Adding Nitrate

[Mr. Roboto]

As I am restarting my old existing tank, pulling out the softies and gearing up for an SPS run, the one thing I dont have is Nitrates. I have never had them, not a single traceable amount since this tank was born. It is a 250g display with a 75g fuge and an over sized skimmer. I have, I think 16 fish at this time and feed everyday sometimes twice a day.

I would like to know if others have ran into this and do I just feed more, a bigger variety of foods, see about adding more livestock, or possibly dose something to kind of help things balance better.

With an phosphate of around .06 -.08 I would think a little more nutrients in the nitrate range couldnt hurt.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you know if the nitrate kit is working?

Assuming it is, feeding more or dosing nitrate are both fine plans.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Do you know if the nitrate kit is working?

Assuming it is, feeding more or dosing nitrate are both fine plans.

Afraid so... LOL I have tested it using my Salifert kit, my Red Sea kit and even took some to the LFS and they ran a API kit through it.. Nada. Never have had an issue with Nitrates or Phosphates in this tank until recently I noticed a Phosphate issue. However, the tank did suffer 2 years of neglect and was (by my kids, me not knowing) topped off with tap water a lot last summer and the RODI filters were not changed. I figure with a few more water changes and a little GFO, these will subside with ease. The only issue I have ever had is the heat.... It just happens to be in a garage and since the chiller went out and nuked everything I havent had the will to restart it until now. Just trying to get everything back in order. Grew a LOT of kenya trees though!