Nitrate Levels....

[inline6]

Is 10ppm of Nitrate really that bad for a reef tank?

 

[jackson6745]

No but they should be less. As long as you don't have a corresponding Phosphate level, you will be fine.

 

[jhale]

no, as long as the Po4 is low.

I think a high Po4 level, anything over .05 is worse for acro's (<.03 is best), in a lps / softy tank it makes less of a difference.

 

[inline6]

Cool, thanks - no phosphate levels detectable.

 

[meschaefer]

Cool, thanks - no phosphate levels detectable.

:shhh:

 

[jackson6745]

:shhh:

:biggrin:

 

[reefman]

 

[meschaefer]

Sorry, all snickering aside the only reason your phosphates are undetectable is because you are not testing for them properly.

 

[basiab]

Please explain. I tested mine and it was off the charts. Then I started working on lowering it till according to the test I was using it was not detectable.

 

[Wes]

Please explain. I tested mine and it was off the charts. Then I started working on lowering it till according to the test I was using it was not detectable.

you should keep PO4 under 0.05, the problem is test kits cannot accurately detect PO4 at low levels. A colorimeter is one of only ways hobbysists can accurately measure PO4.

I used to use Salifert's PO4 test, i never had a detectable reading. It wasn't until i got a Hanna colorimeter that i knew my levels too high.

 

[meschaefer]

which test where you using?

 

[steveo32]

So if you used a red sea test kit and the phospate didn't even color up to the low level that means they are there but the test can't pick it up, and you have no idea how high they actualy are ?

 

[meschaefer]

you got it

 

[inline6]

I read that all phosphate test kits made for the marine aquarium trade can not detect the low levels that are so critical to our tanks. If thats the case, how come they keep selling them?

 

[nanoreefer22]

I read that all phosphate test kits made for the marine aquarium trade can not detect the low levels that are so critical to our tanks. If thats the case, how come they keep selling them?

A lot of people just don't read or aren't aware that these kits on the market for phosphate just won't do what we need them to do...thats what i'd guess.

 

[Bob 1000]

Natureef Denitrifier... I don't have a lot of problems....Works for me..

 

[inline6]

Well, after diligently doing 5g water changes every 2 days and aggressively protein skimming my nitrate levels are finally in a non detectable state.
Now I need to buy more salt.

:arg::sigh: