Hello,
I am getting a 0.0 Nitrate reading (Hanna, HR) in a newly set up (currently fishless (on purpose)) aquarium. (PO4 reading is 0.03 ppm (Hanna, ULR)).
I am considering dosing nitrate (in the form of NaNO3) to raise NO3 to readable level (just above the stated Hanna error margin). (I am aware that an increase in nitrate can also be accomplished through ammonia(ium?) dosing, but I am trying to avoid any significant amount of ammonia availability to the system for the first/next few weeks.).
I understand (through discussion here but mostly) through my own observations that low levels of PO4/NO3 can(/usually are) reduced to zero if the other is dosed by itself.
To avoid a reduction of current PO4 level (from 0.03) to 0.0, I would like to understand what a reasonable dosing starting point would be for both NO3 + PO4 assuming the dosing will occur simultaneously. (ex: dose enough Na3PO4 to increase PO4 by 0.015 ppm and dose enough NaNO3 to increase NO3 by 0.24 ppm).
I assume there is no 'rule' here, but if there is an educated estimate I could put together that would:
a) increase my NO3 to detectable levels (to say, > 0.5 ppm) whilst
b) preventing my NO3 from falling < 0.03 ppm
I would be grateful.
My (perhaps 'special') logic is saying to start somewhere ~ Redfield ratio.
Which brought up another thought/aside (I suppose for the moment, one that hopefully doesn't completely derail the focus on the next small step I'm trying to figure out); should I take into account carbon in my solution? (Logic is also telling me that if I add carbon, there is the potential to bottom out both NO3+PO4). Or would the recommendation from the pros be to dose carbon, nitrate, and phosphate simultaneously for the best results? (with best being defined as readable NO3, readable PO4, (SPS) corals staying alive, minimizing chance of pest algae/bacteria outbreak in a very new system).
Thank you in advance, and please feel free to point out gross conceptual errors. I always feel like I've got a pretty good handle on aquarium biology, until I start reading through the articles/responses/chatter from Randy, Subsea, Garf, BeanAnimal, and the likes
... Promise to have a thick skin along with a willingness to learn (and put in the effort/time/reading if pointed in a direction).
I am getting a 0.0 Nitrate reading (Hanna, HR) in a newly set up (currently fishless (on purpose)) aquarium. (PO4 reading is 0.03 ppm (Hanna, ULR)).
I am considering dosing nitrate (in the form of NaNO3) to raise NO3 to readable level (just above the stated Hanna error margin). (I am aware that an increase in nitrate can also be accomplished through ammonia(ium?) dosing, but I am trying to avoid any significant amount of ammonia availability to the system for the first/next few weeks.).
I understand (through discussion here but mostly) through my own observations that low levels of PO4/NO3 can(/usually are) reduced to zero if the other is dosed by itself.
To avoid a reduction of current PO4 level (from 0.03) to 0.0, I would like to understand what a reasonable dosing starting point would be for both NO3 + PO4 assuming the dosing will occur simultaneously. (ex: dose enough Na3PO4 to increase PO4 by 0.015 ppm and dose enough NaNO3 to increase NO3 by 0.24 ppm).
I assume there is no 'rule' here, but if there is an educated estimate I could put together that would:
a) increase my NO3 to detectable levels (to say, > 0.5 ppm) whilst
b) preventing my NO3 from falling < 0.03 ppm
I would be grateful.
My (perhaps 'special') logic is saying to start somewhere ~ Redfield ratio.
Which brought up another thought/aside (I suppose for the moment, one that hopefully doesn't completely derail the focus on the next small step I'm trying to figure out); should I take into account carbon in my solution? (Logic is also telling me that if I add carbon, there is the potential to bottom out both NO3+PO4). Or would the recommendation from the pros be to dose carbon, nitrate, and phosphate simultaneously for the best results? (with best being defined as readable NO3, readable PO4, (SPS) corals staying alive, minimizing chance of pest algae/bacteria outbreak in a very new system).
Thank you in advance, and please feel free to point out gross conceptual errors. I always feel like I've got a pretty good handle on aquarium biology, until I start reading through the articles/responses/chatter from Randy, Subsea, Garf, BeanAnimal, and the likes