No nitrates. Problem?

Scubajoe1 · 04/06/2015, 08:24 PM

Is there any problems associated with 0 nitrates? I hear SPS like a little like 0.25 ppm range or so. I would think when I feed fish or target feed the tank there should be some nitrate floating around of a little while at least that the SPS can use.

I am running my tank for three months now and have never been able to measure any nitrates or phosphates. I use the Hanna kit for phosphate and red sea low level kit for Nitrate. They both work as I used them to test friends tanks as well.

I have SPS and they seem to be growing...seeing new white tips but they have not encrusted with the coral skin containing the zooanthellae yet.

Thanks

Scubajoe

rfgonzo · 04/06/2015, 10:17 PM

IMO yes, my tank run best with NO3 around 10 ppm and PO4 detectable, this is when I see best color and growth. If my nitrates are undetectable I end up with STN. A few things you can do to bump up NO3 is feed more, add new fish, take skimmer off-line (if you have one)

bertoni · 04/06/2015, 10:25 PM

I think you'll get varying opinions. If the animals look well enough now, I wouldn't change anything. White tips are normal, at least to some degree, for growing corals. A picture might help.

CHSUB · 04/07/2015, 12:18 PM

I use NSW from around my home in Miami and i test it for NO3, never once since about 1999 has a Salifert tester ever measured any no3...not even the slightest pink color. the less no3 the better, with a hobby grade test kit, however!!!

Mr tap water · 04/07/2015, 01:41 PM

Personally I wouldn't go above 2 on your No3 if you're mainly keeping SPSs going to 10 would be more suitable for LPSs.

rfgonzo · 04/07/2015, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr tap water

Personally I wouldn't go above 2 on your No3 if you're mainly keeping SPSs going to 10 would be more suitable for LPSs.

All systems are different, my tank is 95% SPS with over 100 different kinds. If I let No3 go down to 2 I definitely notice bleaching and STN.

anthonys51 · 04/07/2015, 02:53 PM

how often do you feed your coral. i hear so many different opinions.

Scubajoe1 · 04/07/2015, 06:27 PM

I feed my corals about every other day or so mainly because I have a sun coral and have to feed it so I just feed the others at the same time.

Scubajoe1 · 04/07/2015, 06:29 PM

John B,
I will get some pictures up soon. Took some tonight but the lighting settings were different so hard to compare apples to apples for coloration. Once I get pics in the daytime I will take some pics.

Scubajoe

04/06/2015, 08:24 PM	#1
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	No nitrates. Problem? Is there any problems associated with 0 nitrates? I hear SPS like a little like 0.25 ppm range or so. I would think when I feed fish or target feed the tank there should be some nitrate floating around of a little while at least that the SPS can use. I am running my tank for three months now and have never been able to measure any nitrates or phosphates. I use the Hanna kit for phosphate and red sea low level kit for Nitrate. They both work as I used them to test friends tanks as well. I have SPS and they seem to be growing...seeing new white tips but they have not encrusted with the coral skin containing the zooanthellae yet. Thanks Scubajoe

04/06/2015, 10:17 PM	#2
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	IMO yes, my tank run best with NO3 around 10 ppm and PO4 detectable, this is when I see best color and growth. If my nitrates are undetectable I end up with STN. A few things you can do to bump up NO3 is feed more, add new fish, take skimmer off-line (if you have one) __________________ 210 gal reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 Gal sump mixed reef 100 gal Reef, 75 gal Refuge with 55 gal sump. SPS/LPS & 100 gal Japanese Dragon Moray eel tank with 40 gal sump 75 gal Brazilian Dragon Mor

04/06/2015, 10:25 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I think you'll get varying opinions. If the animals look well enough now, I wouldn't change anything. White tips are normal, at least to some degree, for growing corals. A picture might help. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/07/2015, 12:18 PM	#4
CHSUB "Certified Hobby Expert" Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 2,038	I use NSW from around my home in Miami and i test it for NO3, never once since about 1999 has a Salifert tester ever measured any no3...not even the slightest pink color. the less no3 the better, with a hobby grade test kit, however!!! __________________ Goniopora Police _________________ building a 60"x36"x30" peninsula reef...follow at "NEW TANK BUILD" on reef discussion forum! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2110638

04/07/2015, 01:41 PM	#5
Mr tap water Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 248	Personally I wouldn't go above 2 on your No3 if you're mainly keeping SPSs going to 10 would be more suitable for LPSs.

04/07/2015, 02:53 PM	#7
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	how often do you feed your coral. i hear so many different opinions.

04/07/2015, 06:27 PM	#8
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	I feed my corals about every other day or so mainly because I have a sun coral and have to feed it so I just feed the others at the same time.

04/07/2015, 06:29 PM	#9
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	John B, I will get some pictures up soon. Took some tonight but the lighting settings were different so hard to compare apples to apples for coloration. Once I get pics in the daytime I will take some pics. Scubajoe