Nitrate level

[Keith Hill]

hey I asked about phosphate levels before but now I have to ask about nitrates. I have a mixed reef with mostly LPS and a few SPS. What level should the nitrate level be at. Again the local LFS used to do testing but has since quit so I have to do my own so I'm trying to make sure my tank is healthy.

Thanks

 

[morpheas]

There's no set number as long as you "listen" to your reef and it's happy and has no problems. On the other hand if you're asking about the norm that's usually suggested to be between 1-5 ppm depending on what you have and who you ask...

Every tank is special though you have to be in tune with yours. What's your current number? What are the other parameters? Any signs of distress you might have seen or any problems you're trying to fix? A lot of times we're consumed with chasing numbers and we're doing more harm than good...

 

[Diesel]

Know your own system, test often, understand where or why you have a reading on test results and go after it when you don't like it or your corals/tank shows distress.

 

[Keith Hill]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm reading 4ppm and honestly I feel like the tank is doing well. My montipora was doing amazing but in one night went down hill fast. I'm trying to bing it back but the rest of the SPS (a birds nest and 2 acros) are doing well.

 

[morpheas]

The 4ppm is not bad... If the monti is the only thing that's suffering then you might need to investigate what might irritate that specifically.

 

[Keith Hill]

Thanks .... I did a bunch of tests and my alk was slightly low. It is up now and the monti is looking like its bouncing back.

Thanks