide aeration if nothing else, but dosing nitrate does not increase a need for aeration.

 

[FOWLROOKIE]

I’d keep a skimmer running to provide aeration if nothing else, but dosing nitrate does not increase a need for aeration.

My turnover rate is 4.5 the volume
There is plenty of aeration , should I turn the skimmer on regardless?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My turnover rate is 4.5 the volume
There is plenty of aeration , should I turn the skimmer on regardless?

Reef tanks never have complete aeration. If they did, pH would not vary day to night.