Climbing Nitrates

[MidTnMike41]

Just have a quick nitrate question that someone with more experience than myself can answer. My tank is about 9 months and so far things are going exactly as expected, slow and steady. After the initial cycle my nitrates went down to 0 where they stayed for several months. My guess is because all the algae I had was taking it up. Now my tank is algae free and looking good but I noticed my nitrates started creeping up about a month ago. Nothing serious yet. My tank is by no means overstocked, only a few small fish. Below are my current parameters.

My question is, should I start considering carbon dosing or just leave it be and see where it lands. How high should my nitrates get before I need to start being concerned? I am shooting for a mixed tank, mostly LPS.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
nitrate 5ppm up from 0 a month ago
phospahte .02ppm
ca 420
alk 9
mag 1350

 

[TimeConsumer]

It's by no means a dangerous level. But something to keep an eye on. What methods are you using for nutrient export?

 

[MidTnMike41]

I change filter sock every 2-3 days, skimming, carbon, and gfo. I also do about 20% water change every other week. Tanks seems happy right now, my only concern is that the nitrate test is getting a little darker every week now. I am just not sure when I need to start being concerned. I tried putting cheato in my sump but it never grew and eventually just fell apart.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Hm. Did the chaeto fail during the algae episode or after? It could have been getting outcompeted by the algae and worth another shot.

Which nitrate test are you using?

 

[MidTnMike41]

I am using the red Sea nitrate test. There was not any hair algea in the tank when I had the chaeto but the entire tank was covered in red slime at the time. I did notice the nitrate started going up as soon as the red slime went away. I will prob give chaeto another try before I do anything else.