I'm trying to balance nitrate/phosphate levels and think I need to dose some nitrates. I feed heavy but even with 4 fish in a 25g tank, phosphate levels seems to bounce around (using small amount of GFO to manage) but I cannot really get my nitrates up and have been dealing with some brown slime algae. I've found a few threads about dosing this but not sure I want to buy and make my own sodium nitrate. Anyone using a similar product?
Anyone Dosing Sodium Nitrate?
- Thread starter JavaJacketOC
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I dose both nitrate and phosphates when needed. I use green leaf aquariums. I try to keep phosphates. 06 and nitrates. 15
For a 25gal tank, I think buying a brand name pre-mixed bottle will probably last you years and way less work.
If you have a much larger tank, and plan to mix all of your solutions, then it'll really save you a lot of money. I mix almost all of my own solutions.
Yes, I use sodium nitrate. I purchased it from Amazon for the Duda Energy brand. It was $20 for 5 lbs or $10 for 1 lbs. You will need to invest in a good scale that can read 0.01g or less. And just have to understand the molecular weight of each element in the chemical, and weigh what is needed to get a solution for dosing. Randy at R2R already has a lot of articles that tell you how to do it for most of the stuff we need in reefing.
If you have a much larger tank, and plan to mix all of your solutions, then it'll really save you a lot of money. I mix almost all of my own solutions.
Yes, I use sodium nitrate. I purchased it from Amazon for the Duda Energy brand. It was $20 for 5 lbs or $10 for 1 lbs. You will need to invest in a good scale that can read 0.01g or less. And just have to understand the molecular weight of each element in the chemical, and weigh what is needed to get a solution for dosing. Randy at R2R already has a lot of articles that tell you how to do it for most of the stuff we need in reefing.
You can feed more frozen
I should but also just trying to manage it a little more directly
shootingstar_reef
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I buy the sodium nitrate from amazon and made my own. I just ignore phosphate now and make sure I have detectable nitrates. It's very easy and works just fine, and you get about the same amount as if you bought it. But you have to mix it to your specifications.
I initially had low N&P when first started the tank, dosing NeoNitro & NeoPhos was not effective at raising nutrients to a meaningful level. I went ahead and dose this stuff, Ammonium Cloride. The tank went from under 1 to 10+ NO3 in a week.
Loudwolf Ammonium Chloride/Dry Powder / 4 Ounces / 99.9% Pure ACS Grade, https://a.co/d/9r7PRJ1
Loudwolf Ammonium Chloride/Dry Powder / 4 Ounces / 99.9% Pure ACS Grade, https://a.co/d/9r7PRJ1
https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/reef-tank-fertilizer-package-jars.html
Best stuff super cheap.
Best stuff super cheap.
If you dose ammonium chloride, wouldn't you get nitrite as well? I'm just not certain how quickly nitrite is converted into nitrate. Because for most aquarist nitrate test kits, they get nitrite interference. You'll get a false high nitrate number if nitrite is present.
turbonut
2
No. Not to mention ammonium is preferred by the coral. I myself dose ammonium and is the better choice for nitrate limited aquariums
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Ammonium chloride will be utilized almost instantly by corals, clams, macro algae, etc...The key is dosing a small amount throughout the day. You can dilute it so you don't have to worry about overdosing when using a dosing pump, but I dose every time I feed the tank, which is 6-8 times a day. You'll have to monitor alk while you're dosing it, as it will add to its consumption. Remember, nitrate is the end process and doesn't actually relate to nitrogen, it just means that you have a surplus. Corals struggle to utilize N & P directly from the water, so they get it through other means much easier and quicker.
I also think that if most people would just feed their fish more, you would get the same results. I dose ammonium chloride because most of my tanks have been nitrogen limited, mainly because I don't keep a good density of fish, which I'm trying to slowly change.
I also think that if most people would just feed their fish more, you would get the same results. I dose ammonium chloride because most of my tanks have been nitrogen limited, mainly because I don't keep a good density of fish, which I'm trying to slowly change.
turbonut
2
Ammonium bicarbonate does the same however it doesn’t effect your alk
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That's true.
Interesting that you’re still dosing. What are your levels now?
I’ve stopped after NO3 hitting 10 and PO4 at 0.1. Before NO3 was almost undetectable or under 1. Granted I’ve added more fish and fed more pellets, frozen, and nori
So what I’m really hearing here is that I need to get more fish. LOL. Good good.
How much ammonia to dose? Most reefers reference has always been nitrate 1-10 ppm. Is it trial and error? How much are you dosing and what are you dosing?
How much ammonia to dose? Most reefers reference has always been nitrate 1-10 ppm. Is it trial and error? How much are you dosing and what are you dosing?
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I haven't tested, just trying to mimic the addition of fish, so I'm observing my corals for growth and color. I'll probably test alk today, but I've never been one to worry about NO3, especially with my feeding habits. PO4 is always elevated, which to me isn't a problem. I have certain acropora that are good indicators for growth (and color) so I just use visual cues. I will say that once I started dosing ammonium chloride, growth and color have improved. It takes corals a lot of energy to uptake NO3, so it's a poor way or inefficient way to add a nitrogen source.
