No Nitrate in tank Need Advise

[Marsdancer]

I have zero detectable nitrate in my tank. The tank has been without fish for four weeks due to ich. I now have a lot of algae growing since the tangs are in qt.

I also noticed my corals seem to be fading in color, I think it’s because I have no or extremely little nitrate in the tank. (I used two different test kits)

Should I dose NO3 at the risk of encouraging more algae growth?

Or should I do nothing and wait for when I can add the fish back and hope the corals will be ok?

DKH 9.1, Calcium 420, Mag. 1480, PH 8.4, Phosphate 0.02 (Hanna Checker) Salinity 1.025, Temp. 79.8

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

I would say yes to raising the level. You want some in the tank and depending on coral types may want a slightly higher level even. My zoa's for instance prefer higher levels. Also I believe you can run the risk of inviting bad things like dynos to go nuts with too low a nitrate level. I would start by feeding more to raise naturally. You could also dose with some stump remover solution. I have done that periodically to boost low nitrates. There is also several discussion here on this.

 

[Marsdancer]

I‘m going to take your advice.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

Just to clarify a little on my answer. The dyno nitrate / phos issue is a balancing act. Dynos will feed off those things but you want some to feed the algae as the algae is a direct competitor. If you have a healthy balance of algae it has been my experience that dynos never get a chance to take off.

 

[Chaz D]

I wouldn't dose any nitrate, just lower alk to a more natural level 7'ish and feed more.