Nitrates good or bad?

[kac0143]

Looking at the poll that is on website. Why are high nitrates a good thing?

 

[RobZilla04]

High is a different definition depending who you ask. One will tell you 5ppm is high, others say 25ppm is high.

What's the difference if you system is thriving? Answer: there isn't a difference. Your system is different than mine is different than his/hers.

 

[sghera64]

Looking at the poll that is on website. Why are high nitrates a good thing?

Welcome to Reef2Reef. How long have you been in the reefing hobby?

Our hobby goes through swings in mindset. I’m afraid right now you are catching us on one of those swings and thus will find a number of schools/pools of thought.

 

[Dan I]

Nitrates are good nutrients for corals. However, every tank reacts differently to various nutrients. Some reefers have nutrients sitting at 20+ with no issues and others with 5. From personal experience, I feel like 5 ppm is the sweet spot and adjust accordingly to your tanks response.

 

[Larry L]

Looking at the poll that is on website. Why are high nitrates a good thing?

It doesn't say high nitrates are a good thing, it says "good depending on the levels", which in my opinion is low but not zero. Common wisdom used to be to always shoot for zero nitrates and phosphates, but current thinking is that corals need at least some to survive, and you're starving your corals if your levels are really at zero.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

NO3 is good but does need to be controlled. I agree 5ppm is a good spot for most reef tanks. Corals need nitrogen and phosphorus go live and grow. Many have reported increased color and growth by increasing NO3. Every tank is different in not only the supply of NO3 being produced but also the demand.
I can't seem to get any detectable NO3 in my tank.

 

[kac0143]

Tested my nitrates today with redsea test kit and I'm on the highest color. 95 percent of my corals doing great.

 

[marlinmon]

SPS like dem some nitrates

 

[gtrider]

can't detect any nitrate but my phosphates are at .73 ;Bored
Tank is crystal clear and my SPS and LPS are looking great.

 

[SeaDweller]

I got 100 ppm. Maybe more. Not a good thing. Got lazy. Now I'm paying for it. Literally.

 

[PanchoG]

I have had no my nitrates between 20 to 25 ppm and my PO4 in some cases touching 1 ppm!!!

However... the tanks is absolutely gorgeous SPS & LPS, I don’t understand!!!