Ok wait a minute....

[zacharytrimble]

So corals eat nitrates to some extent?...someone please explain

[dc_909]

I have heard that about clams, but haven't done much research

[paradicio]

I'm just guessing here, but...

I'm assuming the zooxanthellae algae living within the corals would consume nitrates like any other algae? Someone let me know if I'm crazy. :D

[Hormigaquatica]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9476345#post9476345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paradicio
I'm just guessing here, but...

I'm assuming the zooxanthellae algae living within the corals would consume nitrates like any other algae? Someone let me know if I'm crazy. :D

Bingo. Its not to any great degree (so dont use it as an excuse to skip water changes- its still a Very small level), but they do use it. There are records of people with ultra-clean SPS dominated tanks who actually had to dose nitrate to provide sufficient levels for their giant clams. Thats a tiny minority of people who have the luxury of that problem.

[zacharytrimble]

Good problem to have...maybe I should sell my nitrate laden aquarium water to these folks :)