Nitrate levels low + coral dying

[emsilkina]

My nitrate levels are at zero, I have had an algae bloom for several weeks and now my coral are dying. How do I raise the nitrate level??

 

[HomebroodExotics]

How old is the tank?

 

[PeterC99]

Natural method - Over feed fish and corals and turn off skimmer for a few hours a day.

 

[Jekyl]

My nitrate levels are at zero, I have had an algae bloom for several weeks and now my coral are dying. How do I raise the nitrate level??

Remove as much of the algae as you can. Use a toothbrush and your vacuum during water changes. The algae is competing with the coral. Adding more nutrients can help but isn't solving the root problem.

 

[emsilkina]

How old is the tank?

5 months

 

[emsilkina]

Natural method - Over feed fish and corals and turn off skimmer for a few hours a day.

I try to feed the corals but since they all closed up/are dying they aren't taking the food when I hand feed them

 

[emsilkina]

Remove as much of the algae as you can. Use a toothbrush and your vacuum during water changes. The algae is competing with the coral. Adding more nutrients can help but isn't solving the root problem.

I took out most of the algae, but I had way more algae 2 weeks ago but none of my corals were dying then

 

[Jekyl]

What are the rest of your parameters? What lighting?

 

[Azedenkae]

I took out most of the algae, but I had way more algae 2 weeks ago but none of my corals were dying then

Was there any changes in your feeding regimen? Are you feeding more then than now or anything like that?

 

[emsilkina]

What are the rest of your parameters? What lighting?

My calcium + KH were low, but I fixed that so everything looks normal now, but the corals have gotten worse. I use NICREW 100 Watts Aquarium LED Reef Light, but I have had it for a couple of months and my corals have been healthy. I added a Pygmy cherub angel, and I am concerned that might be the problem since it led to my starfish's death and caused the algae.

 

[emsilkina]

Was there any changes in your feeding regimen? Are you feeding more then than now or anything like that?

I'm feeding them the same

 

[DrZoidburg]

I don't have experience with this fish but they can nip at stuff. You could also remove filter socks.

 

[ncjeepguy75]

I had to dose nitrates by using sodium nitrate.

 

[feelingfishy]

I’m using sodium nitrate as well. I got mine from loudwolf.com. Mixed 100 grams for 1l water. Dose roughly 20ml to increase 1-2ppm in 300 gallons.

 

[dhnguyen]

What are you testing your nitrate with?
I suspect that nitrate isn't the cause of your corals dying.

What are your water parameters (Ca, alk, ph, phosphate. nitrate, ammonia)? Please post actual numbers and test kits used instead of saying they're fine.