Nitrate low PO4 good. How do I raise nitrate ?

[Kydnblue2]

Need help. Nitrate 0 or below. Tank is a year old. 220g
PH .03
PO4 8.3
Alk 9.0
Cal 510
Sal 1.025
Mg. 1400
Want to bring nitrates up. Any suggestions would
Be greatly appreciated.

 

[Xxflounderxx]

You could feed more or dos nitrate. If you dos just make sure you are testing frequently

 

[Miami Reef]

Is that PO4 reading accurate? That is extremely high.

If you want to bring nitrates up, you should dose a product that is specifically meant to target nitrates only.

Feeding more will just cause your phosphates to increase as well.

 

[Miami Reef]

You said your PO4 is 8.3ppm. It should be anywhere from 0.03-0.12 ideally.

 

[olonmv]

I went the dosing route. Since you’re at zero, set a number where you want your nitrate level and dose for that level, wait 24 hrs and test. Don’t dose and test again the next day and the next to see what daily consumption is. Note, Dosing nitrates lowers phosphates.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Looks like OP switched his pH and PO4 results in his post.
I'm guessing his pH is 8.3 and his PO4 is .03.

 

[Kydnblue2]

You said your PO4 is 8.3ppm. It should be anywhere from 0.03-0.12 ideally.

I’m sorry I wrote backwards PO4 8.3
Ph .03

 

[Kydnblue2]

Looks like OP switched his pH and PO4 results in his post.
I'm guessing his pH is 8.3 and his PO4 is .03.

Yes sorry

 

[Kydnblue2]

I only have 7 fish in tank would adding more raise nitrates

 

[chadfish]

I only have 7 fish in tank would adding more raise nitrates

Why do you want to raise nitrates?

Yes, more fish will increase nitrates. Just 7 in a 220 gal is not many.

 

[Gtinnel]

With your phosphates at .03 I would just feed more. If you can't get them higher with feeding then I'd dose.

 

[Kydnblue2]

Why do you want to raise nitrates?

Yes, more fish will increase nitrates. Just 7 in a 220 gal is not many.

I have 6 corals in tank. All are having what looks like bleaching issues except goiniapora. Went to LFS and he said that having 0 nitrate reading is no good and that is root of problem. Does that sound right?

 

[ReeferLou]

I fought this problem too and dosed: Brightwell NeoNitrate and also bought the food grade stuff on Amazon (cheaper). Corals definitely colored and zoa opened after. I test using the Salifert and target 2-5ppm now. Note Phosphate will drop once you dose the NO3

 

[olonmv]

I have 6 corals in tank. All are having what looks like bleaching issues except goiniapora. Went to LFS and he said that having 0 nitrate reading is no good and that is root of problem. Does that sound right?

They are correct. Zero nitrates can cause issues and starve corals.

 

[Miami Reef]

I have 6 corals in tank. All are having what looks like bleaching issues except goiniapora. Went to LFS and he said that having 0 nitrate reading is no good and that is root of problem. Does that sound right?

Yes. Having low nutrients with high alk can burn the corals out. I consider anything above 7-8dkh on the higher spectrum.

What lights do you have for the tank?

 

[Kydnblue2]

I test with same.

 

[Kydnblue2]

Yes. Having low nutrients with high alk can burn the corals out. I consider anything above 7-8dkh on the higher spectrum.

What lights do you have for the tank?

So I should get alk lower ? I have 4 kessil a360x.

 

[olonmv]

I started having issues with fluctuating nutrients until I started to test daily to zero in my tank consumption. Once I figured that out I got a game plan that worked for me.

first I started a refugium in my second chamber. Once that took off my nutrients bottomed out. Decided to start dosing neonitro n neophos. My tank daily consumption of nitrate is about .45ml and .9ml in phosphate. My phosphates were usually high. Come to find out that nitrates consume phosphate. So I dosed nitrate until my phos came down to a desirable level naturally. Now I dose all for reef on a doser and my nutrients by hand daily. Didn’t have to change my feeding schedule and now everything is happy and stable. Including me lol.

 

[Miami Reef]

So I should get alk lower ? I have 4 kessil a360x.

Many people have had success with 9dkh. You may choose to keep 9dkh if you like it.

I personally decide to keep 7-8 dkh because there’s less risk of burning from lower nutrients. There is a general agreement (not sure if scientifically proven) that lower alk is less stressful to corals.

 

[olonmv]

So I should get alk lower ? I have 4 kessil a360x.

I keep my alk at about 8-9. Your alk is in a good spot in my opinion.