Hana checker question

[Robert Binz]

My Red Sea test kit shows my nitrates at 0 but I feel like that’s not accurate because corals and algae are growing—so I think the kit just isn’t detecting the nitrate

Would buying a Hana checker possibly give me a better reading? Or show me if I have detectable nitrates in the ultra-low range?

 

[muzikalmatt]

Hanna does not have a nitrate checker yet, but we're all hoping they make one soon!

Are you using the Red Sea Pro nitrate test kit? As I understand it, that is one of the best nitrate test kits for the lower range. Other test kits like Salifert and Nyos have a harder time measuring at the ultra low range (less than 2ppm).

Also, do you have any algae growing in the tank? If so, you definitely have nitrates in the water and it's likely the algae is consuming it before it can be detected. Theoretically the same thing can happen with your corals. However, you really want some detectable nitrates to ensure you're not bottoming out your nutrients which can both starve your corals and lead to a dinoflagellate outbreak.

 

[Robert Binz]

Thanks for your response! Yeah the tank is still in it’s ugly phase (month four) and it’s got GHA, BHA, diatoms, and various slimes on the rocks growing and vying for real estate

my sand is finally clean though!

 

[Robert Binz]

I have liquid nitrate. Should I try adding a ml and keep nitrates detectable? Things are doing fine so I’m worried about messing it up

 

[David Calzada]

Have you test your phosphates? Hannah doesn't make a nitrate test kit, but they do have the ulr phosphorus test kit. What type of algae do you have in your tank? Make sure to check your flow because algae will settle in low flow areas.

 

[muzikalmatt]

I definitely would not recommend dosing nitrates if you have an algae problem. Normally if you're trying to increase your nitrates, the first thing most people would recommend is feeding your fish more. However, since you're having an algae outbreak right now I would not recommend that either as it's indicative of excess nutrients. If your corals are doing fine and growing, I'd leave things alone and maybe work on manually removing the algae as best you can. You can add some more clean up crew to combat the algae and as @David Calzada mentioned you can also up your flow to try and keep it at bay. Once you don't have an algae problem and you're still getting no nitrate readings, then you can think about feeding more.

 

[Robert Binz]

Great advice everyone, thank you!

Yeah I do have an algae problem with the new tank syndrome. I’m gonna buy a toothbrush to scrub some of it off and suck it out with the next WC

 

[Miller535]

Being that it is a new tank, and you have an algae problem, you have Nitrates, they are just bound up in all the algae. Do NOT dose nitrates. It is probably just in the ugly stage, but pictures would help. Both close up of the algae, and full tank shot.