Mariner
New member
There was some disagreement in another thread concerning whether or not SPS would benefit from keeping nitrate levels over 20. So, what do you say?
Mariner
Mariner
How many recommend Nitrates over 20 for SPS
- Thread starter Mariner
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RichConley
New member
To be honest, I wasnt reccomending nitrates that were 20+, I was saying that getting them down to 0 isnt that important, the phosphate is more of a consideration.
I've seen plenty of colorful SPS tanks with detectable nitrates. I've never seen a good looking SPS tank with high phosphates.
I've seen plenty of colorful SPS tanks with detectable nitrates. I've never seen a good looking SPS tank with high phosphates.
thebicyclecafe
New member
Okay, first of all SPS refers to many corals. Many corals under this category can in fact do quite well at nitrate levels of around 10ppm. However, if we are talking Acropora then this is a whole different story.
I don't know if you mean "recommending it" like it was good for the coral? By no means can a waste product like nitrate be good for any coral. It is more benign than phosphate to SPS or Acropora coral growth, but you'll still have nasty algal blooms and stuff. And honestly, the phosphates go along with the nitrates in my experience, they are both from animal waste, if you have nitrates, you may very well likely have phosphates as well. Montipora tend to do quite well under many conditions, but still try to keep everything nice and low.
Recommendation? Keep that nitrate pegged to zero or as close to as possible for anything you are keeping (unless you're keeping a colt coral or something that in fact does better with NO3). Good husbandry, that's what it is.
I don't know if you mean "recommending it" like it was good for the coral? By no means can a waste product like nitrate be good for any coral. It is more benign than phosphate to SPS or Acropora coral growth, but you'll still have nasty algal blooms and stuff. And honestly, the phosphates go along with the nitrates in my experience, they are both from animal waste, if you have nitrates, you may very well likely have phosphates as well. Montipora tend to do quite well under many conditions, but still try to keep everything nice and low.
Recommendation? Keep that nitrate pegged to zero or as close to as possible for anything you are keeping (unless you're keeping a colt coral or something that in fact does better with NO3). Good husbandry, that's what it is.
Amphiprion
Premium Member
I don't recommend it, but it is certainly tolerable by these corals.
!
jackson6745
Yeah Yeah
Re: How many recommend Nitrates over 20 for SPS
If there is a lot of GFO used in this system the coral colors will be insane. Tanks that I have seen with high nitrates and low phosphates have the best color that I have seen yet (even compared against zeo tanks) Don't ask me why it works
The colors are so rich and deep in systems like this.
Here's a good thread about it
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9324
If there is a lot of GFO used in this system the coral colors will be insane. Tanks that I have seen with high nitrates and low phosphates have the best color that I have seen yet (even compared against zeo tanks) Don't ask me why it works
The colors are so rich and deep in systems like this. Here's a good thread about it
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9324
dots
Premium Member
I have to agree with the color deeping. I pulled a newbie and forgot all about the live rock I added recently. I thought, what the ^$^&, I should test the old nitrates just to see how my montly water change regement is shaping up. I freaked when the nitrates were around 45ppm, from the live rock die off cycling through. Idiot!! Though I was noticing how dark and bold my digitatas were getting. Large water changes, and were back to normal, suppose they will lighten up now.
Mariner
New member
Jackson6745,
Why not vote "Yes" on my poll question then? I'm really looking for people like yourself who believe elevated nitrates benefit SPS. I was challenged to see if there were not SPS keepers who felt this way, and that's who I'm looking for. So, why wouldn't you vote yes?
thanks,
Mariner
Why not vote "Yes" on my poll question then? I'm really looking for people like yourself who believe elevated nitrates benefit SPS. I was challenged to see if there were not SPS keepers who felt this way, and that's who I'm looking for. So, why wouldn't you vote yes?
thanks,
Mariner
jackson6745
Yeah Yeah
I didn't vote yes because I have also seen quite a bit of RTN/STN when Nitrates climb too high (over 50ppm). I didn't say elevated nitrates benefit SPS, but they can be used to manipulate colors just as the lenght of photoperiod. I should actually vote no on your poll
G-money
Premium Member
I don't know if I can agree with the whole "well, the ocean doesn't have it" argument. There are many instances where man takes something from nature, modifies its environment/conditions and ends up with results that are hardly inferior to what nature produces.
Nitrate has no immediate detrimental effects on corals the way phosphate does. I've long thought that the insistance on zero nitrate is way too overstated.
Nitrate has no immediate detrimental effects on corals the way phosphate does. I've long thought that the insistance on zero nitrate is way too overstated.
Mariner
New member
Ok, thanks for the explanation. Still, if you can manipulate color with nitrate to your liking, that might be considered some benefit...maybe not...<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7129388#post7129388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jackson6745
I didn't vote yes because I have also seen quite a bit of RTN/STN when Nitrates climb too high (over 50ppm). I didn't say elevated nitrates benefit SPS, but they can be used to manipulate colors just as the lenght of photoperiod. I should actually vote no on your poll
Mariner
G-money
Premium Member
It's not easy to do this conventionally. I think the most apparent way would be to keep feeding heavy, skim a little lighter and use a GFO in your system. Minimizing anaerobic regions would also lower the rate of nitrification, which would help.
The most immediate way would be to add the nitrate chemically - though I couldn't say what form or amount of NO3 would be safe to add. Maybe you could ask Randy. KNO3 would be my guess. I use it as one of the fetilizers in my FW tank.
Amphiprion
Premium Member
G-money--I think KNO3 would definitely be the safest bet if you wanted to add nitrate. But have you also noticed the increase in color in plants when nitrate levels are elevated, phosphate lowered, and overall inorganic carbon content is increased? While these dynamics don't work quite the same in the ocean, it would be interesting to note any changes, etc.
JB NY
Active member
Personally I don't advocated high nitrates when keeping SPS. If you are talking about deep coloration you have two choices IMO to have very good coloration with very low nutrients and not have high nitrates.
Keep more fish.
Use less powerful lighting.
I think many people started to go overboard with lighting, less fish and very clean water. The result is you see more people posting about not getting that deep color that they like so much.
Keep more fish.
Use less powerful lighting.
I think many people started to go overboard with lighting, less fish and very clean water. The result is you see more people posting about not getting that deep color that they like so much.
Mike O'Brien
New member
From Randy's nitrate article.
" In most cases where nitrate levels have been examined in relation to the growth of calcerous corals, the effects have been reasonably small, but significant. Elevated nitrate has been shown to reduce the growth of Porites compressa (at less than 0.3-0.6 ppm nitrate),16,17 but the effect is eliminated if the alkalinity is elevated as well (to 4.5 meq/L). One explanation is that the elevated nitrate drives the growth of the zooxanthellae to such an extent that it actually competes with the host for inorganic carbon (used in photosynthesis and skeletal deposition). When the alkalinity is elevated, this competition no longer deprives the host of needed carbon.17 "
