Recommended nitrates post cycle.

bjc451 · Nov 13, 2019

Cycle finished 2 days ago. I did about a 50% water change. Before change I was looking what appeared to be 40 nitrates (api). Post water change looked to be about 20 which correlates with the water change. What is a good number to shoot for? Salt 1.025(stupid Red Sea refracto)
Phosphate .039(Hanna ulr)
Diatoms are showing up,

14 foot reef · Nov 13, 2019

The first thing I would do is move away form API test kits. Invest in Red Sea, Salifert, or Nyos. especially for low reading Nitrate accuracy.

Zach W · Nov 13, 2019

I think many people who have been in the hobby for a long time would advise you to not shoot for a specific number and make drastic alterations to get there. At least that is the sentiment I have gotten from similar questions. As a starting point I would shoot for ~10 but once you get corals in let them be your guide. If everything looks happyand healthy you are in good shape. If you notice the corals not doing great, then start considering where your levels are at. I have seen beautiful displays running at near 0 nitrates and phosphates and I have seen equally nice tanks at 20+ nitrates and 0.5+ phosphates, both SPS dominate. Most of those people dont even check their tank chemistry for months! When you start chasing numbers instead of just watching your coral health is when you disrupt the balance of the tank, I have learned this the hard way...

I also agree with the sentiment above, get quality test kits that are reliable

bjc451 · Nov 13, 2019

This is not my first tank. I have other quality tests. This is what it looked like last time

Zach W · Nov 13, 2019

bjc451 said:
This is not my first tank. I have other quality tests. This is what it looked like last time

Looks great! Do you know what your parameters were for that tank, and if so why not just match that?

bjc451 · Nov 13, 2019

I had cycled different last time thats why I asked the question. Last time I had a phosphate problem. I think from the rocks. I bleach cured and LC this time in curing bin. I also got a reactor this time for either gfo/carbon. I ran no chemical media last time.

lapin · Nov 13, 2019

bjc451 said:
Cycle finished 2 days ago. I did about a 50% water change. Before change I was looking what appeared to be 40 nitrates (api). Post water change looked to be about 20 which correlates with the water change. What is a good number to shoot for?

4 to 5 to start off is always good