Sodium nitrate

[oshanickreef]

Noticed lately that my nitrate levels are almost untraceable with my Salinger's kit. Nitrates reading around .5-1. Phosphates are anywhere from .06-.09, which I consider normal. In an effort to raise my nitrate I made a sodium nitrate solution with 30g sodium nitrate to 500ml RO water. After doing some math I calculated that for my 110 gallon system, 9 ml of my sodium nitrate solution will raise my nitrate 1ppm.

Anyone else dose this stuff? Would love any info!

Thanks

Nick


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[homer1475]

Yup...


I used spectracide stump remover(sodium nitrate).



I also used this calc to figure out how much stump remover to add to X amount of RO/DI so 1ml gives me 1ppm nitrate.



http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/calculator.htm


EDIT:
I would also suggest the red sea nitrate pro if your going to start dosing. It can measure down as far as .25, and as high as 16ppm. Anyone dosing nitrates is using this kit for its accuracy and wide range in which it can measure.

 

[oshanickreef]

Yup...


I used spectracide stump remover(sodium nitrate).



I also used this calc to figure out how much stump remover to add to X amount of RO/DI so 1ml gives me 1ppm nitrate.



http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/calculator.htm


EDIT:
I would also suggest the red sea nitrate pro if your going to start dosing. It can measure down as far as .25, and as high as 16ppm. Anyone dosing nitrates is using this kit for its accuracy and wide range in which it can measure.

Thanks! I just got home and first off my corals seem to be responding very well! The zoas, sun corals, blastos, acans, even some acros are all showing feeding response and I haven't fed the tank yet! I tested and my nitrates are at 2. So I increased it by 1ppm like I wanted.

What is a good nitrate level? I don't want to overdose but it looks like it is really doing the trick! Now when I feed I bet they look even better!


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[homer1475]

I found at 2 ppm my plating montis started loosing flesh. I have found my tank responds best with anything under 1ppm. I don't keep a specific number, just if I get a hint of pink on the red sea kit. Of course every tank responds differently, but the general consensus is anything around 1 to 2 ppm is acceptable.



I have tweaked my recipe so adding 2ppm of solution nets me around .50 of which I add once a week when I test.



Purely out of curiosity, whats your bioload like, and feeding regime? You might just benefit from feeding more. In my case I was uncomfortable feeding what equals 2 cubes to 5 fish daily to have a hint of pink on a test, so I dose nitrates instead.

 

[oshanickreef]

I found at 2 ppm my plating montis started loosing flesh. I have found my tank responds best with anything under 1ppm. I don't keep a specific number, just if I get a hint of pink on the red sea kit. Of course every tank responds differently, but the general consensus is anything around 1 to 2 ppm is acceptable.



I have tweaked my recipe so adding 2ppm of solution nets me around .50 of which I add once a week when I test.



Purely out of curiosity, whats your bioload like, and feeding regime? You might just benefit from feeding more. In my case I was uncomfortable feeding what equals 2 cubes to 5 fish daily to have a hint of pink on a test, so I dose nitrates instead.

I feed so much food and coral food it is ridiculous. I mix: selcon, phyto, fuel or acropower, cyclopods, mysis, spirulina brine shrimp, and rods. I try to do a mix of this daily but sometimes I miss a day. In addition to this I have an auto feeder that feeds pellets and I often put pinches of colbalt green reef flakes. This mix normally will get my corals to respond and puff up. But the 9ml of nitrate I dosed this morning seems to have done the job! I'm going to eventually dose this stuff with a dosing pump once I figure out how much my tank needs daily.


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