nitrates or phos algae

[lwolfe44]

i know that phosphates causes algae and a lot of times it is undetectable because the algae uses it first but do high levels of nitrates cause algae outbreaks and if i have algae and a reading of 15 ppm is it possible that the levels are actually higher and that the algae is eating that too:sad2:

[bertoni]

Algae will consume nitrate and lower the level in the tank. That's why harvesting a macroalga out of a refugium can help with nutrient reduction. Many animals won't care about 15 ppm of nitrate, so you likely could just ignore it.