Low Nitrates - How to Raise Efficiently

Sdoutreefer · Oct 25, 2024

My tank is about 3 months old. I’m definetly knee deep in the uglies and am having big time issues getting my nitrates up. I’ve increased my feeding and have pulled all mechanical filtration (filter mat and skimmer). It will be 2 weeks on Sunday since my last WC. My bio-load is pretty light (2x Green Chromis, 1x Purple Dottyback). I’m sure that isn’t helping my case.

With all of that, my No3 is still at 0.0. Any advice on getting my nutrients up? My current plan is to keep feeding heavy for this next coming week.

Thanks everyone.

rtparty · Oct 25, 2024

DIY Ammonia dosing for low nitrate systems

Some reef aquaria have chronic low nitrogen availability. One indicator is very low nitrate. Nitrate dosing is a fine remedy, but it is possible that ammonia dosing may be more beneficial for some organisms since ammonia can be energetically easier to assimilate than is nitrate. For this...

www.reef2reef.com

Sdoutreefer · Oct 26, 2024

rtparty said:
DIY Ammonia dosing for low nitrate systems

Some reef aquaria have chronic low nitrogen availability. One indicator is very low nitrate. Nitrate dosing is a fine remedy, but it is possible that ammonia dosing may be more beneficial for some organisms since ammonia can be energetically easier to assimilate than is nitrate. For this...

www.reef2reef.com

I started reading it and will continue but have a question…

Am I going to be testing my No3? Assuming yes… And how frequently should I test?

Are there any other natural ways or am I a little too far down this track and should consider this method?

dangles · Oct 26, 2024

I use NeoNitro to bump my NO3 up when it drops lower than I’d like. Also add more fish

Macbalacano · Oct 26, 2024

I have been dousing NeoNitro for almost a year and it works great. I have a 15G with 4 fish and lots of coral. I use a Kamoer pump and dose 1ml a day only. I try to maintain around nitrates at around 10ppm.

other things I’ve tried - adding more fish (I’m at max now), no skimmer, feeding more, minimal filtration. But honestly dosing nitrates is the easiest, cleanest, and most stable way to- so far in my experience.