Whats wrong with my tank?

[GHOSTLY]

Let's get started. 10 months old, radion light, 1200gph pump, fluval cp20.
Parameters
Calcium 470
Alk 10
Nitrate 2? This is important
Mag 1400.
Here's the problem. I can't figure out why my nitrate is at 2. I've been trying to get it to 5 but every time I get to 5 it goes down. I haven't done a water change in 1 month now and nitrates still at 2. What can I do?

 

[bevo5]

There are more details people might need. Like tank size, fish etc. But the general rule of thumb is more food = more waste = higher nitrates.

So if you really want to get them to 5, then feed a bit heavier and see if that helps. There are other ways, of course, but this is probably the easiest to try. Just be careful what you wish for.

But I'd love my nitrates to be around 2.

 

[GHOSTLY]

There are more details people might need. Like tank size, fish etc. But the general rule of thumb is more food = more waste = higher nitrates.

So if you really want to get them to 5, then feed a bit heavier and see if that helps. There are other ways, of course, but this is probably the easiest to try. Just be careful what you wish for.

But I'd love my nitrates to be around 2.

I have 4 fish and feel 5 times a day and doe phyto daily. 13g

 

[DinoMagnet]

What are you testing with?

 

[GHOSTLY]

What are you testing with?

Saliferts kit 5 months old

 

[fishguy242]

agree like nitrate above 20, 30 is good ,imo,
what is your PO4 at.?

 

[Dan_P]

Let's get started. 10 months old, radion light, 1200gph pump, fluval cp20.
Parameters
Calcium 470
Alk 10
Nitrate 2? This is important
Mag 1400.
Here's the problem. I can't figure out why my nitrate is at 2. I've been trying to get it to 5 but every time I get to 5 it goes down. I haven't done a water change in 1 month now and nitrates still at 2. What can I do?

Why is 5 ppm more desirable than 2ppm?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I see no apparent "problem" with a nitrate level of 2 ppm, unless you want it higher, then it becomes an issue to deal with.

Feeding more of dosing nitrate seem like simple solutions.

have you measured phosphate? That may guide the selection of a nitrate raising scheme.

 

[GHOSTLY]

I always hear nitrate at 5 is better than 2. I have a mixed reef.

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

Out of curiosity why are you trying to raise nitrates? You seem to feed more than enough for your tank. Whats your phos? do you have coral? Are they happy? - kali

 

[GHOSTLY]

Out of curiosity why are you trying to raise nitrates? You seem to feed more than enough for your tank. Whats your phos? do you have coral? Are they happy? - kali

Yes. I think phos is around .05 right now since last time I checked last month it was at 0.03

 

[GHOSTLY]

Out of curiosity why are you trying to raise nitrates? You seem to feed more than enough for your tank. Whats your phos? do you have coral? Are they happy? - kali

I heard 5 is better than 2

 

[fishguy242]

I heard 5 is better than 2

50 ,do a small water change, 30-40 ok imo.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I always hear nitrate at 5 is better than 2. I have a mixed reef.

Not always. If no one else has ever said it to you, I said differently. lol

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

I heard 5 is better than 2

technically yes, but if your tank is happy trying to push higher nitrates might hurt more than itll help. Consistency is more important than the number - kali

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

Yes. I think phos is around .05 right now since last time I checked last month it was at 0.03

your tank looks good, the coral all seem to be extended as well. If anything, a phos closer to .08 is more desired than a nitrate at 5 - kali

 

[GHOSTLY]

If they look fine ill just leave it

 

[Lavey29]

You can always dose some neonitro. That's what I did for a few weeks. Double dosed it and got my nitrates up over 5. Are you using anything like purigen which may limit nitrates production?

 

[GHOSTLY]

You can always dose some neophos. That's what I did for a few weeks. Double dosed it and got my nitrates up over 5. Are you using anything like purigen which may limit nitrates production?

I have chaeto that has not had light for a week and four fish that I feed 5 times a day. Water change last month

 

[Lavey29]

I have chaeto that has not had light for a week and four fish that I feed 5 times a day. Water change last month

Sorry I meant neonitro but yes your fuge may be using your nitrates along with your corals.