Raise nitrate

[iGotJokess]

My tank is running too “clean” looking to get some nitrate in the tank. It’s a new system, already cycled been running for about 2 months after cycle. Would adding a raw shrimp accomplish anything? Looking for advice

 

[iGotJokess]

My tank is running too “clean” looking to get some nitrate in the tank. It’s a new system, already cycled been running for about 2 months after cycle. Would adding a raw shrimp accomplish anything? Looking for advice

Current levels:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Alk - 8.6 dkh
Phosphate - 0.01 ppm

 

[iGotJokess]

Bump

 

[Daniel92481]

Do you have any fish in your tank?

 

[ReefHomieJon]

just dose neoPhos. Or wait, do you have any fish yet? Add some fish lol that’s the best way to do it

 

[VAFish]

Add some fish. Best way to dirty the water. They increase bioload.

 

[highest_tides]

I don't mind dosing nitrate from a medical grade completely controllable level. Take what I say with a grain of salt though my first tank is only 6 months..but I had 0 nitrate with one fish and took a good recommendation from someone here. Now I have two (55g) and I'm still dosing a little but eventually won't. No harm, no foul.

 

[iGotJokess]

Have fish: 2 clowns, hippo tang, diamond goby and royal gramma. 2 snails and an emerald crab

 

[highest_tides]

How much water volume? If I had that many in my 55g I wouldn't be dosing.

 

[Jonify]

Are you carbon dosing something like NOPOX? If so, cut that back, because that will bring nitrates down to zero if you let it, and then feed more.

 

[iGotJokess]

How much water volume? If I had that many in my 55g I wouldn't be dosing.

120 gallon system

 

[iGotJokess]

Are you carbon dosing something like NOPOX? If so, cut that back, because that will bring nitrates down to zero if you let it, and then feed more.

No dosing, I have a fuge with chaeto that would be the only thing. Removed filter socks too

 

[blasterman]

I run very clean tanks with low fish bioloads and often have trouble with low nitrate preferring to keep levels ideally around 5ppm for all corals You can only feed so much. It's also a lot easier adding nutrients with a low bioload then having the opposite condition.

I use potassium nitrate; basically stump remover. Works great.

I have the same issue with phosphate and use seachem flourish phosphate to keep those levels at a trace. Not convinced acropora need it, but montipora goes crazy when phosphate is kept present and stable.

 

[highest_tides]

I run very clean tanks with low fish bioloads and often have trouble with low nitrate preferring to keep levels ideally around 5ppm for all corals You can only feed so much. It's also a lot easier adding nutrients with a low bioload then having the opposite condition.

I use potassium nitrate; basically stump remover. Works great.

I have the same issue with phosphate and use seachem flourish phosphate to keep those levels at a trace. Not convinced acropora need it, but montipora goes crazy when phosphate is kept present and stable.

I just got a bottle of seachem flourish phosphate because of 0.0 phosphates a few weeks back. What's your mixing of solution/dosing amounts and process? I haven't used it yet

 

[SPR1968]

The easiest way is to add a few more fish and increase the bioload and then you can watch and enjoy them as well.

A good Nitrate target is around 5-10ppm but don’t let your phosphate increase and keep it very low. A good target is around 0.03ppm

 

[iGotJokess]

Quick update. Added a few fish to the display and a raw shrimp to the sump. Nitrates have gone up. I have some levels reaching higher readings, good time for a water change or will that just reset what I just achieved?
Current levels
Nitrate - >12 ppm
Phosphate - .23 ppm
Calcium - 484 ppm
Alk - 8.8 DKH

Shrimp is now out of the sump, put filter socks back on during this process now they’re sitting nice and brownish. Small water change to replenish and leave filter socks how they are to maintain nitrate?