Nutrient levels for a new tank?

[Miami Reef]

To prevent Dino’s and minimize algae. A tank with predominantly dry rock with 10% live rocks.

 

[blaxsun]

Will vary widely (and you'll get various answers), but I'd try to keep nitrates under 15ppm and phosphates under 0.1ppm. Ideal levels to strive for would probably be around <5ppm nitrates and <0.025ppm phosphates.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I usually recommend any reef tank aim for 2-10 pm nitrate and 0.02 to 0.1 ppm phosphate.

Higher than that range is better than below it, IMO.

 

[Miami Reef]

Higher than that range is better than below it, IMO.

Is that because of Dinos?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is that because of Dinos?

Yes, and starving corals, especially since kit testing is not always especially accurate so it may be even lower than one thinks.