SPS and Nitrate! Where do you keep it?

[watchguy123]

I think that chasing numbers very well may be the key to maximize color, growth and vitality. It’s just that no one has a clear idea of exactly what should be chased.

Nitrates and phosphates have a seemingly large range of successful levels and ratios. Par/pur has large ranges.

It’s hard to know what you don’t know. Which means it’s hard to chase what probably hasn’t been singled out or identified yet.

The intriguing part of some of the new testing/monitoring machinery is that they will likely give us more info on multiple elements. But again the answer may not resolve with those elements anyway.

 

[jda]

There is also a large range in statements like "crazy growth and colors," or the like. Looking at tanks in person is a good idea and you can judge and compare for yourself.

 

[HotRocks]

There is also a large range in statements like "crazy growth and colors," or the like. Looking at tanks in person is a good idea and you can judge and compare for yourself.

I would also venture to guess the individual coral itself has alot to do with it. Some may tolerate or "thrive" in higher nutrient tanks where others may prefer the opposite.

 

[jda]

^ For sure. I doubt that most LPS and probably lots of Montis might never even notice. "corals" is a pretty broad term.

I can tell a huge difference if my nitrate even hits 2 or 3 with the smooth skinned and other more sensitive acropora that I see.

In my experience, everything can thrive at NSW level parameters, but some things can continue to thrive well beyond this.

 

[HotRocks]

Nitrate is definitely improving my color

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

Hi, sorry i missed this one! For what concern lighting, i think they are related. In general higher pars means higher tank but also coral metabolism and higher need for N and C. So probably (but i'm guessing here) with higher light intensity higher levels of NO3 and PO4 may help corals. I keep no3 at 5ppm and have really intense lighting with 5 led bars (here it's one of best lighting, but in the US are not used, they are called easyled) and my corals are doing very well. One year ago i had 0 NO3 with the same lighting and my corals were more pale and some eventually went in RTN.



Thanks, i agree. In my experience i found the excessive DOC (measured with my eyes by looking at the glass film color) to affect coral coloration and growth way way more than NO3 level. You are right, the main problem is that our testing kits only measure the inorganic part of the cycle (NO2, NO3 and PO4).

I'd be very interested on your thoughts of glass film color.
After a dino outbreak last year due to 0 nitrates and phosphates, I am constantly monitoring my levels, and dosing a couple of times a week to get them up.
A couple of weeks ago my levels were 5 and 0.03 and I was getting a green film on the glass that needed cleaning every day.
I have been away from my tank for a week, nutrients bottomed out and I had a brown film on my glass.
Brown makes me very nervous.

 

[chcgregg]

Reigniting this thread; what do we think now? How did you go with your Acropora @HotRocks

 

[HotRocks]

Reigniting this thread; what do we think now? How did you go with your Acropora @HotRocks

It went so good I don’t even have a tank running in my house anymore lol!

Acro tank was ok till it wasn’t. Then my 750xxl
Started leaking and I just didn’t have it in me to start over again.

I could go on and on, my kids are getting older constantly at dance, cheer, etc… I am self employed and our business is growing so my free time is super limited……..

 

[chcgregg]

It went so good I don’t even have a tank running in my house anymore lol!

Acro tank was ok till it wasn’t. Then my 750xxl
Started leaking and I just didn’t have it in me to start over again.

I could go on and on, my kids are getting older constantly at dance, cheer, etc… I am self employed and our business is growing so my free time is super limited……..

Sounds like “life” to me, haha.

Here’s hoping you venture into the hobby one day. Thanks for starting the thread, it was a good read.