How Do You Maintain Nitrates Without Triggering Algae Growth?

[CHSUB]

I “target” ocean levels for No3 and Po4, (ie barely readable or 0 with hobby test kits). More than not it’s higher and I do extra maintenance, however continuie feeding fat fish and corals. I figure mother nature knows better and following her advice has worked.

 

[rishma]

I “target” ocean levels for No3 and Po4, (ie barely readable or 0 with hobby test kits). More than not it’s higher and I do extra maintenance, however continuie feeding fat fish and corals. I figure mother nature knows better and following her advice has worked.

While I believe it’s possible to have success with this strategy and I am very glad it’s working for you, many experienced reefers (including me) have had poor results while trying to maintain near ocean levels of nitrate and phosphate.

Our glass boxes are a poor approximation of the ocean. A big difference is the lack of organic N and P sources like plankton. I do not think it’s a good strategy for most reef tanks. Please understand I am not doubting your success, but I do believe the majority of reefers who attempt this will not be successful long term.

 

[CHSUB]

While I believe it’s possible to have success with this strategy and I am very glad it’s working for you, many experienced reefers (including me) have had poor results while trying to maintain near ocean levels of nitrate and phosphate.

Our glass boxes are a poor approximation of the ocean. A big difference is the lack of organic N and P sources like plankton. I do not think it’s a good strategy for most reef tanks. Please understand I am not doubting your success, but I do believe the majority of reefers who attempt this will not be successful long term.

How do you know there is a lack of organic N and P in reef tanks vs the value in the ocean? Not the actual value, but the percentage value vs the size of glass box. Imo, it is impossible for a reef tank with fed fish to lack sources of N for corals. How many leave the hobby because of algae overrunning the tank and the solution is to add inorganic fertilizers to maintain some mythical NP ratio?

 

[rishma]

How do you know there is a lack of organic N and P in reef tanks vs the value in the ocean? Not the actual value, but the percentage value vs the size of glass box. Imo, it is impossible for a reef tank with fed fish to lack sources of N for corals. How many leave the hobby because of algae overrunning the tank and the solution is to add inorganic fertilizers to maintain some mythical NP ratio?

Yikes, sorry if I touched a nerve. Again, I’m glad your approach works for you.

First and foremost, I not believe there is any merit to the idea of an NP ratio as a goal. I think that whole idea is based on misunderstanding. Unfortunately, it’s a persistent myth that resurfaces all the time. I am not sure why you went there, but I just want to get that out of the way.

I don’t really know anything. But as I understand it the ocean reefs are awash with particulate foods for corals that supply the needed nitrogen and phosphorus. I think this generally is not true in most reef tanks.

There are many examples of tanks with fed fish that have insufficient sources of nitrogen and phosphorous. This can occur for a variety of reasons but is often believed to be a cause of problems such as dinoflagellates. If you have ever battled that scourge, you get real nervous of very low nutrients.

Not long ago the general trend was for people to target ocean level nutrients.The trend has shifted away from that due to many tanks having issues. There are no absolutes, but some approaches more likely to result in success for more people.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How do you know there is a lack of organic N and P in reef tanks vs the value in the ocean? Not the actual value, but the percentage value vs the size of glass box. Imo, it is impossible for a reef tank with fed fish to lack sources of N for corals. How many leave the hobby because of algae overrunning the tank and the solution is to add inorganic fertilizers to maintain some mythical NP ratio?

Lots of reasons, including measurements (see below). You are stating an extreme position and assume we should prove it wrong, when there obviously is a simple middle ground. Of course foods supply some N and P. But asserting that truism does not provide any evidence of whether it is too little, just enough, or too much.

The idea of wanting more particulate foods is why many people dose phytoplankton and other corals foods.

Here's some data:

Aquaria subjected to active filtration via skimming present water column bacteria populations that are approximately 1/10 of those observed on natural reefs.​

Bacterial Counts in Reef Aquarium Water: Baseline Values and Modulation by Carbon Dosing, Protein Skimming, and Granular Activated Carbon Filtration

What are the bacteria populations in the water column of reef tanks, and how does that value compare with bacterial counts in authentic reef water? Does carbon dosing indeed increase water column bacteria populations (i.e., is growth carbon limited)? Does mechanical filtration (protein skimming...

reefs.com

FWIW, I do not see a lot of people leaving the hobby because they added inorganic N and P and got algae, without first stopping it and seeing if that helped. Dosing N and/or P is a fairly advanced topic, not something the local LFS pushes newbies to do. Most people with algae issues are simply not dosing N and P.

 

[MDAquatics]

Im just here for the comments. Im loving this thread, so many good comments.

 

[Desmond]

I would consider a good clean up crew including snails , fish and shrimps. Also consider lighting strenght and also natural refugiums are a nice way to keep these paramters in line. Algae is not a bad thing is controlled correctly.