ideal phosphate and nitrate level

[M Woodhill]

i wanna have a tank mixed with both lps and sps

so whats the ideal level of nitrate and phosphate?

cuz for sps only, id always like to control both of them on the level of zero or as little as possible

thanx in advance!

 

[Basketstar]

I think you answered your own question.

For my mixed reef, 0 p04 and 0.2-0.5 n03 is ideal. Getting down to absolute zero nitrate has always caused color issues with my lps and sps.

 

[Ostentum]

Agreed with Basketstar. You want to keep some No3 for color.

 

[stunreefer]

You don't want 0 PO4 either, just close to it. Many test kits will show 0 when there is a slight amount unless you're using a Hanna or similar. 0.03 ppm PO4 is great.

 

[Ricardo Santos]

you don't want 0 po4 either, just close to it. Many test kits will show 0 when there is a slight amount unless you're using a hanna or similar. 0.03 ppm po4 is great.

+1

 

[HerbieK]

My PO4 runs about .06 on the meter running GFO 24X7

NO3 is usually between 5 and 10

Pretty heavily stocked 180, all SPS.

Running Zeo believe it or not, and no real nuisance algae to speak of.

Maybe my sick flow helps, 4 X MP40 2 on each end, 7 Tunze Nanos, most modded across the back, and 1200 gph returns split between 2 SeaSwirls

Herb

 

[allsps40]

I agree with wanting low levels of po4 and no3. My sps have been light in color for a while. no3 is 0 and po4 is .025. I have been trying to get the no3 up a little to see if it will help. But I just cant seem to get it to go up at all. I am feeding about 3 times as much as I used to. I am not dosing vodka any more and only did for a short time and levels where the same and I am not running a ULNS.

 

[Photo_John]

your never going to get to zero assuming you have fish and you feed them...shoot for undetectable

 

[joao junior]

think you answered your own question.

For my mixed reef, 0 p04 and 0.2-0.5 n03 is ideal. Getting down to absolute zero nitrate has always caused color issues with my lps and sps.[/QUOTE]

if i have 0 nitrate what i do to rise it??i don´t want to rise po4 too.

 

[allsps40]

So what do you do to raise no3 with out po4?? My nitrates are really close to absolute 0, I have been having lightening and color issues.

 

[sedor]

I think you answered your own question.

For my mixed reef, 0 p04 and 0.2-0.5 n03 is ideal. Getting down to absolute zero nitrate has always caused color issues with my lps and sps.

I would actually say the oposite...always shoot for 0 No3 and 0.03 - 0.05 PO4...FWIW the oceans PO4 levels are a pretty consistent 0.03. Usually shooting for undetectable levels on hobbyist test kits is ideal.

 

[luvdiving]

So what do you do to raise no3 with out po4?? My nitrates are really close to absolute 0, I have been having lightening and color issues.

you can try skimming less. But I would keep running some form of phosphate remover.

 

[allsps40]

I have set my skimmer to skim dry. Need to get more GFO, ran out a while ago but I dont need to run it all the time.

 

[gary faulkner]

what is a good brand of test kit to measure low leverls of nitrate?

 

[allsps40]

Agreed with Basketstar. You want to keep some No3 for color.

I agree. 2-5 ppm no3 and 0 ppm po4.

 

[M007]

your never going to get to zero assuming you have fish and you feed them...shoot for undetectable

++++1 If you actually were to achieve true zero your reef would be sterile.