Nitrate production

[T-tank]

I’ve seen people are now dosing nitrate to bring the level up. Why not bring back the wet/dry bio balls. These were effective bio filtrations, then fell out of favor because they produced too much Nitrate (Nitrate factory).

Why not use it now in a control-ish way?
Cons:
-Sump space (reconfigure)
- Noise
- Splashes (salt spray).

Any other cons?

 

[joseserrano]

I think they were issues with them when they were disturbed. Releasing x when messed with. Don’t think anyone really wants to go through that trouble. Dosing something is probably a lot easier.

 

[T-tank]

I think they were issues with them when they were disturbed. Releasing x when messed with. Don’t think anyone really wants to go through that trouble. Dosing something is probably a lot easier.

Jose, I don’t remember hearing any “releasing x”when disturbing the bio balls.

 

[drexel]

If people would just feed their tanks, then this wouldn't be an issue. You can't control algae based on nutrient levels, that's the biggest myth going right now. It's like everyone forgot the fundamentals of reefing by watching too many stupid YT videos or following some random person on Instagram (or forum).

 

[joseserrano]

If people would just feed their tanks, then this wouldn't be an issue. You can't control algae based on nutrient levels, that's the biggest myth going right now. It's like everyone forgot the fundamentals of reefing by watching too many stupid YT videos or following some random person on Instagram (or forum).

Agree, and that being said, ppl are now running into the other direction and forgetting all tanks can be different based on what’s inside. Someone like wwc can feed their tanks 10x a day, because they fish load, corals, and water volumes tend to be very large.

 

[joseserrano]

Jose, I don’t remember hearing any “releasing x”when disturbing the bio balls.

X would be nitrate (built up decay)

 

[T-tank]

X would be nitrate (built up decay)

Ahh. I see. Thanks.

 

[Jimbo327]

What is a cheap and effective nitrate source to dose? I guess you will need to add phosphates as well then?

 

[drexel]

What is a cheap and effective nitrate source to dose? I guess you will need to add phosphates as well then?

All depends on PO4 levels, but sodium nitrate (either food or reagent grade is fine) works. Use James' planted tank calculator found here. Select potassium nitrate (virtually the same concentration as sodium nitrate) and go. I would raise NO3 .5 to 1ppm per day to start. If your PO4 is above .05ppm, then I wouldn't worry too much, but would track it while you're doing NO3. I would simply feed your fish more, smaller meals throughout the day if you can and don't forget you can feed your corals (sps too) a couple times a week as well.