0 nitrates, 3 month old tank

[Scottayy]

I've had my 13.5 fluval evo running for about 3 months.

I started off battling high nitrates. I cut back on the feeding and I change 4 gallons of water every Sunday.

For the past 2 weeks I'm measuring 0 nitrates. I don't have a phosphate test at the moment.

Is this a bad thing? Should I try to get them measurable? If so, how?

It should be noted I only have 2 corals, GSP and a single mushroom.

 

[Spare time]

How much do you feed?

 

[Scottayy]

How much do you feed?

Pellets, twice a day. Enough they'll eat in 1 minute. There's usually no leftover.

Frozen mysis 1-2 times a week.

Just got reef roids and have used that only once, I figured once a week.

I have a fluval ps2 skimmer and it's stopped producing gunk (bubbles aren't accumulating up the neck). I suspect because the water is too clean.

Current stocking is the 2 mentioned corals and 2 baby clownfish and clean up crew.

 

[131696]

Changing to much water at 1 time slow it down

 

[Scottayy]

Changing to much water at 1 time slow it down

I can switch to every other week.

Would 4 gallons every other week be ok? Or should I do less than that?

I can feed a little sloppy again, too.

Should i stagger my skimmer? I have smart plugs so I could schedule it on and off.

 

[Little c big D]

I can switch to every other week.

Would 4 gallons every other week be ok? Or should I do less than that?

I can feed a little sloppy again, too.

Should i stagger my skimmer? I have smart plugs so I could schedule it on and off.

Don't do anything too fast. Your nitrates are 0 but what negative affects are happening? Dinos blooming? Corals look un healthy? If there is nothing bad happening I would slowly increase feeding and test weekly if you want to see it. My biggest advice is take it slow on a tank so new. It's still establishing itself and anything changed can have a big effect on 13gallons

 

[Scottayy]

Don't do anything too fast. Your nitrates are 0 but what negative affects are happening? Dinos blooming? Corals look un healthy? If there is nothing bad happening I would slowly increase feeding and test weekly if you want to see it. My biggest advice is take it slow on a tank so new. It's still establishing itself and anything changed can have a big effect on 13gallons

Nope, nothing bad happening.

My GSP doesn't show visible growth, but I've only had it 2 weeks.

They look fine.

So, how about this.. Feed a little extra and change 2 gallons a week?

That's a subtle change.

I'm really good at being patient. I just need to know the right thing to do.

I'm torn between 2 gallons a week, or 4 gallons every 2 weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The water changes are not the primary issue, and I wouldn't change your plan just because of it.


Feeding more is a good first thing to do, as might be nitrate dosing.

 

[Scottayy]

The water changes are not the primary issue, and I wouldn't change your plan just because of it.


Feeding more is a good first thing to do, as might be nitrate dosing.

Ok thank you

 

[damsels are not mean]

It should be noted I only have 2 corals, GSP and a single mushroom.

Are they growing?

 

[Scottayy]

Are they growing?

I've only had them 2 weeks. Is that enough to notice growth?

Because if so, no growth.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Pellets, twice a day. Enough they'll eat in 1 minute. There's usually no leftover.

Frozen mysis 1-2 times a week.

Just got reef roids and have used that only once, I figured once a week.

I have a fluval ps2 skimmer and it's stopped producing gunk (bubbles aren't accumulating up the neck). I suspect because the water is too clean.

Current stocking is the 2 mentioned corals and 2 baby clownfish and clean up crew.

Have you had anyone verify that your reading is correct, such as a LFS? What test kits are you using?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've only had them 2 weeks. Is that enough to notice growth?

Because if so, no growth.

Most corals will not grow noticeably within 2 weeks of a move, even in perfect conditions.

 

[Scottayy]

Have you had anyone verify that your reading is correct, such as a LFS? What test kits are you using?

No I haven't. I'm using api. However it does detect nitrates, as I've used it and it's detected high nitrates in the past. So if I don't have 0 it's really low. Which is good I guess.

What is a good nitrate test? The Hannah?

I don't want to over react. I'll probably just feed a little messier and see where things are at in a couple weeks.

 

[Scottayy]

Most corals will not grow noticeably within 2 weeks of a move, even in perfect conditions.

This is good to know, thank you. Also the GSP rock I got is pretty much completely filled. I'll probably need to touch it to another rock piece to notice any growth there.

 

[Spare time]

Pellets, twice a day. Enough they'll eat in 1 minute. There's usually no leftover.

Frozen mysis 1-2 times a week.

Just got reef roids and have used that only once, I figured once a week.

I have a fluval ps2 skimmer and it's stopped producing gunk (bubbles aren't accumulating up the neck). I suspect because the water is too clean.

Current stocking is the 2 mentioned corals and 2 baby clownfish and clean up crew.

You can feed more if you'd like. The young clowns will benefit, especially if you are using adult food which is lower in macronutrients. I would highly recommend getting a quality phosphate test kit. It is good to keep track of this in a young tank.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

No I haven't. I'm using api. However it does detect nitrates, as I've used it and it's detected high nitrates in the past. So if I don't have 0 it's really low. Which is good I guess.

What is a good nitrate test? The Hannah?

I don't want to over react. I'll probably just feed a little messier and see where things are at in a couple weeks.

RedSea is a good test kit for NO3. With API, I have seen 10ppm NO3 look like 0. With RedSea, the water is clear at 0ppm. Any color whatsoever means you have NO3.