question on Nitrate and Phosphate

mrtian97 · Oct 16, 2017

I have 20 gallon tank that been running without corals or fish. I changed about 7 gallon weekly from my DT WC. Used to be my quarantine tank. it has light sand, hang on back filter for 10 gallon.

I am thinking to set this up as frag tank. I checked the parameters last night:
Alk: 8.0
Ca: 410
Nitrate: 2 - salifert
Phosphate: 0.06 - Salifert

Question: how do I get Nitrate and phosphate read with no corals or fish? Will I need skimmer if I just put frags and no fish? all sps frags

thanks for ur help

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 16, 2017

Those values are fine, and if you grow corals in it you will somehow have to feed the tank N and P somehow.

Ty Hamatake · Oct 16, 2017

@Randy Holmes-Farley, would using "dirty water" from the DT for water changes be enough to keep nutrient levels up? Assuming WC changes are done consistently.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 16, 2017

Yes, putting used tank water in could be a good plan for a frag tank, but may not add enough.

jda · Oct 16, 2017

Get some ornamental shrimp (peppermints) and snails. Feed the shrimp flake food (auto feeder is easy) and the snails will recycle the algae time and time again. Somewhat hungry peppermints will scour the corals for pests to eat if any sneak by your dips.