nitrate levels for coral health

[hookit]

My LFS told me under 10 ppm is safe, but my Acros browned out at 8. Maybe it's the combo with phosphates? Mine's at 0.03 ppm.

Bingo. It's the ratio. If phosphates are too low, nitrates hit harder. I keep PO4 at 0.05-0.08 ppm for balance.

[coralyn]

Also, check your flow. Acros need random turbulence to shed mucus. Low flow + high nitrates = unhappy campers. I run two MP40s on reef crest mode.

[Boldy]

Tagword, you running any bio pellets or vodka dosing? Those can crash nitrates too fast. Lost a colony once from 15 ppm to 0 in a week. Not pretty.

[tagword]

No bio pellets, just live rock and the skimmer. Appreciate all the tips, folks. Gonna test alk, tweak the flow, and maybe switch salt mixes if this persists.