Crazyfingerz
New member
I was browsing around the web when i saw some guy mentioned that colony polyps grow better with nitrates present. is this a fact or total craziness
Zoanthids and nitrates
- Thread starter Crazyfingerz
- Start date
A. Grandis
Active member
Hummm...
Excess nitrates aren't good for any system.
Corals and clams could take advantage of some nitrate present, not excess.
That could be true for zoas, not the excess.
I try to keep my nitrates on undetectable levels, just like the phosphates, so I don't know how would that be.
I would suggest you to keep them low or undetectable, like most do.
This could be an interesting thread, if the right people find it.
Grandis.
Excess nitrates aren't good for any system.
Corals and clams could take advantage of some nitrate present, not excess.
That could be true for zoas, not the excess.
I try to keep my nitrates on undetectable levels, just like the phosphates, so I don't know how would that be.
I would suggest you to keep them low or undetectable, like most do.
This could be an interesting thread, if the right people find it.
Grandis.
MikeandNicole
New member
The quote you will always see is that zoas like "dirty" water. Unfortunately most people think dirty water means higher nitrates and phosphates. I think the it should be changed to clean dirty water. What does that mean? Very low nitrates and phosphates but have other things in your water. In other words I add reef pearls, oyster feast, phyto, aminos and feeds Rods food on a daily basis. This puts a lot of "stuff" into the water column but my goal is to always have the lowest nitrates and other things that i can have. I have skimmers rated for more than the water volume and I do weekly %10 water changes. I think that helps.
Neoferdina
New member
Most softies actually do better with some nitrates and I often MOST of my zoas will grow faster when nitrates are on the high side. That being said, I have some colonies that behave just like SPS and need pristine water. Not all zoas are the same!
SIR PATRICK
New member
I have seen high nitrates make me polyp colors very dull....almost ugly.
As Neo said, some polyps grow in dirty water while others thrive in pristine conditions, not all are created equal.
I will say though-
The polyps that can handle polluted water sure will look nicer in some cleaner water.
A common misconception is that high nutrients equal dirty water.....sooo untrue. I have seen polyps handle some dirty water, but just high nutrients, in most cases is best, as has been pointed out by a few in this thread already.
As Neo said, some polyps grow in dirty water while others thrive in pristine conditions, not all are created equal.
I will say though-
The polyps that can handle polluted water sure will look nicer in some cleaner water.
A common misconception is that high nutrients equal dirty water.....sooo untrue. I have seen polyps handle some dirty water, but just high nutrients, in most cases is best, as has been pointed out by a few in this thread already.
Cptn Spaulding
New member
+1 on the high nutrient as opposed to dirty water conversation. I like to turkey baste my rocks once a week or so for all of my corals, especially my softies and zoas. They seem to react to it well (i.e. slightly better polyp extension, typical feeding behavior). So, you can have a clean low nutrient tank but turkey baste your rock and get that built up detritus and what not off! Many corals appreciate it, not to mention it gives your rock a cleaner look and frees up detritus buildup.
