My Nitrates are at 15?

[BenV]

My nitrate levels are at 15 and I've already bought a patch of green star polyps which seem to be doing fine, coming out during the day and going back in at night. Since this is my first tank I am kinda lost when it comes to how low your nitrates can be or should be for soft corals, inverts, and other items in your fishtank to do well. With my nitrates being at 15 will my fish and corals and invert be fine? Let me know! Thanks!
BenV

[Ninong]

Yes, everything will be fine. Ideally you would want your nitrate levels below 10 ppm for SPS but 15 ppm is definitely not a problem. Some very successful reef tanks have been running for years with nitrate levels of ~15 ppm.

[BenV]

Hi Ninong
Actually that is very reassuring to hear because today right after I posted I checked my nitrates and they have gone down to 10 ppm. And here I was all worried not to put anything into the tank but fish. Anyways thanks! By the way, what do SPS and all of the other Abbreviations stand for? Sorry I'm kind of new. Thank you though!
BenV

Yes, everything will be fine. Ideally you would want your nitrate levels below 10 ppm for SPS but 15 ppm is definitely not a problem. Some very successful reef tanks have been running for years with nitrate levels of ~15 ppm.

[zhenya]

Hi Ninong
Actually that is very reassuring to hear because today right after I posted I checked my nitrates and they have gone down to 10 ppm. And here I was all worried not to put anything into the tank but fish. Anyways thanks! By the way, what do SPS and all of the other Abbreviations stand for? Sorry I'm kind of new. Thank you though!
BenV

Hi Ben,

"sps", "lps" and such are all hobbyist created terms and are read as follows...

sps- small polyped stonies( Acroporas, Montiporas,Pocilloporas and such)
lps- large polyped stonies/scleractinians(Euphyllia, Lobophyllia,Catalaphyllia and so on).
What other obreviations are you having difficulties with?

BTW, I agree with Ninong that 15ppm NO3 is not really a big concern and could be easily controlled or lowered with water changes.

[Ninong]

Here is a list of many common abbreviations: Abbreviations for new guys.