is there such thing as too low nitrates?

[navila06]

I just got my new red sea algae control test kit
Nitrates indicated zero and phos indicated .08, are these ideal, should there be some nitrates in the water for corals?

 

[navila06]

bump

 

[moreef]

I'm FAAAAR from capable of answering this question but I think there is a balance between nitrate and phosphates that need to be maintained. I'm sure someone will chime in on this.

 

[navila06]

thanks,it is a tough ? I never had zero nitrates.

I'm FAAAAR from capable of answering this question but I think there is a balance between nitrate and phosphates that need to be maintained. I'm sure someone will chime in on this.

 

[Rikerbear]

I sort of doubt your nitrates are actually 0....however that is not your question :smile:
Having some nitrates and phosphates can be beneficial for certain corals....softies and zoa/palys namely.
LPS seem to handle some, but from all I've read/researched SPS want/need pristine water quality, with nitrates and phos as close to zero as possible.
Mine on average - NO3 5 and PO4 .25, but I have a mainly softie, zoa tank and they all seem to be doing great and growing a LOT.
My LPS is not growing but not receding either....could be from the nitrates I suppose.

What sort of corals are you keeping?

 

[navila06]

thanks for your input, I have all softies at the moment, so maybe I did the nitrate test wrong? I will retest it tonight.

I sort of doubt your nitrates are actually 0....however that is not your question :smile:
Having some nitrates and phosphates can be beneficial for certain corals....softies and zoa/palys namely.
LPS seem to handle some, but from all I've read/researched SPS want/need pristine water quality, with nitrates and phos as close to zero as possible.
Mine on average - NO3 5 and PO4 .25, but I have a mainly softie, zoa tank and they all seem to be doing great and growing a LOT.
My LPS is not growing but not receding either....could be from the nitrates I suppose.

What sort of corals are you keeping?

 

[Chameleon]

there is such a thing as too low. if they get too low things will not grow and can die. phosphates will likely build up because organisms use both N and P to grow. normally levels that can be measured on hobby level test kits are never too low though. I'd say if you can read that they are present, then you don't have a problem with too low.
just a thought...there are some who specifically dose nitrates to lower phosphates, because nitrates are the limiting growth factor of the aqueous nutrient reducing organisms in these cases.

 

[howaboutme]

Are you converting your results to NO3? Red Sea tests NO3-N, which then needs to be converted to NO3 to get your "nitrate" results. Multiple by 4.4 to get total nitrate or I believe there is a chart???? If you've done this..then disregard.

 

[navila06]

I have redid this test and it is still showing zero, Im going to call customer support monday

Are you converting your results to NO3? Red Sea tests NO3-N, which then needs to be converted to NO3 to get your "nitrate" results. Multiple by 4.4 to get total nitrate or I believe there is a chart???? If you've done this..then disregard.

 

[Mike J.]

There definitely is a need for nitrates if you're growing softies. Even if you're growing SPS .1 ppm (natural ocean water) is better than 0. Marinedepot.com | Reef Tank Parameters

 

[navila06]

thanks mike.

There definitely is a need for nitrates if you're growing softies. Even if you're growing SPS .1 ppm (natural ocean water) is better than 0. Marinedepot.com | Reef Tank Parameters