Is Algae growth possible with nutrient readings undetectable?

[Reefadore]

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0

Had a tank crash - completed an 90% water change, removed all hair algae and stayed with one rock from the crash. My anemone’s died during the crash (after 1 year of being happy and healthy ) and since then have been battling ammonia and nitrite spikes.

I just tested my water today, and all of my readings are at 0. I do not understand how this happens (or if I am getting wrong readings) when I have two clownfish, 5 hermits, and 3 margarita snails in the tank. I don’t have the greatest equipment either, just stock everything on my 16g biocube.

Stock LED’s
Stock Pump
Coralife protein skimmer (that is pulling a lot of junk out - have to empty the cup daily)
Weekly 20% water changes
One live rock from the tank crash
I just added a Blue Ribbon “reef rock column” 2 weeks ago and you can see algae growth on it already in the pics provided.

 

[Nathan Milender]

Yep, they consume it as it appears and the water still reads zero. There is also the possibility your tests kits are no good.

 

[VikS]

Also, You do not have a lot of bioload with 2 clowns, so possible that everything is zero after skimmer pulling things out.

 

[Reefadore]

Yep, they consume it as it appears and the water still reads zero. There is also the possibility your tests kits are no good.

Thank you! I have two test kits because I figured maybe one was not working. They are both telling me same readings. How would I know if they are no good?

 

[Nathan Milender]

Thank you! I have two test kits because I figured maybe one was not working. They are both telling me same readings. How would I know if they are no good?

Two test kits are probably a solid check as long as they are both relatively new. If they are both from the same garage sale take a sample to a shop. It's likely nutrients are just being consumed. I recently upped my nutrients to deal with a dino outbreak. NO3 and phos still read zero but the algae went nuts. It's normalizing, but what is in the water is not necessarily what is in the tank. Kits only measure what is dissolved in the water.

 

[Reefadore]

Two test kits are probably a solid check as long as they are both relatively new. If they are both from the same garage sale take a sample to a shop. It's likely nutrients are just being consumed. I recently upped my nutrients to deal with a dino outbreak. NO3 and phos still read zero but the algae went nuts. It's normalizing, but what is in the water is not necessarily what is in the tank. Kits only measure what is dissolved in the water.

- nope, one is purchased in a store, and the other from Amazon with two different expiration dates. (I like the garage sale quote). Thank you for your quick responses. I’m so concerned that I will have another crash and I will lose what’s left.

 

[Saltyreef]

You'll likely want to stop skimming and feed heavier. The skimmer is removing all the waste before it converts to nitrate.
I ran a heavily stocked 14 gallon biocube without any skimming, successfully, for years. You can put a couple more nano fish in there too. Firefish would make a good addition and help with your nutrients.

 

[Reefadore]

Thank you so much for the info. I have upped the feeding. I just turned off the protein skimmer. We will see how it goes.