Ammonia dosing for low NO3

[KStatefan]

I was adding a few drops of Dr Tim’s ammonia to my 46 g AIO tank the last couple days after reading some of these posts, but I’ve since decided this is a bad idea, at least for my tank. My nitrate levels did rise from 1-2 ppm to 5-10 ppm; however, my fish appeared to be pretty stressed for the first 30 mins to 1 hour after dosing. This was particularly true for a few young fish that I got in the last couple months from Biota. I saw this from rapid breathing and rubbing against rocks immediately after dosing. I then put a Seachem ammonia alert in my tank, which would go from yellow to green after adding ammonia. After an hour, it went back to yellow. Dosing nitrate seems much safer.

What was the amount of ammonia were you adding with your few drops? Seems like it was most likely greater then the 0.1 mg/L ammonia recommended.

 

[fandaga]

What was the amount of ammonia were you adding with your few drops? Seems like it was most likely greater then the 0.1 mg/L ammonia recommended.

I put 3 drops of Dr Tim’s in 46 gallons that caused the issue. I think the label says 4 drops per gallon when setting up the tank to get to 2 ppm concentration. Apparently 1 drop of water weighs 50 mg, and 46 gallons is 174 L. So 3 drops works out to 0.3 mg/L of Dr Tim’s. Also, I don’t know the concentration of Dr Tim’s…not sure if it’s 37% ammonium chloride. Also ammonia is apparently 31% of the mass of ammonium chloride.

Anyways, I started with one drop per day for a few weeks and didn’t see much increase in nitrate. Then I increased to two and finally three drops. I also was testing with Red Sea ammonia test, which was reading 0 ammonia visually. Albeit, there’s a lag in testing time of probably 20 to 30 minutes after I dosed.

The problem arose when I got the captive bred fish, which led me to put in the Seachem Ammonia Alert. That went from yellow to green right after dosing. Then it went back to yellow after about 30 minutes to an hour. The captive bred fish looked okay after an hour. But I stopped dosing Dr Tim’s since I saw that issue.

 

[steve 1965]

The other thing you might want to keep in mind is the pH impact on the equilibrium of ammonia versus non-toxic ammonium. In hindsight, I was probably adding it at the wrong time in the morning when I did my 1st feeding. At that time, my pH was the lowest in the day at 7.8. There’s a bit less impact

The other thing you might want to keep in mind is the pH impact on the equilibrium of ammonia versus non-toxic ammonium. In hindsight, I was probably adding it at the wrong time in the morning when I did my 1st feeding. At that time, my pH was the lowest in the day at 7.8. There’s a bit less impact to add it right before the lights go out when pH is max or even better to spread it throughout the day. Even still, I’m thinking of just using a sodium nitrate and sodium phosphate solution to add nutrients because of presumably much less severity with overdosing.

The other thing you might want to keep in mind is the pH impact on the equilibrium of ammonia versus non-toxic ammonium. In hindsight, I was probably adding it at the wrong time in the morning when I did my 1st feeding. At that time, my pH was the lowest in the day at 7.8. There’s a bit less impact to add it right before the lights go out when pH is max or even better to spread it throughout the day. Even still, I’m thinking of just using a sodium nitrate and sodium phosphate solution to add nutrients because of presumably much less severity with overdosing.

Yeah that is another issue ph is on the low side so don’t want to decrease it. Right now I’m still carbon dosing to bring down my phosphate. I discontinued the bio reactor that I believe bottomed out my Nitratess. Also added the recommended amount of Brightwell Neo Nitrate to help raise the NO3 levels up.
to add it right before the lights go out when pH is max or even better to spread it throughout the day. Even still, I’m thinking of just using a sodium nitrate and sodium phosphate solution to add nutrients because of presumably much less severity with overdosing.

I do not think this is a cause for concern if you follow my directions in the first post of my ammonia dosing recipes. :)

Ok and I can even start out dosing in smaller amounts at first and increase slowly ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok and I can even start out dosing in smaller amounts at first and increase slowly ?

The recipe and direction thread is here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/
The suggested dose to start is quite low, then ramp up;

Dosing

Don't be overly afraid of dosing ammonia due to toxicity, but one cannot dose substantial amounts all at once. IMO, it is safe to add 0.1 ppm ammonia (equivalent to 0.36 ppm nitrate) at once to any reef tank, and one can likely add more, if it mixes in well. Don't dose it right onto a fish, but dosing 2-3x that amount at once is also likely OK. Of course, using a dosing pump to spread out the dosing is fine and may be preferable, but be sure to guard against dosing pumps out of control (e.g., stuck on). Stock solutions can be increased or decreased in potency to match pumping needs. The ammonia could also be put into an ato since exact daily dosing is not required.

To add 0.1 mg/L ammonia to an aquarium, you would need to add 2.3 mL of either stock solution to a 100 L (26 gallon) aquarium. You may need to add this amount multiply times per day to dose enough.

I'd add it to a sump, if possible, to dilute it well before it gets to the main tank. Most folks dosing ammonia wouldn't also be using media intended to push the nitrogen cycle in various ways, but if you do, dose downstream of that media.

Of course, if anything seems to react badly the first time or two that you dose, stop dosing, double check the amounts, and perhaps come back to this thread for further discussion of what might be happening.

 

[steve 1965]

Yes I read that 2.3ml per 26g my tanks 160g so I would start out with 13.8ml ?

 

[steve 1965]

https://a.co/d/9N7TxltWas looking at this product. Is this ok?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes and that product is perfect. :)

 

[steve 1965]

Awesome

 

[steve 1965]

Hi Randy
So I tested my Nitrates and that have only come up to 3.5 ppm using Neo nitro. So I made the solution of ammonia bicarbonate and will start my dosing tomorrow morning when ph is at its lowest. My tanks 160g and calculated 13.8 ml. But out of precaution I’m starting at half dose. And slowly go up while observing my fish. This does make me nervous. So my next question is should I also be testing ammonia? How often should I test Nitrate? My goal is to get my Nitrate to 10 ppm so after achieving this number should I discontinue using the ammonia? How should I dose once I reach my desired nitrate? Does this affect the phosphate? Will adding this lower my ph? I do see it says bicarbonate is Alk neutral. Thanks of your guidance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I understand the worry, but unless you made a mistake making up the solutions, there’s no more ammonia risk than if you added another fish.

I would not measure ammonia because you are unlikely to detect any in a cycled tank.

You may find phosphate consumption rises. Some folks see that. So keep an eye on it.

 

[steve 1965]

Yes you call for 4 3/4 teaspoons to 1 liter. I only use 4 per one liter of solution. So I should be good. I will keep an eye on po4 hoping it doesn’t rise.
So what do I do once my desired NO3 is achieved. Should I discontinue or dose lighter ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes you call for 4 3/4 teaspoons to 1 liter. I only use 4 per one liter of solution. So I should be good. I will keep an eye on po4 hoping it doesn’t rise.
So what do I do once my desired NO3 is achieved. Should I discontinue or dose lighter ?

I don’t think rising phosphate is the concern. Folks sometimes see a drop.

It will be a long time to reach 10 ppm. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[steve 1965]

Ahh ok so it will be a very gradual rise in nitrate then. I’m going to combine it with my normal dose of Neo nitrate like you had suggested. And a fall in po4 is always welcome. . Thanks I’ll let you know how things are going in week

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ahh ok so it will be a very gradual rise in nitrate then. I’m going to combine it with my normal dose of Neo nitrate like you had suggested. And a fall in po4 is always welcome. . Thanks I’ll let you know how things are going in week

You may find nitrate falls, but also isn’t as needed.

 

[rishma]

First thing I saw was the corals respond positively with a small daily dose. Phosphate levels fell and coral polyp extension increased. Nitrate levels didn’t change.

I increased the dose and saw no additional changes in the corals, but nitrate levels climbed.

Sharing in support of Randy’s comment. The corals seem to benefit from the ammonia, but may not need additional nitrate .