Ok wait a minute....

[zacharytrimble]

So corals eat nitrates to some extent?...someone please explain

 

[dc_909]

I have heard that about clams, but haven't done much research

 

[paradicio]

I'm just guessing here, but...

I'm assuming the zooxanthellae algae living within the corals would consume nitrates like any other algae? Someone let me know if I'm crazy.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9476345#post9476345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paradicio
I'm just guessing here, but...

I'm assuming the zooxanthellae algae living within the corals would consume nitrates like any other algae? Someone let me know if I'm crazy.

Bingo. Its not to any great degree (so dont use it as an excuse to skip water changes- its still a Very small level), but they do use it. There are records of people with ultra-clean SPS dominated tanks who actually had to dose nitrate to provide sufficient levels for their giant clams. Thats a tiny minority of people who have the luxury of that problem.

 

[zacharytrimble]

Good problem to have...maybe I should sell my nitrate laden aquarium water to these folks