#nitrate

Nitrate is the most-misunderstood reef parameter. Zero nitrate is not the goal — corals need nitrogen, and tanks running absolute-zero nutrients often go pale, slow, or crash into dinoflagellates. Most thriving reef tanks land somewhere between 2 and 15 ppm nitrate, paired with phosphate around 0.03 to 0.08 ppm. Reef Trak charts nitrate against phosphate and coral growth so you can see the relationship instead of guessing at it.

Articles tagged nitrate

Reef Chemistry · March 30, 2026

How to Lower Nitrate in a Reef Tank: Carbon Dosing, GFO, Water Changes, and More

High nitrate in a reef tank means algae, muted coral colors, and dirty-looking water. Here are the proven ways to lower it without crashing your nutrients to zero.

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Reef Chemistry · March 25, 2026

Reef Tank Nitrate and Phosphate: Target Range, Testing, and Why "Zero" Is Bad

Both nitrate and phosphate are required for healthy coral growth in trace amounts. Zero is not the goal. Here is the full guide to managing nutrients in a reef tank.

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