Trying to raise Nitrates

[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.