Dosing Nitrates or not?

[kilnakorr]

Hi

My first tank, and just over 4 months old.
My parameters are in decent range, and I don't have any major issues.

Values:

Temp. 25 C
Salinity: 35 ppt
Ph: 7.9-8.1
Alk. 8.0 dKh - Hanna
Ca. 459 ppm - Hanna
Mg. 1350 ppm - Salifert
NO3: 0.5 - 1ppm - AF
PO4: 0.02 - Hanna

Running filter roller, skimmer and fuge with chaeto.

My nitrates, has been around 0.5 - 1ppm for quite a while and max 3 ppm, after cycling the tank.
I have a thin layer of some green algae on the rocks, which has be there since the diatoms disappeared, but not sure how much nutrients they consume.
Algae on rockwork:

Full tank shot:

I have single torch, that seems a little 'off', but opens up everyday.

Question is, if I should try raise nitrates a bit or not?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In this situation, I'd feed more to get both N and P to riser a bit to avoid risk of dinos.

 

[kilnakorr]

In this situation, I'd feed more to get both N and P to riser a bit to avoid risk of dinos.

Been thinking of just feeding a bit more, but seems it has a bigger impact on phosphates than nitrates, but maybe this isn't true?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Been thinking of just feeding a bit more, but seems it has a bigger impact on phosphates than nitrates, but maybe this isn't true?

In general, food has a lot more N than P in it.

 

[kilnakorr]

In general, food has a lot more N than P in it.

I'll try upping the food.
I guess a bit higher N could also make P not rise, as the chaeto could increase the uptake of P when N increases.
Guess time will tell. Thanks.

 

[Ferrell]

Try frozen vs pellets/flakes. I've found pellet foods will raise my PO4 more than frozen food, like reef frenzy. I've used Nano Reef Frenzy for 3 years. Also nori, reef roids and reef nutrition do raise PO4.
I just started dosing Neonitro but only because NO3 was flat 0 as corals were taking up excess and the amount of food i was having to use for four fish was crazy. Now that it's up to 5 I will scale back and monitor and probably stop til it trends lower.

 

[kilnakorr]

Try frozen vs pellets/flakes. I've found pellet foods will raise my PO4 more than frozen food, like reef frenzy. I've used Nano Reef Frenzy for 3 years. Also nori, reef roids and reef nutrition do raise PO4.
I just started dosing Neonitro but only because NO3 was flat 0 as corals were taking up excess and the amount of food i was having to use for four fish was crazy. Now that it's up to 5 I will scale back and monitor and probably stop til it trends lower.

I feed 90% frozen foods.
I do want to add more fish, but all this covid situation makes it hard to get the ones I'd like.
It does seem I might be able to get new inhabitants soon, so I will need to feed more anyway.
But thanks for the info. I just recently learned that frozen foods contains less PO4 than pellets, and I thought it was the other way around.

 

[blasterman]

Missed the part where he was running cheato.

I would cut the light time for cheato 50%. Otherwise if you feed more or add sodium phosphate you will just get faster growing cheato and no real change in nitrate levels.

 

[jarviz]

i also think chaeto sucks up nitrates wayyyy faster than phosphates too.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

i also think chaeto sucks up nitrates wayyyy faster than phosphates too.

All macroalgae do. They must, since they contain far more N than P.

 

[kilnakorr]

All macroalgae do. They must, since they contain far more N than P.

I would be surprised if there are more than a few types of plant species that use more phosphates than nitrates (never heard of any).

I would cut the light time for cheato 50%. Otherwise if you feed more or add sodium phosphate you will just get faster growing cheato and no real change in nitrate levels

Chaeto removes CO2, which I need to maintain a decent ph.
I was thinking if I need or decide to dose nitrate, I could do it in the morning, when fuge light is off and tank light has just barely begun.
This would insure the chaeto not using it up.