What is too low for nitrates?

[Jake_the_reefer]

So my question is what is too for nitrates? Before I had a skimmer and fuge my nitrates were sitting at about 25ppm no matter the water changes i did. Now they are resting at .02ppm. Is this too low or a good amount? I understand trace amounts of nitrates are good when trying to maintain a reef tank. But what is too low?

 

[ScottR]

So my question is what is too for nitrates? Before I had a skimmer and fuge my nitrates were sitting at about 25ppm no matter the water changes i did. Now they are resting at .02ppm. Is this too low or a good amount? I understand trace amounts of nitrates are good when trying to maintain a reef tank. But what is too low?

What exactly are you keeping in your tank? SPS, mixed reef, fish only?

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I have an error it's not .02 its .2

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

What exactly are you keeping in your tank? SPS, mixed reef, fish only?

Its mixed reef with softies (zoas and shrooms) heavy lps and a few sps (birdsnest and pocilipora)

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Everything is growing just fine and shows no signs of a struggle

 

[ScottR]

At 2 you’re ok. They’re not zeroed out. I’d be happy if I could keep mine at that level.

 

[SCHAULJ]

My nitrates are 0 and my phosphates are 0... i ordered brightwell neonitro and neophos to start dosing... I have dinos currently. U don't want zero!

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

My nitrates are 0 and my phosphates are 0... i ordered brightwell neonitro and neophos to start dosing... I have dinos currently. U don't want zero!

I have something that's not dino lol I I beleive its cyano. Its bright red

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, 1-5 ppm nitrate is a good range for most tanks. More can be ok if algae is kept in check some other way.