nitrate problem in sps tank?

[CHSUB]

i have, in the last month or two, a problem with no3 and some sps deaths. i think the problem is elevated no3. (5-10 ppm). all other corals are doing fine, but my sps have really suffered, although some are fine. i'm wondering were folks with sps tanks keep their no3. i was doing fine when no3 was less than 1.

 

[Alex T.]

I've been there and back again.

I think if you carbon dose, feed a lot and add amino acids while keeping nitrates at 0 (or at least undetectable) that's one way to go...and what I use to do.

Now, I keep my nitrates around 5 while keeping phosphates around .03 and things are much easier and much more colorful. Some of the best SPS tanks I've seen in person and on these boards have surprised me with their nitrate levels; some as high as 10 with deep, rich colors.

So, I think that if all else is good, you could choose the low nutrient, supplement approach or keep some nitrate in the water and keep an eye on PO4.

Just my .02

 

[geldof]

Are you testing your other parameters? Sounds more like an Alk swing issue.

 

[CHSUB]

i have thought about all other possible causes for sps's loses but can only come up with two: accumulation of no3 above acceptable levels (although some find this level ok and ,in fact, desirable) or the release of toxins from a large sinularia dure (cabbage leather) but think that gac should absorbe these. all parameters are within acceptable ranges and very stable including alk, ph, temp, etc...i dose vinegar, gfo, gac, fug w/macro algea. i have noticed that stn has increased as no3 rose. so this was my first thought. one interesting fact is that po4 is 0.00 with a low range checker (error of +/- .04) and i think po4 has become a limiting nutrient causing the accumulation of no3. i'm hoping that taking the gfo offline will help lower the no3 to below 1...

 

[dan-in-gr]

Hi, I have found leather and SPS does not work, I would take all leathers out and run carbon and do a couple of water changes.

My SPS tank is 5 to 10 ppm, and I cannot lower them and do not want to use vodka/vinegar, I am building a sulfur nitrate reactor (dual chamber), and will have that online in a week or so. I also took out bio-pellets, they never got below 5 ppm, and after taken out, my nitrates did not go up.

I would say it is nitrates/leathers as main problem, my SPS are doing fine, but growth has really slowed down with higher nitrates and lack of nutrients from running bio-pellets, my po4 is always 0.00 on Hanna. I have now started this week with evening feedings of Oyster Feast, hopefully that will help a bit and when nitrate reactor goes on line soon, that will really help my tank.

I run a Calcium reactor and my Alk is dead steady, also check for Alk swings if not running a reactor.

 

[divewsharks]

Nitrates of 5 should not cause any death of your SPS. As mentioned, an ALK swing is more likely. Test your ALK for a few days, at the same time each day.

The leathers definitely could contribute, even with GAC.

 

[toothman]

Having high nitrates in a sps tank is really problematic it causes slow growth and some stn. Having no nitrates makes coral bleach.

Biopellest and carbon dosing is really dangerous and is a difficult way to keep nutrients down but is very effective. Many reports of stn as well as my first hand experience with stn from biopellets.

I will promise you that if you grow chaetoaemorpha (aka cheato) algae in a sump or refugium your nitrates will drop below 2 in a month. I do not know how much room you have but the more the better. The more light the better also, mercury vapor 150 watt is a great size.

If this sounds like something you would like to try I will pm you a picture of my set up.