Quote:
Originally Posted by bignose
How do you bring up your nitrates? I thought they were supposed to be low as possible.
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If you want some fantastic reading take a look at:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/index.php
This is a link to reef centrals index for all of the articles written for there Reef keeping online Magazine. Some very informative stuff including this:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php
A little bit of reading on Nitrate
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Nitrates naturally occur in your tank from the break down of organic compounds, now keep in mind if your have a SPS dominated tank then yes low nitrates are a great thing but for certain soft corals and clams some DOC/ nitrates are healthy. Take a look at Macro algae for example, macro algae feeds of nitrates/ phosphates in your water column. Harnesses the suns power and traps the bad stuff for you to remove it. Corals (and clams) contain a symbiotic type of dinoflagelleta which is used for there ability to photosynthesis. A very similar process happens here (keep in mind though its all about moderation, to much can be harmful). Clams being filter feeders also secrete a mucous to capture small things floating in the water (everything from detritus to coral spawn). That being said, having a water column with dissolved nitrate and small particulate to be filter fed should help the little guy color up.
Hope that helps!
Levi