Using Chaeto and Nitrate Readings

[Dlealrious]

Hi there
Since i started adding coral i have always struggled to keep NO3 above 1ppm so i dose KN03 6ppm every 2 days . I have a fuge about 10% of my total water volume and my Chaeto grows well even now with 6hr light cycle. I got an ICP test done and my N03 came back as 16mg/l. So am i correct in assuming the Chaeto is holding all the NO3? Also i dont do water changes very often, it was 3 months since my last one when i send off a test. I did one a fews weeks after sending off test though. I use salifert NO3 kit.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

how does your tank look? How about the color of the coral? Your tank pic looks great. I would not worry about it. Also maybe back your NO3 dose down. The cheato will suck up NO3, and it will release it if it dies. Watch your PO4 as that much NO3 will consume PO4. Its a balancing act for me. I dose Both, NO3 and PO4.

 

[Dlealrious]

I think colours are good, growth is ok guess, cant compare to anything as i havent kept coral before. It does explain maybe why some corals have more green to them then in think they should. I thought maybe too much iodine as i read somewhere thats may contribute. My po4 is always really low 0 to 6ppb. Dont really test often as its always really low. Was feeding reef roids a bit but due to vermetid oit break stopped that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi there
Since i started adding coral i have always struggled to keep NO3 above 1ppm so i dose KN03 6ppm every 2 days . I have a fuge about 10% of my total water volume and my Chaeto grows well even now with 6hr light cycle. I got an ICP test done and my N03 came back as 16mg/l. So am i correct in assuming the Chaeto is holding all the NO3? Also i dont do water changes very often, it was 3 months since my last one when i send off a test. I did one a fews weeks after sending off test though. I use salifert NO3 kit.

I'm not sure what you mean by holding it all, but every photosynthetic organism in your tank is taking up N and P. If you are happy with the way the tank appears health wise, I'd keep going as usual. But since nitrate is a little higher than most people target, I'd consider dosing slightly less.

I'd also boost potassium. It is pretty low.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I thought maybe too much iodine as i read somewhere thats may contribute.

Unlikely, IMO. I'd be skeptical of claims that specific elements cause specific colors.

Your phosphate (0.02 ppm) in the report is about perfect, IMO.

 

[Dlealrious]

Thanks for your advise, ill stop dosing and see how the colours go.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for your advise, ill stop dosing and see how the colours go.

FWIW, dosing iodine is a fine experiment, I'd just wouldn't assume a specific effect.

 

[Dlealrious]

I'm not sure what you mean by holding it all, but every photosynthetic organism in your tank is taking up N and P. If you are happy with the way the tank appears health wise, I'd keep going as usual. But since nitrate is a little higher than most people target, I'd consider dosing slightly less.

I'd also boost potassium. It is pretty low.

Yeah i have increased dosing potassium and stontium. Here i was thinking potassium would be high since i dose kn03