Different methods to raise nitrates

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Hello guys ! I am currently in a spot I never thought I’d reach, I am low on nitrates ! My nitrates are right at 0 with my phosphates at .06 ppm. I have ordered some Brightwell Aquatics Neo Nitro and am going to give it a shot and see how that goes ! I wanted to ask you guys, what different methods of dosing nitrates are there? I’ve seen potassium nitrates and sodium nitrates, what do you guys dose ? Also, is it true as nitrates rise, phosphates fall ? Oil someone explain the process ? Thank you guys I hope this thread helps many others as well !

 

[Gedxin]

There's the 'natural' way, which is to just feed more. Another 'natural' way is to add more fish (more fish means more poop means more nitrogen cycle.)

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

There's the 'natural' way, which is to just feed more. Another 'natural' way is to add more fish (more fish means more poop means more nitrogen cycle.)

I agree ! I ordered Neo Nitro two days ago, however, I’m thinking about heading to the LFS and purchasing a third fish for my 20 gallon reef. Might hold on the dose however I’m curious as to the methods you guys approach!

 

[Gedxin]

I zeroed out my nitrates and phosphates last week. I've been feeding like mad since discovering, I've also reduced my skimmer time. Today I tested 4ppm nitrates and .04 phosphates. Pretty successful, but I know just one anecdote.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

I zeroed out my nitrates and phosphates last week. I've been feeding like mad since discovering, I've also reduced my skimmer time. Today I tested 4ppm nitrates and .04 phosphates. Pretty successful, but I know just one anecdote.

glad to hear ! I only have two clowns and two hammer corals in my 20 gallon, I might start feeding twice a day with my clowns and broadcast feeding the two corals to let some of the reef roofs breakdown in the water !

 

[Gtinnel]

I occasionally have to add nitrates to my tank and for the last few years I've been using a solution from potassium nitrate (stump remover). I've just recently bought a bag of sodium nitrate on the advice from Randy Holmes Farley, but I haven't used it yet. The only problem with potassium nitrate is that the potassium levels in your tank will increase over time, ecspecially if you don't do regular water changes.
If you have 0 nitrates, when you add nitrates it may lower your phosphates. The reason is that the organisms that consume nitrates also consume phosphates at the same time. If nitrate is 0 then it can't use either. Once you dose nitrates back up it starts consuming both again, which can lower phosphates. This usually gets referred to as being nitrate limited, because the low nitrate stops the tank from consuming phosphate as well.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

I occasionally have to add nitrates to my tank and for the last few years I've been using a solution from potassium nitrate (stump remover). I've just recently bought a bag of sodium nitrate on the advice from Randy Holmes Farley, but I haven't used it yet. The only problem with potassium nitrate is that the potassium levels in your tank will increase over time, ecspecially if you don't do regular water changes.
If you have 0 nitrates, when you add nitrates it may lower your phosphates. The reason is that the organisms that consume nitrates also consume phosphates at the same time. If nitrate is 0 then it can't use either. Once you dose nitrates back up it starts consuming both again, which can lower phosphates. This usually gets referred to as being nitrate limited, because the low nitrate stops the tank from consuming phosphate as well.

Oh okay, this makes a million times sense. Sounds good, I purchase some Brightwell NeoNitro which I’m planning on dosing up to 5 ppm as I have only euphyllia in my reef and plan on purchasing 10 new euphyllia frags soon. I skipped through 2 water changes in hopes of my nitrates rising with no luck at all, now my reef looks detritus heavy haha. Definitely makes sense as to why the phosphates rise, thank you for the knowledge. Do you have an idea how much nitrate I can safely add each day and how often to test ? Also how often do you dose nitrates ?

 

[Gtinnel]

Oh okay, this makes a million times sense. Sounds good, I purchase some Brightwell NeoNitro which I’m planning on dosing up to 5 ppm as I have only euphyllia in my reef and plan on purchasing 10 new euphyllia frags soon. I skipped through 2 water changes in hopes of my nitrates rising with no luck at all, now my reef looks detritus heavy haha. Definitely makes sense as to why the phosphates rise, thank you for the knowledge. Do you have an idea how much nitrate I can safely add each day and how often to test ? Also how often do you dose nitrates ?

The best answer I can give on how much you can raise it at one time is that I add it to my tank and go up several ppm all with one dose. I usually dose when I see nitrates hit 1 and I'll dose it back up to a little under 5. I would personally dose it up to 5 at one time but I won't say for a fact that it's safe to do. The more often you test the better, I was testing 2 or 3 times per week, but as I've increased bio load in the tank I don't add nitrates very often and I only test once per week now. I only add nitrates to my tank about once per week, or maybe a little less, at one point I was adding it several times a week.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

The best answer I can give on how much you can raise it at one time is that I add it to my tank and go up several ppm all with one dose. I usually dose when I see nitrates hit 1 and I'll dose it back up to a little under 5. I would personally dose it up to 5 at one time but I won't say for a fact that it's safe to do. The more often you test the better, I was testing 2 or 3 times per week, but as I've increased bio load in the tank I don't add nitrates very often and I only test once per week now. I only add nitrates to my tank about once per week, or maybe a little less, at one point I was adding it several times a week.

Makes sense ! Thank you for that info ! Definitely planning on adding more fish to my 20 gallon. I was planning out maybe a pink line wrasse, it’s just the QT that I hate with a passion haha. I’ll definitely keep testing frequently, perhaps daily the first few days to ensure I get the right amount of nitrates. Thanks once again on the knowledge ! Knowledge is power !

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree ! I ordered Neo Nitro two days ago, however, I’m thinking about heading to the LFS and purchasing a third fish for my 20 gallon reef. Might hold on the dose however I’m curious as to the methods you guys approach!

MY recommendation is to dose food or reagent grade sodium nitrate. Cheap, easy, and gives full control of the dose without impacting anything else significant.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

MY recommendation is to dose food or reagent grade sodium nitrate. Cheap, easy, and gives full control of the dose without impacting anything else significant.

I ordered some Neo nitro, however next time I’ll for sure give that a try. I found some on Amazon for $15 for a 5 pound bag, I bet that would last me an eternity haha.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Here’s why I’m worried about my nitrates, ever since a month ago, I over did my water changes and took out way too much nitrates. I’ve skipped 2 water changes with no lock of increase and my only 2 hammers I have began to recede a bit. I will post pictures once I’m able to get the nitrates to at least 2ppm for a while and then 5 ppm. Im going to be updating my build thread if you guys want to watch ! New aqua scape coming in and so are new corals in September ! Thank you guys for the help! Let’s keep building this thread so that others may have knowledge !

 

[Rubberfrog]

I ordered 50 grams of food grade sodium nitrate on amazon and mixed it with 500 ml of di water. Super easy to dose.

 

[Gtinnel]

I ordered some Neo nitro, however next time I’ll for sure give that a try. I found some on Amazon for $15 for a 5 pound bag, I bet that would last me an eternity haha.

I paid just under $30 for the 5lb bag of reagent grade sodium nitrate that I just got in the mail a day or two ago. The only 5lb bag I see on Amazon for about $15 is industrial grade. Make sure whatever you get is food or reagent grade to reduce the odds of contaminants.

 

[Rubberfrog]

I paid just under $30 for the 5lb bag of reagent grade sodium nitrate that I just got in the mail a day or two ago. The only 5lb bag I see on Amazon for about $15 is industrial grade. Make sure whatever you get is food or reagent grade to reduce the odds of contaminants.

that is a lifetimes worth

 

[Gtinnel]

that is a lifetimes worth

Yea I know the problem is it was $18 for 1lb or $28 for 5 lbs. I can't pass up a bargain, even if I will never use all of it.

 

[LRT]

Sodium nitrate dosed at few ppm per day while my feeding caught up and helped establish nutrient levels in my recent upgrade. I like dosing sodium nitrates as opposed to overfeeding tank. 100% control and you don't have to worry about nutrients ending up out of control unless you want them too.

 

[LRT]

that is a lifetimes worth

Lol I bought a 1lb bag 2 yrs ago and have only used 30 grams. Still probably have 30 yrs left on this bag

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Yea I know the problem is it was $18 for 1lb or $28 for 5 lbs. I can't pass up a bargain, even if I will never use all of it.

Definitely a great deal, a lifetime of nitrates !!

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Lol I bought a 1lb bag 2 yrs ago and have only used 30 grams. Still probably have 30 yrs left on this bag

Haha pass it in to your next generation ! Haha