Lowering Nitrates and Phosphates to Zero

[RaymondL]

Thought I'd start a new thread with regards to my battle with GHA on my 15 Gallon nano tank.

Tank is 10 months old - nothing really in it other than some GSPs and one damselfish - thought I'd keep it low key, so if I encounter any issues it would be more manageable and less costly.

Nitrates: 5.3ppm
Phosphates: 0.05

I had a bout of Dinoflagellates a month ago, and after a rigid plan of water changes/substrate removal and raising Nitrates and Phosphates up, I now have Green Hair Algae - of course

I'm still learning and this is my first bout with GHA - if I aim for Zero Nitrates and Phosphates, would the GHA slowly die off, and would that mean then that Dinoflagellates will or can return?

Thanks

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Thought I'd start a new thread with regards to my battle with GHA on my 15 Gallon nano tank.

Tank is 10 months old - nothing really in it other than some GSPs and one damselfish - thought I'd keep it low key, so if I encounter any issues it would be more manageable and less costly.

Nitrates: 5.3ppm
Phosphates: 0.05

I had a bout of Dinoflagellates a month ago, and after a rigid plan of water changes/substrate removal and raising Nitrates and Phosphates up, I now have Green Hair Algae - of course

I'm still learning and this is my first bout with GHA - if I aim for Zero Nitrates and Phosphates, would the GHA slowly die off, and would that mean then that Dinoflagellates will or can return?

Thanks

I think those are good numbers. For hair algae, I recommend manual removal and a good CUC of snails and an urchins according to tank size. I wouldn’t go to zero as the dino may return.

 

[TX_REEF]

you don't want zero nitrate and phosphate unless you intend to have only fish. Corals like a stable and moderate level of both. I'd add some cleanup crew to help out, trochus snails are my favorite.