Phosphates vs Nitrates

[Charley]

Had phosphates and nitrates down to zero to help battle GHA. As I feared, in doing so, dinoflagellates reared its ugly head. So decided to raise nitrates using KN03. Raised to 60 and worked beautifully, not a sign of dinoflagellates. But phosphates up to .05. I can bring it to zero using Phos Rx to weaken GHA and remove. Can you have high nitrates with zero phosphates long term. Coral colors look great with high nitrates.

 

[mta_morrow]

You need to have some phosphates in order to reduce nitrates. Neither should be at 0, ever.

 

[Heart of Dixie]

+1 on having P04. Dose something like Seachem Flourish Phosphorus for planted tanks. There is a dosing calculator on their website. I keep N03 around 5 and P04 between .05 & .09