Reef phosphate level

Jgill70

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I tested my phosphate on a Hanna ulr phosphate test and it’s .22, my nitrate is 6.4. Is my phosphate to high and nitrate to low?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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What level should I have for nitrates. Im trying to have great color in my corals

I recommend 2-10 ppm nitrate, with higher better than lower if outside that range.
 

rishma

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I prefer to keep phosphate around 0.06-0.12 ppm. In my tank I would try to bring down phosphate from 0.22 because I get hair algae issues when it’s that high.
Nitrate I shoot for >5 but in my tank it naturally tends to be lower so I don’t worry about an upper limit. I use 5 ppm because it gives me a cushion from hitting zero. I see no issues when it hits 1-2 ppm but I tend to raise because I don’t want it at zero.

All that said, I don’t think there are absolutes with these nutrients. There are many amazing rankings that run higher levels. If your tank is happy, I recommend you take note, monitor, and take action when you see the values coincident with issues in the tank.
 

Pod_01

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What level should I have for nitrates. Im trying to have great color in my corals
Colour is such a subjective thing,

For example here are my NO3 and PO4 values:
1729389091426.jpeg


And here are some corals:
1729389126167.jpeg

1729389152002.jpeg

1729389217162.jpeg

1729389236724.jpeg


Maybe that helps,

As an aside, I don’t try to reduce my PO4 these days, it never ended well for me.


Good luck,
 
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