Anyone tried dosing nitrates

[laserjim]

Anyone tried dosing nitrates ? I've been reading a couple threads on it. Here is a basic statement of why ? I copy and pasted this below.

People always notice a depletion in nitrate levels, faster than PO4. That's because our tank's when carbon dosing ,bacteria "eat" nitrates and phosphates at the same time, but they consume more nitrate than PO4.
When the nitrates are gone, the bacteria cant eat anymore PO4.

Quite a few people dosing sodium nitrate with success.

Thoughts ?

 

[risin]

I believe the idea is tied to the fact that amino acids (commonly used for coral growth and expensive) break down into nitrates. Ulns systems typically show the greatest benefit and there is speculation that it's really the nitrates and not specifically the amino acids. Sodium nitrate is very cheap and some people are getting similar results as they did with amino acids. I was just reading about this today but I don't recall where.

Personally, I'm trying to dial back my carbon dosing to the point where I have a measurable amount of nitrates.

 

[laserjim]

Personally, I'm trying to dial back my carbon dosing to the point where I have a measurable amount of nitrates.[/QUOTE]



I was thinking of doing the same thing.

 

[aguila88psi]

I add more fish poop, 21 fish in my 90g with connected 20g long frag tank

 

[laserjim]

I add more fish poop, 21 fish in my 90g with connected 20g long frag tank

Lol, Same as dosing ! I needed an excuse for more fish.

 

[aguila88psi]

Lol, glad I could help

 

[robthorn]

I am with Pedro. Feed more. Like the fish you currently have won't eat as much as you put in there.

I have gallons of sodium Nitrite around but no sodium nitrate.

 

[risin]

Haha, i plan on looking for a new fish at FAOIS tomorrow.

As far as feeding more I'm actually concerns about my sailfin tang over eating. I've accidentally dropped a whole frozen piece in the tank by accident a few times and he eats it in one bite.

I am interested about the theory of bacteria consuming nitrates and phosphates at the same time. If adding nitrates would help balance the consumption of phosphates that may be something worth dosing nitrates for.

 

[aguila88psi]

Its all about finding a balance. What works for may not work for others.

 

[Gangous]

I was running bio pellets had very low nitrate bumped it up using flourish to 15-20ppm nothing got better things got worse I'm sure all this tinkering works for some for me I decided to pull the pellets and go back to old tried and true

 

[sirrealism]

I have never carbon dosed before but understand the theory and was considering it on one of my tanks. I am going to guess you cant use GFO if your dosing carbon?

 

[robthorn]

Like Pedro said it's all about finding a balance. You can add carbon with GFO just don't use the already high for me recommended dose. If the carbon source says start with 20ml on your tank I might start with 1 or even half. So much easier to add more but more difficult to recover after an over dose.

 

[laserjim]

I agree with Rob, If using pellets I know from personal expierience, only put half what they tell you, maybe less. Overfeeding can help raise nitrates, but is not easy to measure. In my Op, The guys dosing nitrate actually got it so they new exactly what to dose t take care of the PO4 and Nitrates.

 

[Ted_C]

The guys dosing nitrate actually got it so they new exactly what to dose t take care of the PO4 and Nitrates.

Thats a good theory - but take it with a grain of salt. There's alot of math required there to figure out exactly what you need to dose and you have to be spot on 100% confident in your testing devices.

As always, whenever we consider dosing in any form - also consider the fact that if your putting NaNO3 into the tank - and the bacteria are using the NO3 portion - what's happening to the Na portion? It doesn't just go away. you may be messing with the natural ionic balance of the water and may have disasterous long term effects.

 

[laserjim]

Thats a good theory - but take it with a grain of salt. There's alot of math required there to figure out exactly what you need to dose and you have to be spot on 100% confident in your testing devices.

As always, whenever we consider dosing in any form - also consider the fact that if your putting NaNO3 into the tank - and the bacteria are using the NO3 portion - what's happening to the Na portion? It doesn't just go away. you may be messing with the natural ionic balance of the water and may have disasterous long term effects.

I hear ya, It was just an interesting few threads I read on this. Some were having success. You have to balance the Nitrate at .2 or so , no more than 5. and PO4 the same. Just another way to balance.

 

[ichthyman]

As always, whenever we consider dosing in any form - also consider the fact that if your putting NaNO3 into the tank - and the bacteria are using the NO3 portion - what's happening to the Na portion? It doesn't just go away. you may be messing with the natural ionic balance of the water and may have disasterous long term effects.

BINGO!

Much safer to either back off slightly on the C addition or add more N either via an organic source.

 

[aguila88psi]

Just don't use carbon so free Cl bind to the excess Na to make NaCl:jester: