Ammonium Bicarbonate Dosing Experiment

[JeepinReefer21]

Good afternoon all! I'm going to be experimenting with Ammonium Bicarbonate for a month on my tank (maybe more if the data trends are right). Here's what I have set up so far.

---

Objective​

Determine the effects of dosing ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) on key parameters in a reef tank, including nutrient levels, pH stability, coral health, algae growth, and microbial balance.

---

Materials Needed​

1. Reef Tank Essentials: Fully established reef tank with live corals, fish, invertebrates, and live rock.
2. Testing Equipment:
   • Ammonia test kit
   • Nitrate test kit
   • pH meter
   • Alkalinity test kit (KH)
   • Phosphate test kit
   • Salinity refractometer
   • Temperature monitor
3. Ammonium Bicarbonate: Food-grade or lab-grade. (Following Randy's Recipe)
4. Logbook: To record data systematically. (I have an Excel sheet for the data)
5. Dosing Equipment: Syringe or dosing pump for precise addition of ammonium bicarbonate.
6. Control Setup: No dosing or placebo dosing (e.g., RO/DI water).

---

Experimental Design​

1. Hypothesis
   Example: "Dosing ammonium bicarbonate will increase ammonia and nitrate levels, influencing coral and microbial health."
2. Baseline Data Collection
   • Monitor and record baseline tank parameters daily for at least one week, including ammonia, nitrate, pH, alkalinity, phosphate, salinity, and temperature.
   • Document the health and behavior of tank inhabitants (e.g., coral polyp extension, fish activity).
3. Dosing Plan
   • Start with a very low dose to minimize the risk of overloading the tank with ammonia. For example, start with 0.1 mg/L of ammonium bicarbonate and adjust based on results.
   • Dissolve ammonium bicarbonate in RO/DI water for even distribution.
4. Experimental Groups
   • Control Group: No dosing or dosing with RO/DI water only. (I don't have another tank as a Control)
   • Experimental Group: Incremental dosing of ammonium bicarbonate.
5. Data Collection Timeline
   • Short-term (hourly): Measure ammonia and pH for 12–24 hours after dosing to observe immediate effects.
   • Daily (over 2–4 weeks): Monitor ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, phosphate, and other parameters.
   • Weekly: Photograph tank to assess visible changes in coral, algae, and water clarity.
6. Tank Observations
   • Record any behavioral changes in fish and invertebrates.
   • Note changes in coral appearance, including color, polyp extension, and tissue health.
   • Monitor algae growth (e.g., nuisance algae bloom).
7. Adjustments
   • If ammonia levels rise above 0.2–0.5 ppm, pause dosing to avoid harming inhabitants.
   • Introduce water changes as needed to stabilize the tank.
8. Analysis
   • Compare results between the control and experimental groups.
   • Evaluate trends in water chemistry and visual health indicators.

---

Safety Precautions​

• Tank Inhabitants: Never dose to the point where ammonia becomes toxic (>0.5 ppm).
• Dosing Precision: Use accurate measuring tools to avoid overdosing.
• Immediate Action: Have water change supplies ready to dilute ammonia levels if needed.

---

Outcome Evaluation​

By analyzing data and observations, you can determine how ammonium bicarbonate influences your reef tank's chemistry and ecology. Use the results to decide whether continued dosing is beneficial or harmful to your specific system.

I will be updating this thread regularly with photos and observations. I'm hoping this will be helpful for those on the fence about dosing or not.

Please help me out! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dan_P]

Good afternoon all! I'm going to be experimenting with Ammonium Bicarbonate for a month on my tank (maybe more if the data trends are right). Here's what I have set up so far.

---

Objective​

Determine the effects of dosing ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) on key parameters in a reef tank, including nutrient levels, pH stability, coral health, algae growth, and microbial balance.

---

Materials Needed​

1. Reef Tank Essentials: Fully established reef tank with live corals, fish, invertebrates, and live rock.
2. Testing Equipment:
   • Ammonia test kit
   • Nitrate test kit
   • pH meter
   • Alkalinity test kit (KH)
   • Phosphate test kit
   • Salinity refractometer
   • Temperature monitor
3. Ammonium Bicarbonate: Food-grade or lab-grade. (Following Randy's Recipe)
4. Logbook: To record data systematically. (I have an Excel sheet for the data)
5. Dosing Equipment: Syringe or dosing pump for precise addition of ammonium bicarbonate.
6. Control Setup: No dosing or placebo dosing (e.g., RO/DI water).

---

Experimental Design​

1. Hypothesis
   Example: "Dosing ammonium bicarbonate will increase ammonia and nitrate levels, influencing coral and microbial health."
2. Baseline Data Collection
   • Monitor and record baseline tank parameters daily for at least one week, including ammonia, nitrate, pH, alkalinity, phosphate, salinity, and temperature.
   • Document the health and behavior of tank inhabitants (e.g., coral polyp extension, fish activity).
3. Dosing Plan
   • Start with a very low dose to minimize the risk of overloading the tank with ammonia. For example, start with 0.1 mg/L of ammonium bicarbonate and adjust based on results.
   • Dissolve ammonium bicarbonate in RO/DI water for even distribution.
4. Experimental Groups
   • Control Group: No dosing or dosing with RO/DI water only. (I don't have another tank as a Control)
   • Experimental Group: Incremental dosing of ammonium bicarbonate.
5. Data Collection Timeline
   • Short-term (hourly): Measure ammonia and pH for 12–24 hours after dosing to observe immediate effects.
   • Daily (over 2–4 weeks): Monitor ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, phosphate, and other parameters.
   • Weekly: Photograph tank to assess visible changes in coral, algae, and water clarity.
6. Tank Observations
   • Record any behavioral changes in fish and invertebrates.
   • Note changes in coral appearance, including color, polyp extension, and tissue health.
   • Monitor algae growth (e.g., nuisance algae bloom).
7. Adjustments
   • If ammonia levels rise above 0.2–0.5 ppm, pause dosing to avoid harming inhabitants.
   • Introduce water changes as needed to stabilize the tank.
8. Analysis
   • Compare results between the control and experimental groups.
   • Evaluate trends in water chemistry and visual health indicators.

---

Safety Precautions​

• Tank Inhabitants: Never dose to the point where ammonia becomes toxic (>0.5 ppm).
• Dosing Precision: Use accurate measuring tools to avoid overdosing.
• Immediate Action: Have water change supplies ready to dilute ammonia levels if needed.

---

Outcome Evaluation​

By analyzing data and observations, you can determine how ammonium bicarbonate influences your reef tank's chemistry and ecology. Use the results to decide whether continued dosing is beneficial or harmful to your specific system.

I will be updating this thread regularly with photos and observations. I'm hoping this will be helpful for those on the fence about dosing or not.

Please help me out! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

This study seems like it has much thought behind it. In these types of studies proving a link between the treatment and response will be difficult, though it can produce some stepping off points for future controlled experiments.

@taricha is looking at trace element influence on coral color and is following a study plan that might be useful to take a peek at.

I want to point out that a one week baseline study might not be adequate to capture the natural variation in your system, especially important when you don’t have a control.

The photographic data would be very useful if we can use it to measure how much growth is happening curing the treatment phase (another reason to extend the baseline data: to collect the “before treatment” growth rate data).

Looking forwards to your observations.

Good luck!

 

[JeepinReefer21]

This study seems like it has much thought behind it. In these types of studies proving a link between the treatment and response will be difficult, though it can produce some stepping off points for future controlled experiments.

@taricha is looking at trace element influence on coral color and is following a study plan that might be useful to take a peek at.

I want to point out that a one week baseline study might not be adequate to capture the natural variation in your system, especially important when you don’t have a control.

The photographic data would be very useful if we can use it to measure how much growth is happening curing the treatment phase (another reason to extend the baseline data: to collect the “before treatment” growth rate data).

Looking forwards to your observations.

Good luck!

Thanks for that input! I have multiple weeks of base line data I can use, so I agree the week long probably isn't nessesary. I'll look into that other experiment, I'm by no means a scientist haha. I just find there is a lot of anicdotal evidence with not much data recorded, I figured I'd try and do my part. I'm trying to account for all of the independant variables now. Must seem stable enough to note a trend after dosing. So that's promising.

 

[Dan_P]

Thanks for that input! I have multiple weeks of base line data I can use, so I agree the week long probably isn't nessesary. I'll look into that other experiment, I'm by no means a scientist haha. I just find there is a lot of anicdotal evidence with not much data recorded, I figured I'd try and do my part. I'm trying to account for all of the independant variables now. Must seem stable enough to note a trend after dosing. So that's promising.

This should be fun!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Definitely pick food or other high grades (ACS, AR, USP, Pharma, BP, JP, etc.). Lab grade doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

[MnFish1]

Good afternoon all! I'm going to be experimenting with Ammonium Bicarbonate for a month on my tank (maybe more if the data trends are right). Here's what I have set up so far.

---

Objective​

Determine the effects of dosing ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) on key parameters in a reef tank, including nutrient levels, pH stability, coral health, algae growth, and microbial balance.

---

Materials Needed​

1. Reef Tank Essentials: Fully established reef tank with live corals, fish, invertebrates, and live rock.
2. Testing Equipment:
   • Ammonia test kit
   • Nitrate test kit
   • pH meter
   • Alkalinity test kit (KH)
   • Phosphate test kit
   • Salinity refractometer
   • Temperature monitor
3. Ammonium Bicarbonate: Food-grade or lab-grade. (Following Randy's Recipe)
4. Logbook: To record data systematically. (I have an Excel sheet for the data)
5. Dosing Equipment: Syringe or dosing pump for precise addition of ammonium bicarbonate.
6. Control Setup: No dosing or placebo dosing (e.g., RO/DI water).

---

Experimental Design​

1. Hypothesis
   Example: "Dosing ammonium bicarbonate will increase ammonia and nitrate levels, influencing coral and microbial health."
2. Baseline Data Collection
   • Monitor and record baseline tank parameters daily for at least one week, including ammonia, nitrate, pH, alkalinity, phosphate, salinity, and temperature.
   • Document the health and behavior of tank inhabitants (e.g., coral polyp extension, fish activity).
3. Dosing Plan
   • Start with a very low dose to minimize the risk of overloading the tank with ammonia. For example, start with 0.1 mg/L of ammonium bicarbonate and adjust based on results.
   • Dissolve ammonium bicarbonate in RO/DI water for even distribution.
4. Experimental Groups
   • Control Group: No dosing or dosing with RO/DI water only. (I don't have another tank as a Control)
   • Experimental Group: Incremental dosing of ammonium bicarbonate.
5. Data Collection Timeline
   • Short-term (hourly): Measure ammonia and pH for 12–24 hours after dosing to observe immediate effects.
   • Daily (over 2–4 weeks): Monitor ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, phosphate, and other parameters.
   • Weekly: Photograph tank to assess visible changes in coral, algae, and water clarity.
6. Tank Observations
   • Record any behavioral changes in fish and invertebrates.
   • Note changes in coral appearance, including color, polyp extension, and tissue health.
   • Monitor algae growth (e.g., nuisance algae bloom).
7. Adjustments
   • If ammonia levels rise above 0.2–0.5 ppm, pause dosing to avoid harming inhabitants.
   • Introduce water changes as needed to stabilize the tank.
8. Analysis
   • Compare results between the control and experimental groups.
   • Evaluate trends in water chemistry and visual health indicators.

---

Safety Precautions​

• Tank Inhabitants: Never dose to the point where ammonia becomes toxic (>0.5 ppm).
• Dosing Precision: Use accurate measuring tools to avoid overdosing.
• Immediate Action: Have water change supplies ready to dilute ammonia levels if needed.

---

Outcome Evaluation​

By analyzing data and observations, you can determine how ammonium bicarbonate influences your reef tank's chemistry and ecology. Use the results to decide whether continued dosing is beneficial or harmful to your specific system.

I will be updating this thread regularly with photos and observations. I'm hoping this will be helpful for those on the fence about dosing or not.

Please help me out! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Very nice - what might be interesting - is if you mixed up the solutions ahead of time - and dosed the solution (assuming you cant tell whether there is ammonia in the water visually) - blindly - i.e. without knowing until the end which solution you were dosing - for whatever period you're doing. But - very nice design. Good luck (also people will probably want to know which test kit) - and another suggestion - take pictures to document coral changes

 

[JeepinReefer21]

Definitely pick food or other high grades (ACS, AR, USP, Pharma, BP, JP, etc.). Lab grade doesn't necessarily mean anything.

I got the food grade ammonium bicarbonate recommended in your thread.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

Very nice - what might be interesting - is if you mixed up the solutions ahead of time - and dosed the solution (assuming you cant tell whether there is ammonia in the water visually) - blindly - i.e. without knowing until the end which solution you were dosing - for whatever period you're doing. But - very nice design. Good luck (also people will probably want to know which test kit) - and another suggestion - take pictures to document coral changes

I’m taking the pictures tonight to start, and weekly for 4 weeks or until I stop the experiment. I’m seeing the short term I laid out might have to be in the next experiment due to time constraints during the day.

 

[SliceGolfer]

You could poll the many people who have already been dosing ammonium bicarbonate since Randy’s first post to see what their results have been.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

You could poll the many people who have already been dosing ammonium bicarbonate since Randy’s first post to see what their results have been.

I think this will be a great thing to include. I might add it at the end so my observations aren't swayed.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

Good afternoon all! I'm going to be experimenting with Ammonium Bicarbonate for a month on my tank (maybe more if the data trends are right). Here's what I have set up so far.

---

Objective​

Determine the effects of dosing ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) on key parameters in a reef tank, including nutrient levels, pH stability, coral health, algae growth, and microbial balance.

---

Materials Needed​

1. Reef Tank Essentials: Fully established reef tank with live corals, fish, invertebrates, and live rock.
2. Testing Equipment:
   • Ammonia test kit
   • Nitrate test kit
   • pH meter
   • Alkalinity test kit (KH)
   • Phosphate test kit
   • Salinity refractometer
   • Temperature monitor
3. Ammonium Bicarbonate: Food-grade or lab-grade. (Following Randy's Recipe)
4. Logbook: To record data systematically. (I have an Excel sheet for the data)
5. Dosing Equipment: Syringe or dosing pump for precise addition of ammonium bicarbonate.
6. Control Setup: No dosing or placebo dosing (e.g., RO/DI water).

---

Experimental Design​

1. Hypothesis
   Example: "Dosing ammonium bicarbonate will increase ammonia and nitrate levels, influencing coral and microbial health."
2. Baseline Data Collection
   • Monitor and record baseline tank parameters daily for at least one week, including ammonia, nitrate, pH, alkalinity, phosphate, salinity, and temperature.
   • Document the health and behavior of tank inhabitants (e.g., coral polyp extension, fish activity).
3. Dosing Plan
   • Start with a very low dose to minimize the risk of overloading the tank with ammonia. For example, start with 0.1 mg/L of ammonium bicarbonate and adjust based on results.
   • Dissolve ammonium bicarbonate in RO/DI water for even distribution.
4. Experimental Groups
   • Control Group: No dosing or dosing with RO/DI water only. (I don't have another tank as a Control)
   • Experimental Group: Incremental dosing of ammonium bicarbonate.
5. Data Collection Timeline
   • Short-term (hourly): Measure ammonia and pH for 12–24 hours after dosing to observe immediate effects.
   • Daily (over 2–4 weeks): Monitor ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, phosphate, and other parameters.
   • Weekly: Photograph tank to assess visible changes in coral, algae, and water clarity.
6. Tank Observations
   • Record any behavioral changes in fish and invertebrates.
   • Note changes in coral appearance, including color, polyp extension, and tissue health.
   • Monitor algae growth (e.g., nuisance algae bloom).
7. Adjustments
   • If ammonia levels rise above 0.2–0.5 ppm, pause dosing to avoid harming inhabitants.
   • Introduce water changes as needed to stabilize the tank.
8. Analysis
   • Compare results between the control and experimental groups.
   • Evaluate trends in water chemistry and visual health indicators.

---

Safety Precautions​

• Tank Inhabitants: Never dose to the point where ammonia becomes toxic (>0.5 ppm).
• Dosing Precision: Use accurate measuring tools to avoid overdosing.
• Immediate Action: Have water change supplies ready to dilute ammonia levels if needed.

---

Outcome Evaluation​

By analyzing data and observations, you can determine how ammonium bicarbonate influences your reef tank's chemistry and ecology. Use the results to decide whether continued dosing is beneficial or harmful to your specific system.

I will be updating this thread regularly with photos and observations. I'm hoping this will be helpful for those on the fence about dosing or not.

Please help me out! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the photos of the tank from 1/23/25 at the start of the experiment.

I will be updating later this evening on my plans for confounding variables and their controls.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

Here are the photos of the tank from 1/23/25 at the start of the experiment.

I will be updating later this evening on my plans for confounding variables and their controls.

About the Tank:

Aquarium: Red Sea Reefer G1

Water Volume: 41 Gallons

Size: 24.5x20x20

Skimmer: Bubble Magnus Curve 5 with CO2 Scrubber

Mechanical Filtration: Red Sea NanoMat

Chemical Filtration: Ozone 2 Hours per night 50mg/h, Carbon Reactor once per week

Biological Filtration: Carbon Dosing Bacto-Balance 1ml per day

Dosing: All For Reef (half strength mix at 16ml per day
Kalkwasser (1.1ml/m for 13 hours)
Reef Moonshiners: Iodide, Manganese, Chromium, Cobalt, Iron, Selenium, Liquid Mud
Feeding: 1 cube of frozen Mysis Shrimp, Brine Shrimp or Plankton per-day

I will be tracking dosing changes of my Alkalinity, Phosphates and Carbon dosing to show changes that indicate increased growth or consumption.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

After close to a month of dosing I have the following conclusions:

From the data and graphs provided, several conclusions can be drawn about the effects of Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing on the reef system:

1. Effect on Nitrate Levels​

• The graph shows a clear relationship between Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing and Nitrate levels.
• As dosing increases, nitrate levels tend to rise, suggesting that ammonium bicarbonate serves as a source of nitrogen that contributes to nitrate formation.
• If nitrate levels increase too much, it could indicate that biological filtration (denitrification) is not keeping up with the dosing rate.

2. Impact on Alkalinity Consumption​

• A rise in Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing coincides with increased Alkalinity consumption.
• This could be due to higher bacterial activity consuming alkalinity, or increased coral uptake due to improved nutrient availability.
• If alkalinity consumption increases, dosing adjustments may be required to maintain stable alkalinity levels.

3. Influence on Phosphate Levels​

• The correlation graph suggests that phosphate dosing or phosphate levels do not increase significantly alongside ammonium bicarbonate dosing.
• This could indicate that phosphate levels are being controlled by absorption into biomass (corals, algae, bacteria) or are being removed effectively.
• However, if phosphate levels drop too low, corals might experience stress, requiring phosphate supplementation.

4. Bacterial Growth and Reef Balance​

• Bacto Balance (bacterial supplement) dosing appears to increase alongside Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing, likely in response to the rise in available nutrients.
• This suggests an effort to control bacterial populations to prevent excessive nitrate buildup or unwanted bacterial blooms.
• The stability of coral health notes suggests that any negative bacterial growth (e.g., cyanobacteria) may have been controlled.

5. AFR (All For Reef) and Overall Dosing Impact​

• The increase in AFR dosing aligns with ammonium bicarbonate dosing, suggesting that higher nutrient levels may lead to increased coral growth and therefore, greater consumption of alkalinity and trace elements.
• This could indicate positive coral response to controlled dosing but may require adjustments over time to maintain balance.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations​

• Controlled dosing of Ammonium Bicarbonate is effective in increasing nitrate levels, but it should be monitored to avoid excessive buildup.
• Alkalinity consumption rises with increased nutrient availability, indicating higher coral or bacterial demand.
• Phosphate depletes, suggesting uptake or effective removal process.
• Reef supplementation (Bacto Balance, AFR) increases alongside nutrient dosing, highlighting the need for fine-tuned dosing adjustments to maintain stability.

Next Steps​

• Fine-tune ammonium bicarbonate dosing to maintain nitrate at optimal levels (e.g., 5-10 ppm for coral growth).
• Monitor phosphate levels closely and adjust if they drop too low to avoid coral stress.
• Adjust alkalinity supplementation as needed to maintain stable dKH levels.
• Continue monitoring bacterial and coral health to prevent imbalances such as bacterial blooms or excess nutrient buildup.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't understand some comments, such as:

• Bacto Balance (bacterial supplement) dosing appears to increase alongside Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing, likely in response to the rise in available nutrients.

Are you dosing bactobalance too? Are you changing the dose? If so, presumably you know why?

what sort of bacterial activity are you suggesting might consume alkalinity?

 

[Dan_P]

After close to a month of dosing I have the following conclusions:

From the data and graphs provided, several conclusions can be drawn about the effects of Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing on the reef system:

1. Effect on Nitrate Levels​

• The graph shows a clear relationship between Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing and Nitrate levels.
• As dosing increases, nitrate levels tend to rise, suggesting that ammonium bicarbonate serves as a source of nitrogen that contributes to nitrate formation.
• If nitrate levels increase too much, it could indicate that biological filtration (denitrification) is not keeping up with the dosing rate.

2. Impact on Alkalinity Consumption​

• A rise in Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing coincides with increased Alkalinity consumption.
• This could be due to higher bacterial activity consuming alkalinity, or increased coral uptake due to improved nutrient availability.
• If alkalinity consumption increases, dosing adjustments may be required to maintain stable alkalinity levels.

3. Influence on Phosphate Levels​

• The correlation graph suggests that phosphate dosing or phosphate levels do not increase significantly alongside ammonium bicarbonate dosing.
• This could indicate that phosphate levels are being controlled by absorption into biomass (corals, algae, bacteria) or are being removed effectively.
• However, if phosphate levels drop too low, corals might experience stress, requiring phosphate supplementation.

4. Bacterial Growth and Reef Balance​

• Bacto Balance (bacterial supplement) dosing appears to increase alongside Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing, likely in response to the rise in available nutrients.
• This suggests an effort to control bacterial populations to prevent excessive nitrate buildup or unwanted bacterial blooms.
• The stability of coral health notes suggests that any negative bacterial growth (e.g., cyanobacteria) may have been controlled.

5. AFR (All For Reef) and Overall Dosing Impact​

• The increase in AFR dosing aligns with ammonium bicarbonate dosing, suggesting that higher nutrient levels may lead to increased coral growth and therefore, greater consumption of alkalinity and trace elements.
• This could indicate positive coral response to controlled dosing but may require adjustments over time to maintain balance.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations​

• Controlled dosing of Ammonium Bicarbonate is effective in increasing nitrate levels, but it should be monitored to avoid excessive buildup.
• Alkalinity consumption rises with increased nutrient availability, indicating higher coral or bacterial demand.
• Phosphate depletes, suggesting uptake or effective removal process.
• Reef supplementation (Bacto Balance, AFR) increases alongside nutrient dosing, highlighting the need for fine-tuned dosing adjustments to maintain stability.

Next Steps​

• Fine-tune ammonium bicarbonate dosing to maintain nitrate at optimal levels (e.g., 5-10 ppm for coral growth).
• Monitor phosphate levels closely and adjust if they drop too low to avoid coral stress.
• Adjust alkalinity supplementation as needed to maintain stable dKH levels.
• Continue monitoring bacterial and coral health to prevent imbalances such as bacterial blooms or excess nutrient buildup.

Very nice write up and analysis!

Doing the math in my head it looks like all the ammonia is converted to nitrate. If this is correct, it answers a question I put to Randy about whether the coral consumes any ammonia or is it just consumed by bacteria and algae, in your case nitrifying bacteria.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

I don't understand some comments, such as:

• Bacto Balance (bacterial supplement) dosing appears to increase alongside Ammonium Bicarbonate dosing, likely in response to the rise in available nutrients.

Are you dosing bactobalance too? Are you changing the dose? If so, presumably you know why?

what sort of bacterial activity are you suggesting might consume alkalinity?

Hi Randy! I have been dosing BB in the morning for some time (it's been my main carbon dosing for about 1.5 years) . My goal was to always dose back to a setpoint of around 5ppm give or take. My dosing of BB needed to increase to keep the Nitrates where I was comfortable. It was a small amount, and ranged from .5ml up to 1ml by the end of the experiment.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi Randy! I have been dosing BB in the morning for some time (it's been my main carbon dosing for about 1.5 years) . My goal was to always dose back to a setpoint of around 5ppm give or take. My dosing of BB needed to increase to keep the Nitrates where I was comfortable. It was a small amount, and ranged from .5ml up to 1ml by the end of the experiment.

Ah, ok, thanks. That will impact interpretation of calculations such as the one Dan was doing.

 

[JeepinReefer21]

Here are some Photos of a few of the Corals from Before and after the 4 week period. The main thing I noticed as a bit more color, tip growth and over all health looked better. As in Fimbriaphyllia looked fuller and where more extended, Acanthrophillia were consistently fluffy and my Caulastrea were always fluffed up and with there feeling tentacles out. My Acros had very nice polyp extension, even from the ones that didn't usually. Three of these are Rescue Frags from a Coral farm that couldn't sell them, and 2 are brand new to my system. I thought there showed pretty nice growth for just 4 weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks for the photos.