Hey guys! Need a little help… I was doing my weekend maintenance and checked my parameters… nitrates are reading 0. I tested twice with a Red Sea test to make sure and got 0 both times. Everything seems happy right now but I want to get them up so avoid any future issues. Only thing I can think to do is increase feedings and maybe switch my filter sock changes from twice a week to once? Would that be the safest, gradual way to handle it? I used to feed twice a day pellets and seaweed pellets, and coral food/mysis twice a week, but I tended to be a heavy feeder and fed them once a day generously, then still the coral/mysis twice a week. Thoughts?
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@mpw213
82d
You may not need to do anything. I added a macro algae in a 2.5 gallon and it bottomed me out from 10 to 0 pretty quickly. My corals were fine but I started dosing pure nitrate (started very low) and it’s worked well for me and I’ve had more coral growth since doing that. I wouldn’t do this unless you had a really accurate tester with low range (I use a Hanna) because the cheap tests can read 0 or trace when your values are actually fine
@kellbells08421
82d
I’m actually going to buy a Nitrate Hanna test to use instead. I’ve been slowly switching all my tests over to that brand. I haven’t seen any issues within the tank, all seems happy and the coral is growing
@mpw213
82d
If everything is happy probably don’t need to worry too much! But will be good to get nitrates in there eventually if it’s by feeding more or dosing. I’d recommend the Hanna phosphate tester as well! I use those 2 values to adjust my feeding and timing of water changes
@kellbells08421
82d
Awesome thank u! I’ll add that to my tester wishlist haha I have the mag, calcium and PH ones ones, slowly building up my collection
@mpw213
82d
I use Hanna phos, nitrate, and Alk (I’d say all are must-buy). Salifert for magnesium, Hanna one isn’t accurate for me. And I use Hanna calcium but some people hate it. It’s accurate for me but I buy lab grade distilled water for it.
@Lusty_Heath_70
82d
Hey @kellbells08421 I’ve definitely been there with zero nitrates and getting nervous! Increasing feeding a little sounds like a solid plan but yeah, just go slow so you don’t accidentally spike organics or phosphates. Also maybe try holding off on changing the filter sock so often since they
@LolasReef
82d
Hey @kellbells08421 I’m there right now and everyone’s comments are accurate but here is the catch, everything looks great right now with the reality is by the time you realize something is wrong It’s too late if you have zero Nitrates you’re starving your corals you’ll not see a difference overnight or in a week or two I’ve been fighting to get my phosphates and nitrates up and starting to see a handful of my corals not dying but receding they were definitely not happy and I believe will starve if I didn’t do anything, so I’m starting to dose brightwell’s NeoNitro, i’ve tried everything increased feeding increase time between filter sock changes. I’m dosing all for reef from Tropic. Marin and I just cannot get my nitrates up. I can get my phosphates up, but then they go back down. I’ve literally just started dosing it today so I’ll keep you posted.
@kellbells08421
81d
Def keep me posted! I’m going to put an order in to BRS for some stuff so I might grab a bottle of that too as a ‘just incase’
@kellbells08421
80d
Question are you having issues with a brown algae coating the sand with ur ur nitrates down? I’m noticing it popping up like right after a water change. Been doing some research and worried I might have dinos going on in there and might not be just diatoms. Are you running a UV sterilizer on yours along with dosing?
@LolasReef
80d
If you change the lights to white is the algae still brown or change color? You may need more CUC , I ran into the same issue and bought a conch and sand sifting star fish and it solved the issue, I do not have a UV light. They now keep it well under control. If it’s normal algae you are ok. How long are you running your lights?
@kellbells08421
80d
I have them running for about 10 hours now. Yes the algae is still brown with lights off. I noticed it the past 2 weeks and thought it was from me changing placement of the wavemaker for the corals. I just thought diatoms but with the low nitrates it made me question it. I have a Hanna nitrate checker coming so I’ll see if I have any traces of nitrates that my current test isn’t picking up 🤞🏻
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Best advice i ever got in the hobby was chase stability not numbers. If everything is happy don't mess with it unless there's an actual problem that needs to be addressed. You can find out a lot by just observing your tank. I haven't checked a parameter besides salinity in well over 5 years up until the other day just because I was curious. Over the years I've found the less I mess with the reef the healthier it is.
Thank you!!! Yeah I’m pretty new to this hobby an any number I see out of wack I launch into panic mode that I did something wrong!
Unless you're doing sps don't worry about a little "dirtier" water. Most softies and lps tend to prefer it in my experience. With smaller tanks like this a weekly or bi weekly 20% water change and filter swap every few days will Most likely cover most if not all of your tanks needs. Even if your feeding heavy.