How can your system survive with zero nitrates over months?
You mean trace, not zero right?
My corals would starve.
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How can your system survive with zero nitrates over months?
I see thanks. I feed heavy and have a good amount of fish so I have no doubt there’s nitrate being produced. I just think algae is eating it. Would you suggest dosing?OP if your tank is a new set up and using dead rock scape you can expect a variety of algae phases over the course of the first year but 0 nitrates means your corals are slowly starving to death. .25 phosphate is slightly elevated but nothing of serious concern especially in a new unstable tank.
I agree, somewhat.OP if your tank is a new set up and using dead rock scape you can expect a variety of algae phases over the course of the first year but 0 nitrates means your corals are slowly starving to death. .25 phosphate is slightly elevated but nothing of serious concern especially in a new unstable tank.
Yes it must be trace. Corals aren’t dying but don’t look amazing. Should I dose nitrates but I’m worried if I do, the algae will just take it upHow can your system survive with zero nitrates over months?
You mean trace, not zero right?
My corals would starve.
I agree. I’m debating adding phosguard in small amount to lower it a bit ~0.1ppm rangeI agree, somewhat.
If your feeding the fish you have nitrate.
Being a new system, are the coral getting enough? This is the question. I don't think the coral will starve in a low nitrate environment with the fish present, but I would absolutely keep an eye on them. If they are starving, dose.
As for phosphate, the rock may or may not come down from 0.25ppm. All depends on how this system runs. To be determined.
Personally, I wouldn't want to start out that high and only have to fight it later. (if it doesn't come down on its own)
Yup, I’d run at least 5-10ppm, zero (in either or both nutrients) is a real bad number as it invites pest algaes.Yes it must be trace. Corals aren’t dying but don’t look amazing. Should I dose nitrates but I’m worried if I do, the algae will just take it up
Could be trace, the Hanna read 0.0ppm.How can your system survive with zero nitrates over months?
You mean trace, not zero right?
My corals would starve.
This is good information! I was going to say my corals seem pretty happy. Especially for the Softies. The LPS Duncan seems a bit ticked off by the higher phosphates. I think my plan might be to try and lower phosphates with phosguard and just keep feedingCould be trace, the Hanna read 0.0ppm.
Before then I was dosing nitrate. After a seminar of coral health, I decided I was doing my coral a disservice by adding the end product(nitrate) when they really want ammonium. I stopped dosing and upped my feeding of fish and added more fish.
The Hanna read 0.0
I watched for changes, nothing came, they looked fine.
That would be the easiest.This is good information! I was going to say my corals seem pretty happy. Especially for the Softies. The LPS Duncan seems a bit ticked off by the higher phosphates. I think my plan might be to try and lower phosphates with phosguard and just keep feeding
Wow.Could be trace, the Hanna read 0.0ppm.
Before then I was dosing nitrate. After a seminar of coral health, I decided I was doing my coral a disservice by adding the end product(nitrate) when they really want ammonium. I stopped dosing and upped my feeding of fish and added more fish.
The Hanna read 0.0
I watched for changes, nothing came, they looked fine.
Proof of my system.Wow.
Life with zero nitrogen.
Very interesting.
Your tank looks stunning, so that’s the proof!
Thanks for the tip. I also hope that by lowering phosphate, nitrate may come back up again as algae begins to passThat would be the easiest.
Try to break up the feedings.
I put an auto feeder on the tank so when I'm at work, they still eat.
I think you are thinking of it backwards.Thanks for the tip. I also hope that by lowering phosphate, nitrate may come back up again as algae begins to pass
I see! I also thought this. Will dosing nitrates also just fuel the algae though? I have no doubt that nitrate is being generate by the fish and feeding, I just think the algae is stripping it.I think you are thinking of it backwards.
Life needs nitrate and phosphate. Or better yet, nitrogen and phosphorus. (N and P)
By not having N, you can't use P. And visa versa. You need both.
Feeding more N will lead to dropping of P as long as you have an export.
Perhaps and in theory you may be right but what do we see most commonly in threads posted here with tanks and 0 nitrates? Coral decline and algae such as dinos. These problem tanks all have fish too. Of course there are exceptions and I think ULNS can work with SPS tanks and very experienced reefers who know what they are doing but not for the majority of us amateurs in the hobby. Tanks with LPS and softs just need good nutrients levels to be successful. I learned this when my tank was young and struggled. Additionally it is very difficult to manage increasing phosphate levels with 0 nitrates which I'm sure you are aware of also.I agree, somewhat.
If your feeding the fish you have nitrate.
Being a new system, are the coral getting enough? This is the question. I don't think the coral will starve in a low nitrate environment with the fish present, but I would absolutely keep an eye on them. If they are starving, dose.
As for phosphate, the rock may or may not come down from 0.25ppm. All depends on how this system runs. To be determined.
Personally, I wouldn't want to start out that high and only have to fight it later. (if it doesn't come down on its own)
Feed the fish, pull the algae.I see! I also thought this. Will dosing nitrates also just fuel the algae though? I have no doubt that nitrate is being generate by the fish and feeding, I just think the algae is stripping it.
Yea WC don’t work :/ I want to try and naturally lower it without additives but nothings working. Just don’t know how it happened but must have been something that happened when I upgraded tanks.Perhaps and in theory you may be right but what do we see most commonly in threads posted here with tanks and 0 nitrates? Coral decline and algae such as dinos. These problem tanks all have fish too. Of course there are exceptions and I think ULNS can work with SPS tanks and very experienced reefers who know what they are doing but not for the majority of us amateurs in the hobby. Tanks with LPS and softs just need good nutrients levels to be successful. I learned this when my tank was young and struggled. Additionally it is very difficult to manage increasing phosphate levels with 0 nitrates which I'm sure you are aware of also.
Thanks. In other words just ride it outFeed the fish, pull the algae.
Is a PITA, but this is what I would do until things get stable.
I think when I see threads of zero po4 and some no3 = problems with dinos, algae.Perhaps and in theory you may be right but what do we see most commonly in threads posted here with tanks and 0 nitrates? Coral decline and algae such as dinos. These problem tanks all have fish too. Of course there are exceptions and I think ULNS can work with SPS tanks and very experienced reefers who know what they are doing but not for the majority of us amateurs in the hobby. Tanks with LPS and softs just need good nutrients levels to be successful. I learned this when my tank was young and struggled. Additionally it is very difficult to manage increasing phosphate levels with 0 nitrates which I'm sure you are aware of also.