Nitrate Levels

[Jeff S]

I have a FOWLR 100 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump. The tank has been running for about 3 months. I have 2 firefish, 2 peppermint shrimp and 4 small hermit crabs, 6 snails. Feeding frozen mysis and flake food each once a day.
Going to add more fish but just got a QT yesterday so it will be at least 4 weeks before I add any.

Using RODI as my source water.

I'm growing Chaeto in the refugium.

Had a couple of blooms of diatoms that cleared itself up over about 3 weeks. A little green algae starting on the rocks but nothing bad.

Using red sea test kit. Below are the Nitrate results
3 Jul "“ 10 ppm
7 Jul "“ 5 ppm
21 Jul"”3 ppm
5 Sep "“0 ppm

Are my nitrates too low? (Can they be too low?) If so should I just harvest some of the Chaeto? (Only done that once took about a 3rd then; should I be doing this more often?).

 

[RobZilla04]

Check phosphate levels. There is a balance chart available online that outlines how the two relate. If the balance is off, that can lead to different type of algae out breaks.

Easy solution is to keep both nitrate and phosphate levels really low.

 

[nereefpat]

In a fish only tank, the nitrates can't be too low. I'd say you are in great shape, and are ready to add some more fish.