Tank parameter feedback

[muggle0981]

Trying to figure out why my nitrates are spiking a bit

Parameters
Alk 8.9

Magnesium 1170-ran out of buffer-and just got some-

Phosphate .17-have run between .12-.17-when i dip lower corals show it

Calcium 410

Nitrates have always ran 15-20 have spiked recently bow running 24-27

Added 3 bangaii cardinal about 2 months ago-12 fish in tank

180g mixed reef

Run a refugium with chaeto

My dragon favia and war coral are showing recession

Just annoyed

 

[muggle0981]

And i onow its not about chasing numbers if tank is fine

 

[Garf]

Wouldn't worry about nitrate so much, mine are 40 ish.

 

[mcarroll]

My dragon favia and war coral are showing recession

If you test other parameters like salinity (etc) can you post those numbers too?

How is your chaeto doing? Dying? Harvesting like crazy?

Do you have a ton of other corals not having problems, and it's just these two with issues?

If cheato is doing well and no other corals are having issues, I'd say look to other causes....not nutrients. (Low PO4 could do this in theory, but yours is fine.....maybe double check your test kit and results?)

I wonder if (eg.) a fish, shrimp or another coral that could be irritating these two? In a mixed reef you have two similar corals being "irritated" too....coincidence?

FYI, I think your nitrates just rose inline with your added bio-load....and N seems well-balanced enough with P IMO. Not really a spike per se....but it is a signal about the state of your bio-load vs the capability and needs of the system. As long as your corals love it, then that's the only judgement you need about it though. Just something to keep in mind. :)

How old is this system? Can you post a full tank shot?

Oh....for Mg to drop that far, I'm guessing you aren't doing water changes? If not, are you just dosing two-part instead, or...?