Ideal nitrate level for SPS

[ryshark]

My corals definitely got pale when I hit 0-Nitrate (Elos) recently and I have been feeding OysterFeast the entire time, it didn't seem to matter. Since then I purchased a bunch of small new fish and dosed ReefBooster by Prodibio. We'll see what happens in the next week or so. If this doesn't work I will try dosing Amino Acids. It just seems as it would be easier to just increase the bioload instead of doing more dosing ie. AA I will know more over the next few weeks.

 

[BrentH]

I'm going through this right now trying to figure out good or ideal number to shoot for 0 is not workin for me I'd say .2 to .5

 

[nogascans]

Personally, I've had significantly more color and growth since my nitrates reached ~5ppm. The key is to do so while keeping PO4 in check.

Agreed. AND, I find it easier to keep P04 in check when Nitrates are at 5, versus lower values.

Sincerely,

David

 

[trueblackpercula]

I voted 1 to 2 only because when I go lower my Sps go to the lighter side.

 

[Peter Eichler]

I simply like them to be detectable, I don't think it matters much if it's .2 or 2 ppm. I see clear signs of stress in several of my corals when maintained at ND levels for any length of time.

 

[BrentH]

Agreed. AND, I find it easier to keep P04 in check when Nitrates are at 5, versus lower values.

Sincerely,

David

Tmz said same thing but vice versa is it just more of a balance thing to have a little of both?

 

[CHSUB]

Old thread, but we still have the same problems"¦
Look at this post:

I only had a few fish in my 90 and my nitrates were 0 but my corals were pale and didn't grow much. I added a few Anthias and a Wrasse and feed twice a day now so my nitrates are at 2 for the last few weeks and my corals look better than ever. More colorful and are finally growing. So I guees I will target 2-5. I'm adding another fish so my total will be 10 so I will have a lot fish now so I will have to keep up with water changes, skimming etc.

he added more fish, fed more and his corals improved. That's the answer! The results of more food input NOT raising NO3. Undetectable with salfert is not 0.00. Keep NO3 as low as possible and feed as much as you can export. IMO, it's that easy!!!

 

[moray23]

I think my tank looks best when they are between 2 and 5.

 

[Tuffloud1]

I think my tank looks best when they are between 2 and 5.

"I like to glue animals to rocks and put rediculous amounts of electricity next to salt water "

LOL!!!!!! I love it, well done!

 

[Tuffloud1]

Old thread, but we still have the same problems…
he added more fish, fed more and his corals improved. That’s the answer! The results of more food input NOT raising NO3. Undetectable with salfert is not 0.00. Keep NO3 as low as possible and feed as much as you can export. IMO, it’s that easy!!!

This makes a lot of sense to me.

What I wonder though, is with that increased feeding helping the sps, in turn, will increasing the nitrates be detrimental. I realize it is the extra food going in that is helping the sps, not the nitrate, however even if you did allow the nitrate to increase, how detrimental is this for sps?

I see a lot of information regarding having "a little nitrate" to help sps, what I am not finding is anything regarding the negative effects of elevated nitrates on sps.

My LFS has a beautiful sps only tank that has amazing colors and they keep their nitrates at 20ppm and feed heavily with a small amount of fish.