What level nutrients you running for reef tank?

[ctylermast]

Is everyone running an ultra low nutrient system like <5 nitrate and .01-.03 phos. Or is anyone running a thriving tank with higher? Love to see pics

 

[edsbeaker]

I would say that ULN tanks are much rarer than they were a few years ago. The recent thinking is that corals need some nutrients. I have mostly softies and LPS, so I don’t have any concerns keeping them higher, but mine tend to stay around 10-15 for Nitrates, and .1-.15 for phosphates.

Here’s a recent video

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I show great tank examples with a super wide range of nutrients here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1087/
From it:

4. What targets seem reasonable? Of course, that depends on all the other factors at play, such as types of corals, availability of ammonia, particulate foods, etc. However, for a mature mixed reef, this would be how I personally would run it:

• Let nitrate float between 5 ppm and 50 ppm. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above 50 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by organic carbon dosing, turf or macroalgae, etc.
• Below 5 ppm, I’d begin to dose ammonia or feed more. The target level might drop lower if dosing ammonia, just like the heavy in/heavy out scenario where nitrate may not be as needed.
• Let phosphate float between about 0.06 ppm and 0.3 ppm. This range is higher than I’ve recommended in the past. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above about 0.3 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by turf or macroalgae, or a binder such as GFO or lanthanum (has its own risks to tangs). If a binder: GO SLOW. Turf and macroalgae will typically be slow enough.
• Below 0.06 ppm, I’d begin to dose sodium phosphate or feed more to get the level up.

I

 

[CHSUB]

ULNS are really only achieved by super charging bacteria, some methods include sulfur reactors, bio-pellets, or carbon dosing. My system has moderately low nutrients achieved with only a protein skimmer and wc with No3 at 0.25 ppm and po4 at 0.08ppm; it has levels many times higher than a natural reef or an ULNS. I would call a system an ULNS with levels of no3 at < .1 ppm and po4 at .005 ppm, these levels would be below hobby test kit resolution and imo would require direct coral feeding.

Here are some pictures of my system.

 

[vlangel]

I actually intentionally run my tank with high nutrients; NO3-30ppm and PO4- .5ppm so that I can grow a diversity of macroalgae along with a mixed reef.

 

[Aquadude1]

Personally, after my tank stabilized and got past the ugly phase with dinos and hair algea, I stopped testing. When that was going on I kept phosphate >= 0.3 and nitrate >= 20.

The only reason I would test again is if my coral started looking bad.

 

[Scallopking]

Phos 0.06 Nitrate 0. I dose Plus-NP daily.

 

[ctylermast]

I would say that ULN tanks are much rarer than they were a few years ago. The recent thinking is that corals need some nutrients. I have mostly softies and LPS, so I don’t have any concerns keeping them higher, but mine tend to stay around 10-15 for Nitrates, and .1-.15 for phosphates.

Here’s a recent video

How do you avoid algeas when keeping your nutrients in those levels

 

[ctylermast]

Phos 0.06 Nitrate 0. I dose Plus-NP daily.

How long have you had your nitrates zerod out?

 

[TLO45]

20-25 NO3
.15-.20 PO4

 

[edsbeaker]

How do you avoid algeas when keeping your nutrients in those levels

I was a bit more careful during the ugly stage about keeping levels a bit lower and also . kept my lights at a more limited intensity and schedule. I also just let everything run its course without adding any types of quick fixes. After that I was lucky to have a huge amount of coralline algae cover everything within 3-4 months which I believe helped.

I also believe live rock, even just some, is a big help.

 

[skey44]

Today’s testing.

Pardon the dirty glass but the tank is happy today.

 

[Scallopking]

How long have you had your nitrates zerod out?

For at least 6 months now. I was bottomed out on both for a while.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My phosphate always less then .05 and nitrate never higher than 10, I prefer around 5

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How do you avoid algeas when keeping your nutrients in those levels

I think the idea that one can deter algae by keeping nutrients low has limited utility since to drive nutrients low enough that algae is killed is also hurting corals.

 

[skey44]

Phos 0.06 Nitrate 0. I dose Plus-NP daily.

Your corals definitely have the ULNS look. I think it’s beautiful

 

[tbrown]

I don't usually talk about my nutrients....

Last night's check was:

Nitrates - 17
Phosphates - 0.59

 

[Rocks reef]

I saw it mentioned that our tanks usually have higher nutrients than the ocean has... which is correct. However, the corals in the ocean have a constant food source coming from more than just NO3 and PO4. They are awash in a "sea" of microorganisms.

Back to this thread. My numbers from last night were NO3 6.5 and PO4 was 0.11. Both of which have dropped quite a bit in a week since changing up my feeding regime. I normally keep my NO3 around 20 and PO4 around 0.2

 

[tbrown]

I saw it mentioned that our tanks usually have higher nutrients than the ocean has... which is correct. However, the corals in the ocean have a constant food source coming from more than just NO3 and PO4. They are awash in a "sea" of microorganisms.

Back to this thread. My numbers from last night were NO3 6.5 and PO4 was 0.11. Both of which have dropped quite a bit in a week since changing up my feeding regime. I normally keep my NO3 around 20 and PO4 around 0.2

 

[Rocks reef]

I increased my ammonium bicarbonate and sodium phosphate dose!