nitrate

[Courtstig]

i'm reading different places that my nitrates and phosphates should not be zero . what should they be? also how to raise them? should i shut off the skimmer? not do water changes? any advice is appreciated .

 

[Mixed Reefer]

In my opinion shut off skimmer. Water changes are for exporting and replenishing elements. If you did a 50% water change and your nitrates were at 30. The 50% water change would lower your nitrates to 15. So no need for water change I run nitrates between 10-15 and my phosphate runs .03-.06. You need to have some of each or you will have issues with algae.

 

[chadfish]

Do you have chaeto? If so, maybe just start by ditching it.

 

[Courtstig]

Yup just did that last week hopefully it helps

 

[chadfish]

Yup just did that last week hopefully it helps

I was in the same place. My nitrates are up to 2ppm! Woohoo

 

[cablez]

10:1 ratio....basically..........about 10-20 nitrate...and above 0.01-0.03 phos....but deffo under a full 1.

 

[MikeG]

any issue with nuisance algae and have they always measured 0? How are you measuring? What and how much do you feed?

 

[Courtstig]

any issue with nuisance algae and have they always measured 0? How are you measuring? What and how much do you feed?

no alage to speak of, using salifert tests and yes always been zero.i feed several times a day pellets,flake,frozen