Hi all
So I have been wondering about Nitrate and Phosphate levels and SPS, which require some amounts to be present, optimally. My understanding is very clearly not correct, so I need some R2R education.
How does one achieve measurable nitrates and phosphates, because my observation is that Nitrate and Phosphate seem to always be zero in my new tank with small frags.
I feed heavy, Nitrate and Phosphates rise, immediately get consumed by algae, so the readings become zero. I remove the algae and now feed less often, with again Nitrates and Phosphates reading zero due to immediate consumption by smaller amounts of algae. Algae is omnipresent in all tanks to some degree, so is always ready to go to consume these nutrients.
Does it not follow that any detectable Nitrates or Phosphates immediately are consumed by algae, given SPS levels of lighting? And therefore, it is difficult to raise those levels at all ? I don't understand how it is possible to have sustained levels of these two things without immediate consumption.
I must the thinking about this incorrectly, so help a fella out here
So I have been wondering about Nitrate and Phosphate levels and SPS, which require some amounts to be present, optimally. My understanding is very clearly not correct, so I need some R2R education.
How does one achieve measurable nitrates and phosphates, because my observation is that Nitrate and Phosphate seem to always be zero in my new tank with small frags.
I feed heavy, Nitrate and Phosphates rise, immediately get consumed by algae, so the readings become zero. I remove the algae and now feed less often, with again Nitrates and Phosphates reading zero due to immediate consumption by smaller amounts of algae. Algae is omnipresent in all tanks to some degree, so is always ready to go to consume these nutrients.
Does it not follow that any detectable Nitrates or Phosphates immediately are consumed by algae, given SPS levels of lighting? And therefore, it is difficult to raise those levels at all ? I don't understand how it is possible to have sustained levels of these two things without immediate consumption.
I must the thinking about this incorrectly, so help a fella out here