Do you nitrates?

LiveFreeAndReef · Dec 17, 2021

Just wondering what everyone is running for nitrates in your aquariums! I personally keep mine between 15-20ppm at all times, but I know there's a million ways to skin a reef!

Gtinnel · Dec 17, 2021

I used to stay between 0-5 but really I would've preferred them higher. For several months now they've been between 5-10 which is where I'd like them to stay.

Arego · Dec 17, 2021

10-20, right now it's 25 though, or was two days ago.

SlugSnorter · Dec 17, 2021

this is random and idk why, I added pods after cycling in my nano and their population exploded, my tanks params have been amazing, the water is slightly misted due too the swarms of pods swirling around

Koh23 · Dec 17, 2021

I wish i had nitrates..... Any number will do.....

Undetectable by test kit, probably not zero as i have some green growth in sump rock, but, chaeto isnt growing, xenia not growing, mushrooms not growing.......

So, gimme some nitrates

LiveFreeAndReef · Dec 17, 2021

Koh23 said:
I wish i had nitrates..... Any number will do.....

Undetectable by test kit, probably not zero as i have some green growth in sump rock, but, chaeto isnt growing, xenia not growing, mushrooms not growing.......

So, gimme some nitrates

I had the same problem for a long time and got a couple cases of dinos in the process. Removed my skimmers and started feeding heavier and I've been able to keep them above 10ppm since then. I may be higher than what's "recommended", but I trust my corals to tell me whether or not they're happy rather than chase any numbers. If they're happy, I'm happy!

Koh23 · Dec 17, 2021

I really had various experiences with reefing over time, but i newer had case that mushrooms and xenia dont grow like weed......

I feed like maniac, tons of food, probably part of problem is not enough fish, wich will be corected soon, but still, i really dont understand where that waste go...not in coral growth, not in algae growth (wanted or unwanted).....

I stoped using filter socks, skimmer is set to minimum, other than activated carbon i dont use any chemicals......

SlugSnorter · Dec 17, 2021

LiveFreeAndReef said:
I had the same problem for a long time and got a couple cases of dinos in the process. Removed my skimmers and started feeding heavier and I've been able to keep them above 10ppm since then. I may be higher than what's "recommended", but I trust my corals to tell me whether or not they're happy rather than chase any numbers. If they're happy, I'm happy!

try a bit of coral food

LiveFreeAndReef · Dec 17, 2021

SlugSnorter said:
try a bit of coral food

They get phytoplankton daily, and fish poo lol

SlugSnorter · Dec 17, 2021

LiveFreeAndReef said:
They get phytoplankton daily, and fish poo lol

I meant the other guy sorry lol

SlugSnorter · Dec 17, 2021

Koh23 said:
I wish i had nitrates..... Any number will do.....

Undetectable by test kit, probably not zero as i have some green growth in sump rock, but, chaeto isnt growing, xenia not growing, mushrooms not growing.......

So, gimme some nitrates

try some coral food

LiveFreeAndReef · Dec 17, 2021

SlugSnorter said:
I meant the other guy sorry lol

no worries!

SlugSnorter · Dec 17, 2021

Koh23 said:
I really had various experiences with reefing over time, but i newer had case that mushrooms and xenia dont grow like weed......

I feed like maniac, tons of food, probably part of problem is not enough fish, wich will be corected soon, but still, i really dont understand where that waste go...not in coral growth, not in algae growth (wanted or unwanted).....

I stoped using filter socks, skimmer is set to minimum, other than activated carbon i dont use any chemicals......

you could have put too much carbon

Koh23 · Dec 17, 2021

Well, this is my standard amount, app. 100grams on 500l dt +150l sump.....

Maybe it is too much......

The_Skrimp · Dec 17, 2021

I’ve been carbon dosing to get rid of some algae problems so my nitrates stay super low. Right now they’re around 0.5. My sps love it but My zoas are having a terrible time with it so I’m slowly reducing how much I dose. Ideally for me I’d want them over 1 but still under 5.

Ocean’s Piece · Dec 17, 2021

Koh23 said:
I wish i had nitrates..... Any number will do.....

Undetectable by test kit, probably not zero as i have some green growth in sump rock, but, chaeto isnt growing, xenia not growing, mushrooms not growing.......

So, gimme some nitrates

I was like this for many months and then I played around with a few things to raise them. I unplugged my protein skimmer and they started to rise. Now I keep it on a schedule for things are kept in order. So I would tinker with all your filtration to see if you could get them to rise