Trying to raise Nitrates

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

Chasing magical numbers will only get you into trouble.

I think that sums it up well. I test NO3/PO4 maybe once a year. Test Ca 2 or 3 times. Check alk when my yellow monti turns grey. LEave it alone, watch the corals and change your water. Easy peasy.

[e46er]

I have pounds and pounds of KNO3 from my planted tank days I could give you some if you make the drive out to maple ridge

[Werbo]

Forget magical numbers. Especially with our hobby grade test kits.

The UNLS theory is that bacteria need some nitrogen to lower phosphate to zero. So nitrate is a limiting factor to lowering phosphate to zero in bacteria systems. This is why many biopellet users also employ GFO to get PO4 to ZERO. Simply put once nitrate levels reach 0 your PO4 will not come any lower if you are trying to reach UNLS by growing bacteria that is skimmed out.

Add amino acids (Zeovit or something similar) to feed corals and raise nitrates but it is also an added expense and time.

But as others have said judge by your corals response not magically numbers.