What’s an acceptable nitrate level when keeping invertebrates?

[msavoy]

So I’ve had my tank cycled since about a month and nitrate levels have come down a lot since the end of the cycle. They were over 100 at one point but now remain between 10 and 20. I do 10
gallon water changes once a week, it’s a 40 gallon tank. But nitrate levels seem to stay at this level. I know invertebrates are much more sensitive to nitrates than fish and I was wondering with nitrates at this level would it be safe to keep a banded coral shrimp? Also, how do you feel about nitrates at this level? Should I try to get them lower and if so, other than water changes, how could I do that? I don’t feel I’m over feeding at all, my fish eat everything I give them within a minute or two. Thanks for your help.

 

[dwest]

So I’ve had my tank cycled since about a month and nitrate levels have come down a lot since the end of the cycle. They were over 100 at one point but now remain between 10 and 20. I do 10
gallon water changes once a week, it’s a 40 gallon tank. But nitrate levels seem to stay at this level. I know invertebrates are much more sensitive to nitrates than fish and I was wondering with nitrates at this level would it be safe to keep a banded coral shrimp? Also, how do you feel about nitrates at this level? Should I try to get them lower and if so, other than water changes, how could I do that? I don’t feel I’m over feeding at all, my fish eat everything I give them within a minute or two. Thanks for your help.

10-20 is great. Mine are 25 and things are doing great.

 

[msavoy]

10-20 is great. Mine are 25 and things are doing great.

Ok perfect this is good to hear. So I guess it’s not necessary to get the levels down any lower then that if things are doing well. I read where some people have them at 5 or less.

 

[nano_ryan]

My dads tank runs at 30ppm. His corals grow faster then mine lol.

 

[msavoy]

My dads tank runs at 30ppm. His corals grow faster then mine lol.

Nice! I shall leave mine where they are then. Thanks!

 

[dwest]

You will hear about all kinds of levels being best. I have been keeping reef tanks since the 90’s. The worst times for my tanks were when I was trying to get nitrates and phosphates very low.

 

[Flippers4pups]

40+ here and no problems.

 

[Uncle99]

While I agree you can run higher levels of nutrients, I’d purposely keep mine in the lower range until the tank is at least 1 year old.

I note that many of the reefers successfully running higher nutrients seem to have mature reefs.

 

[Rp8]

While I agree you can run higher levels of nutrients, I’d purposely keep mine in the lower range until the tank is at least 1 year old.

I note that many of the reefers successfully running higher nutrients seem to have mature reefs.

+1, that's right on the nose.