Llg
Active Member
Hi. I am still new to saltwater tanks. I currently have a Fluval 13.5. The tank has been reading 0 for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates using API kit and also the ammonia alert badge. PH is 8.1, calcium 470 and alkalinity was 7.7 today.
I currently use filter floss, chemipure elite, and purigen as my filtration and also have some rubble and a few stones (in case I need a QT tank I have the instant cycle ready to go). I also have a refugium setup in the second chamber (light on 12 hrs).
There are currently 2 small clowns, 1 tiny orchid dottyback, TSB, and 2 snails. I feed daily and have had cocapods stocked for 3 weeks.
There is a small amount of brown and green coloring on the rocks (dry rock at the start). I dose daily with phytoplankton and use microbacter clean once a week. Lights are still off as I don't have corals yet.
I ordered some neonitro to try to elevate nitrates. Is there anything else I can do to raise the nitrate to avoid bad algae growth? I have considered reducing the light on the fuge, but wasn't sure how short of a time I can go. I do 10% water changes every 2 weeks only because I feel I should, but don't really need to based on the parameters. I know the tank cycled as I used pure ammonia and measured parameters daily and slowly introduced fish out of QT after that.
What is the appropriate nitrate level I should aim for?
I currently use filter floss, chemipure elite, and purigen as my filtration and also have some rubble and a few stones (in case I need a QT tank I have the instant cycle ready to go). I also have a refugium setup in the second chamber (light on 12 hrs).
There are currently 2 small clowns, 1 tiny orchid dottyback, TSB, and 2 snails. I feed daily and have had cocapods stocked for 3 weeks.
There is a small amount of brown and green coloring on the rocks (dry rock at the start). I dose daily with phytoplankton and use microbacter clean once a week. Lights are still off as I don't have corals yet.
I ordered some neonitro to try to elevate nitrates. Is there anything else I can do to raise the nitrate to avoid bad algae growth? I have considered reducing the light on the fuge, but wasn't sure how short of a time I can go. I do 10% water changes every 2 weeks only because I feel I should, but don't really need to based on the parameters. I know the tank cycled as I used pure ammonia and measured parameters daily and slowly introduced fish out of QT after that.
What is the appropriate nitrate level I should aim for?
