Nitrates too low for corals to thrive

[AC1211]

My nitrates are at 0.
Ph is 8.3.
Alk is 10
Calcium is 490 to 500
Magnesium is 1520
Phosphates 0 also.
Is adding more clean up crew to beat out the algae which came back again after 2 months clean the tank was set up in december.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Its probably not that low depending on alage and what not, but i would certainly let your alk go down slowly if your are that nutrient poor.

High alk and low nutrients can lead to bleaching.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Agreed with pdx. Your algae is likely consuming it before the corals have a change to take up enough. I’d focus on battling the algae back with manual removal and you should see your nitrates bump up from there.

 

[AC1211]

Its probably not that low depending on alage and what not, but i would certainly let your alk go down slowly if your are that nutrient poor.

High alk and low nutrients can lead to bleaching.

Would getting a clean up crew to eat the algae help over the long term like would getting 2 emerald crabs help?

 

[AC1211]

Agreed with pdx. Your algae is likely consuming it before the corals have a change to take up enough. I’d focus on battling the algae back with manual removal and you should see your nitrates bump up from there.

Would a larger clean up crew help in the long term... is the natural way better than mamual removal?

 

[Waters]

Would a larger clean up crew help in the long term... is the natural way better than mamual removal?

It will take both.......manual removal plus clean up crew, whether it be in the form of fish or just snails, urchins, etc.

 

[Lasse]

Would a larger clean up crew help in the long term... is the natural way better than mamual removal?

Yes - but if the algae problem is excessive manual removing can be a helpful option too

Sincerely Lasse

 

[ihavecrabs]

Yes - but if the algae problem is excessive manual removing can be a helpful option too

Sincerely Lasse

It will take both.......manual removal plus clean up crew, whether it be in the form of fish or just snails, urchins, etc.

Agreed with both.

@AC1211 Just remember every healthy reef rank has some algae.. it is just managed well by livestock and good husbandry.

 

[Saltycrew]

Try dosing loud wolf sodium nitrate after you get your algae under control