Where yo nitrates at?

[gurumasta]

What do you guys target for a nitrate level?

I understand it can vary depending on your tank inhabitants..

Just wondering..

 

[aresangel]

I think most of us want it at 20 or below. Since I don't have sps if mine is 40 or below then I am happy. If it is above 40 I do a couple bigger water changes in a week


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[dz6t]

5 ppm is pretty good.


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[Jbotelho85]

Mine is around 20ppm, no filtration besides live rock and purigen, weekly water changes.

 

[Chris A.]

Mine is down to ~10

 

[gurumasta]

Mine is down to ~10

How did you get them down? Did you build that denitrater top secret device?

 

[Chris A.]

Just vodka
It's not only good at reducing my stress but can reduce nitrates lol

 

[dz6t]

Rum works better...for me.
Vodka is just too boring.



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[Chris A.]

Rum works better...for me.
Vodka is just too boring.



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Rum makes me too silly

 

[gurumasta]

So can people chime in on any experience they have had with little to nitrates and the visual impact on your corals?

Years ago it was all about a low nutrient system to keep corals happy and now I read a ton about having at least 5 ppm nitrates and some phosphate for good color/growth. I also have read that dinos are the top competitor in ultra low nutrient systems and that we need to give other algae something to feed off of in order to out compete dinos.

Then I read about super jacked out steroid refugiums to export all of the nutrients.

Should I just stop reading maybe?

 

[aresangel]

So after my earlier comment I was surprised that my nitrates were 5 ppm. I didn't test for about 2-3 months. I know corals need the phosphates for energy used in creating their new tissues and skeletons (or so I have read). I have always aimed for low but have not really freaked out unless it was above 0.5 phosphates and 80-100ppm nitrates.

I would have to read more about the Dino's but that makes sense to me since when ever I hear about someone having a problem they have 0ppm nitrates. As long as the tank looks happy I am happy


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[Paul B]

Mine are 160. Anything under 100 is for Sissies.

 

[Chris A.]

One day when I have the space I'll setup a softie tank and I'll keep it at 200 ppm lol

 

[Paul B]

If you get your nitrates to 200, I will get mine to 300.

 

[Chris A.]

Deal

 

[AlbertG]

If you get your nitrates to 200, I will get mine to 300.

NITRATES ?
WHATS THAT ? AND HOW YOU TEST FOR IT ?
I WANT TO BE ON THE CONTEST

 

[Chris A.]

It's easy , just stop your weekly water changes and you'll see them somewhere in your tank

 

[dz6t]

Who dare to try a phosphate contest?


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[Abrooks12376]

Who dare to try a phosphate contest?


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I'm in!! 4-5ppm on average!








**in my fw planted**
[emoji12]

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[Paul B]

I have no test kits, if I feel the need to test for something I bring some water to a LFS and let them use their test kits. But if I stick a pencil in my tank, it stands up, is that bad?

Weekly water changes! I do that weekly 4 or 5 times a year if I have time. Sometimes my fish change their own water.