I DOSED nitrate, and all can say is WOW!
- Thread starter Marklu
- Start date
Thanks for the info Benighted and Marklu. I think I will get a new test kit and try it again. I have a Salifert nitrate kit, but it’s probably a couple of years old. I have never had measurable nitrates so I don’t test for it. I am also going to pick up the Brightwell Nitrogen and test it as well. I’m just hoping to see the reaction in a separate container before I add any to my tank. I quite hopeful nitrate dosing will help me out. I’ll post my test results tomorrow.
MrPike
New member
Here's a link for some other potential nutrients
http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/index.asp?Option1=cats&Edit=2&EditU=1&Regit=2
Calcium Nitrate perhaps?
I dosed KN03 about 4 years ago when my macro algae would not grow, and my P04 was registering on my test kit. I never got the algae to grow, but did notice more pronounced growth in my clams, and a darkening of colors in my coral.
http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/index.asp?Option1=cats&Edit=2&EditU=1&Regit=2
Calcium Nitrate perhaps?
I dosed KN03 about 4 years ago when my macro algae would not grow, and my P04 was registering on my test kit. I never got the algae to grow, but did notice more pronounced growth in my clams, and a darkening of colors in my coral.
stony_corals
New member
For this reason, I'd doubt that your system was truly ULN. Your corals could be light due to photoinhibition (do you use T5s?). Your reasoning about iron is correct, but by the same reasoning, your corals are not likely nitrogen starved as your macro is growing. If your macro was experiencing iron limitation, it could be turning a yellowish color. (You should also note that adding food also adds other important nutrients like N, and Fe).
There was mention of corals being able to make their own amino acids, I'm sure this is possible, however, I'm sure their are some that they are not able to (just like other animals, including humans). There are several studies that illustrate that corals are able to uptake AAs, its a fact. I also do not dispute that there is a lot of competition for these AAs in aquaria though, and so that is why a dosing regimen on a bottle is just a recommendation.
troylee
In Memoriam
Man this is a great thread and I can't wait to see the outcome....I have had the same problem myself with softies just wilting away, chateo, and other macros not budging and my sps and lps just holding strong but not really any growth or colors of aww to be about......I have no clue what I'm missing and after testing with 2 different kits and taking samples to lfs I always get the same outcome 0.0.0 on everything they wanna know how I do it lol.....I can't tell you to be honest besides I feed lightly every other day and only have a few little fish in 500gal of water..... couldn't we just turn the skimmers down for a few days so it still provides areiation to the tank but don't really pull anything out???and maybe they would rise?
troylee- your symptoms of low growth and color, can be synonymous with having an understocked and or underfed system and simply not enough nutrients in the water
You have a nice big tank. I would suggest going shopping for some nice big fish and feed them enough that they will crap all over it all day long. Id be willing to bet your corals growth and color improves.
to be sure, by no means am I suggesting adding a bunch of fish and changing yoru husbandry habits overnight. that is a recipe ofr problems. but adding one large fish that needs a fed a bunch, and letting it ride to see if it did indeed help would be the first thing I would suggest trying to help with your colro and growth issues you arent comletely pleased with
You have a nice big tank. I would suggest going shopping for some nice big fish and feed them enough that they will crap all over it all day long. Id be willing to bet your corals growth and color improves.
to be sure, by no means am I suggesting adding a bunch of fish and changing yoru husbandry habits overnight. that is a recipe ofr problems. but adding one large fish that needs a fed a bunch, and letting it ride to see if it did indeed help would be the first thing I would suggest trying to help with your colro and growth issues you arent comletely pleased with
Things in my tank are doing great. I only dose Kn03 rarely now in order to keep tissue darker on my sps. If you truly are nitrogen limited due to underfeeding, understocking, etc. this may be a good route after trying to correct by increasing bioload and feeding more. I added a few more fish to my tank feed daily so I don't need to use it as often. I think its when nitrates get out of balances with phosphates that you can have problems with sps corals and after lowering phosphate with no results, raising nitrate may be the next step if your corals are still suffering.
luther1200
Premium Member
I read in a CORAL magazine a few years ago about people who dosed NO3. They all had awesome tanks. It was a great article and I wish I still had it or at least knew what issue it was in.
Los
New member
I am soooooo glad I read this thread. The Bubble King 300 Deluxe is a killer skimmer, but it's a bit too good unless you have a good fish load. My corals were fading and some were even recessing a bit. I double and triple checked EVERYTHING (salinity, calcium, magnesium, alk, copper, phosphate, nitrate (checking to see if it was too high), potassium, temperature, etc.). I never guessed that the problem could be *insufficient* nitrate, but that was it. I had a bottle of Amino Acids I had bought and never used sitting in the fridge so I gave it a try after reading this thread a week back. Unbelievable. Even my wife noticed the difference! Within a couple days I was getting noticeable growth. In a week my colors were significantly better and the growth in many colonies is approaching a centimeter in just a week. I had no idea that corals could grow so fast.
Even with 1-2 ml AAs (KZ brand) per day, I am still getting 0.00 readings on my Salifert Nitrate test. Is that enough or should I add more trying to feed a 650-700 gallon system? Also, rereading this it appears that potassium nitrate is the way to go. Either that or ammonium nitrate; I could have some fun with that stuff...
"It's to feed my corals, honest!"
BOOM!
Even with 1-2 ml AAs (KZ brand) per day, I am still getting 0.00 readings on my Salifert Nitrate test. Is that enough or should I add more trying to feed a 650-700 gallon system? Also, rereading this it appears that potassium nitrate is the way to go. Either that or ammonium nitrate; I could have some fun with that stuff...
"It's to feed my corals, honest!"
BOOM!
tastingSalty
New member
Thanks for posting your experience, Los. Anyone else have any updates?
Thats great Los. Sounds like your corals were hungry.
If you do try the Kno3, let us know if there is any noticeable difference between the AA's and the straight nitrate. I personally think AA's might just be glorified nitrogen souce so it should be interesting to see if there is any sort of noticeable difference.
If you do try the Kno3, let us know if there is any noticeable difference between the AA's and the straight nitrate. I personally think AA's might just be glorified nitrogen souce so it should be interesting to see if there is any sort of noticeable difference.
mordibv
Active member
Just a thought for the duncan and torch issue . Why not just get some pe mysis and feed the duncan and torch ? The end product is nitrate and it's high in protein .
BTW k is only sited for the assisting of pale birdsnests , monti caps with claims to help the blue color in certain corals .
A good salt can remedy this .
I do agree that heavily planted freshwater tanks benefit with kno3 with good water changes to reduce the micro factor .
I am glad nothing has declined with kno3 use in ur reef tank . I personally wouldn't do it but good luck .I would use AA's over the kno3 any day of the week .
It should, as long as you have bacteria to convert organics and ammonia. If your skimmer and activated carbon remove all your organics before the bacteria have a chance to convert it, you might not get that much...
Algae may also use the ammonia before the bacteria can convert it to nitrate, and algae may use the nitrate before you have a chance to measure it with your test kit.
