Zero Nitrates

[xabo]

Did a test tonight and have the following results using Salifert test kits:

Alk 8.3
Cal 480
Mag 1500
Phos 0.06 (Hanna Checker)
N03 0

Is the zero N03 a problem?

 

[bar|none]

What test kit for No3?

 

[xabo]

Salifert for all but the P04.

 

[MERKEY]

Do you have an algea problem?

Usually with low/no po4 and no3 you will see some things start popping up.....however if it's being processed all correctly I wouldnt think too much of it.

Do you run carbon alone or something like chemipure?

 

[xabo]

Other than green film algae on the glass i do have a rock covered in a dark reddish/brownish film type algae. I do have cheato in my fuge.

 

[bar|none]

I use the red sea for for that, but seems Salifert can read to low levels, ie: .2 min?

Personally when I get there I dose a bit of Nitrate to keep from bottoming, and then monitor.

If I'm carbon dosing then I stop for a while.

Feed a bit more as well.

After dinos (past horrible experience) I do not let No3 or Po4 bottom at 0 for more than a day. If I'm even .25 -.5 No3 or .03 PO4 I don't worry.

But others have more experience.

 

[xabo]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[bar|none]

I should explain why I dose nitrate in this case (Brightwell NeoNitrate).

I don't want to be dosing nitrate but it is the fastest correction to get off rock bottom.

I dose enough the raise NO3 .1 ppm only

At the same time you can start using the slower levers to balance out longer term.

Do the same for PO4 - NeoPhosphate or other.

 

[xabo]

Thanks

 

[SeaDweller]

It can be a problem, yes. I’ve been close to zero without problems, but I wouldn’t want to stay at zero. youre starving your corals of an N source with no NH3\NO3. Feed more, skim dry, run fuge light less, etc

is the brow/red film growing on your rocks cyano?

 

[xabo]

Appears to be some type of cyano