Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

I get the phosphate thing it definitely helps algae grow so it makes sense other things would grow .. which im starting to get some red in sump I'm sure because of it. I'm not sure how your getting a 20x1 ratio. That seems a much closer than thought. If phosphate is .25ppm than nitrate needs to be under 5ppm that seems like really high phosphate and low nitrate.. am I not following on something. What are your phosphate nitrate levels?

Also as I stated last night, this is the consideration in the absence of algae. Simply nutrient levels tested on corals, ceteris paribus.
 
You’re once again seeing this as me making a recommendation on levels, I’ve never done such a thing.

Simply providing data that shows what the cause of coral bleaching and low polyp extension is in the majority of cases.

After reading all night essentially, the vast majority of coral bleaching is from phosphate deficiency and something people need to take more seriously.

The more you know, the better your reef tank will be.
I was actually responding to your comment that you were dispelling ‘myths’ recommended by BRS. I agree that it initially appeared to me (for much of our discussion last night) that you were recommending an increase in phosphate levels, and I was responding accordingly. I’ll also freely admit to not having personally tested my phosphates a single time. Don’t own a test for them, except my eyes. Algae grows in my tank, and I know what sort of filtration I’m using...definitely not concerned about zero nutrient levels!

However, after all those fantastic articles, I’m very curious about where I’m at (my corals put out new growth almost every day it seems) and am about to take some water to my LFS.
 
I mean, just look at this guy! I haven’t even fed the tank yet today. The little heads on the edges were just specks 2 days ago and didn’t exist a week ago.
54B73C1D-EA16-4B4C-8517-58E1323DC747.jpeg
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I was actually responding to your comment that you were dispelling ‘myths’ recommended by BRS. I agree that it initially appeared to me (for much of our discussion last night) that you were recommending an increase in phosphate levels, and I was responding accordingly. I’ll also freely admit to not having personally tested my phosphates a single time. Don’t own a test for them, except my eyes. Algae grows in my tank, and I know what sort of filtration I’m using...definitely not concerned about zero nutrient levels!

However, after all those fantastic articles, I’m very curious about where I’m at (my corals put out new growth almost every day it seems) and am about to take some water to my LFS.

If anything, just reduce nitrate. The articles go on to mention that it’s when that balance of 16-20 is disrupted that algae can utilize the phosphate. Algae utilizes higher nitrate though so even at higher phosphate levels algae are unable to use the phosphate since there isn’t enough nitrate.

So high phosphate levels are alright, as long as nitrate doesn’t break that 20x which arguably makes the situation much worse than if the balance was disrupted in nitrates favor at lower levels.

.5 nitrate is fine as long as phosphate is around .02-.03.

It’s a balance thing more than a absolute level thing.
 
If anything, just reduce nitrate. The articles go on to mention that it’s when that balance of 16-20 is disrupted that algae can utilize the phosphate. Algae utilizes higher nitrate though so even at higher phosphate levels algae are unable to use the phosphate since there isn’t enough nitrate.

So high phosphate levels are alright, as long as nitrate doesn’t break that 20x which arguably makes the situation much worse.

.5 nitrate is fine as long as phosphate is around .02-.03.

It’s a balance thing more than a absolute level thing.
With my API test I can’t detect nitrates in my tank. When I fragged these zoas and put them on the side of the rock, there were 3 heads about 1.5 months ago. They have gotten used to my tank, light and flow and grown this much since then.
A2C3FE90-BC5E-4FB9-9F41-22696ED43F4B.jpeg
 
With my API test I can’t detect nitrates in my tank. When I fragged these zoas and put them on the side of the rock, there were 3 heads about 1.5 months ago. They have gotten used to my tank, light and flow and grown this much since then.
A2C3FE90-BC5E-4FB9-9F41-22696ED43F4B.jpeg

It’s looking great!
 

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