DIY Ammonia dosing for low nitrate systems

[Lasse]

I do not know either but I do think that the accepted hypothesis is that uptake happens at the light period. The photosynthesis transform inorganic carbon into glucose, inorganic P into ATP and inorganic N into amino acids - altogether in the chloroplast

Sincerely Lasse

I think I have to correct myself or at least through in some doubt of my former statement. I have read some articles that indicate that uptake rates are more or less independent of light or dark periods if it is the normal day/night schedule. You learn as long as you live.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[KStatefan]

So you’re dosing 0.3 ppm daily. Have you noticed anything negative like increased algae growth or possible Dino’s getting happy or more active? Any better PE or anything noticeable?

I have been dosing since I reset the tank so no change to notice. I adjust the dose based on Nitrate level. If above 10ppm I reduce it.

 

[Lasse]

I have been dosing since I reset the tank so no change to notice. I adjust the dose based on Nitrate level. If above 10ppm I reduce it.

What´s your PO4?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[KStatefan]

What´s your PO4?

Sincerely Lasse

Been dosing calcium phosphate to keep it at least 0.02 ppm averaging 0.03 for the last 3 months.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So let's see if reading thru 40 pages I got this correct . 100g tank n is at zero currently . I'm gonna start amounium bicarbonate at 10ml a day based on the mix randy posted on page 1. And test daily and adjust from there .

Sounds reasonable. :)

 

[Lasse]

Been dosing calcium phosphate to keep it at least 0.02 ppm averaging 0.03 for the last 3 months.

With what do you measure PO4? IMO - when you read 0,03 with any hobby method - it could be 0. If I could chose my optimal PO4 concentration - it would be around 0.1 mg/L. It would be very interesting to know the PO4 concentrations in tanks showing effect or not showing effect when NH3/NH4 dosing start.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Reefahholic]

With what do you measure PO4? IMO - when you read 0,03 with any hobby method - it could be 0. If I could chose my optimal PO4 concentration - it would be around 0.1 mg/L. It would be very interesting to know the PO4 concentrations in tanks showing effect or not showing effect when NH3/NH4 dosing start.

Sincerely Lasse

Agreed.

 

[Brewski4u1]

Need a bit of help , I started dosing ammonium bicarbonate. 100g system started with 10ml a day over 4 doses I'm now at 18ml and my nitrate is still dropping and ammonia is up to .06 do I keep increasing gradually till it stabilizes? Phos is at .05 dosing 38ml a day of nyosphos. And my sps actually are looking worse !

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Need a bit of help , I started dosing ammonium bicarbonate. 100g system started with 10ml a day over 4 doses I'm now at 18ml and my nitrate is still dropping and ammonia is up to .06 do I keep increasing gradually till it stabilizes? Phos is at .05 dosing 38ml a day of nyosphos. And my sps actually are looking worse !

Worse SPS is not good, obviously, but what does worse mean?

What is the nitrate concentration?

Could be you are not adding enough N, or it could be that ammonia is not a good choice for you.

If nitrate is less than 5 ppm, I'd personally increase the ammonia dose and/or dose some nitrate with it for now.

 

[KStatefan]

With what do you measure PO4? IMO - when you read 0,03 with any hobby method - it could be 0. If I could chose my optimal PO4 concentration - it would be around 0.1 mg/L. It would be very interesting to know the PO4 concentrations in tanks showing effect or not showing effect when NH3/NH4 dosing start.

Sincerely Lasse

I use a Hanna Phosphate ULR or a Phosphorus ULR. What do you recommend to test phosphate?

 

[Lasse]

I use both these too. I´m not friend with either :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes: but its better than colour guessing. But mos of us is not adware the accuracy of those. For the checker method - its around ±0.04 mg/L and for the Hanna Marine Master - its around ±0.02 . It means - if you should be sure that´s you not below 0.06 mg/L - you need to read at least 0.1 mg/L

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Brewski4u1]

Worse SPS is not good, obviously, but what does worse mean?

What is the nitrate concentration?

Could be you are not adding enough N, or it could be that ammonia is not a good choice for you.

If nitrate is less than 5 ppm, I'd personally increase the ammonia dose and/or dose some nitrate with it for now.I

I'll dose just nitrate to get it above 5 when I get home , as for the concentration I used what you recommended in the start of this thread 20g to a liter of water, and by worse my green slimer is not green and no polyop extension, same with my forest fire and garf bonsi, mind you all softies and lps look fine if not better.

 

[Faria]

Have you noticed higher growth of coraline algae? Mine has been noticeable.

 

[drawman]

Maybe bump it up a bit. In some systems (including my last one) the Ostreopsis seem to be hindered at higher PO4 levels. Like 0.15-0.25 range.

It's very interesting. I think with the ammonia chloride and phosphate dosing (tropic marin phos feed) dosing I was fueling dinos. Maybe I need to break through to higher numbers? My nitrate has read 0 for a long time and phosphate around 0.05-0.1 with phos feed additions.

 

[Reefahholic]

It's very interesting. I think with the ammonia chloride and phosphate dosing (tropic marin phos feed) dosing I was fueling dinos. Maybe I need to break through to higher numbers? My nitrate has read 0 for a long time and phosphate around 0.05-0.1 with phos feed additions.

I would for sure. Definitely get N up. P at higher level certainly has an effect on Ostreopsis.

 

[Heath395]

Sorry if I missed this. I saw where there was discussion on adding it to top off water with ATO. My question is could it be added even if I'm running kalk in my top off? I just don't have enough room for a dosing pump.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry if I missed this. I saw where there was discussion on adding it to top off water with ATO. My question is could it be added even if I'm running kalk in my top off? I just don't have enough room for a dosing pump.

Don’t add ammonium bicarbonate to it as that will precipitate calcium carbonate. Ammonium chloride can be added it it, but keep it closed since the ammonia will tend to evaporate.

 

[Heath395]

For a month I've been dosing 10 ml twice a day to a 90 gallon system. All SPS are looking great with growth color and PE. Had a couple spots of cyano which are disappearing. Nitrates are reading consistently less than five and sometimes zero on a red sea test. If I go with the philosophy of observe the tank not the numbers everything looks great. This system has been chronically low in nitrate. I am dosing acropower but since starting the ammonia have stopped dosing nitrate. All very interesting.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

For a month I've been dosing 10 ml twice a day to a 90 gallon system. All SPS are looking great with growth color and PE. Had a couple spots of cyano which are disappearing. Nitrates are reading consistently less than five and sometimes zero on a red sea test. If I go with the philosophy of observe the tank not the numbers everything looks great. This system has been chronically low in nitrate. I am dosing acropower but since starting the ammonia have stopped dosing nitrate. All very interesting.

Sounds great. Thanks for the update!

 

[threebuoys]

@Randy Holmes-Farley ,

When dosing ammonia, should I test for ammonia? for nitrate? or both?

My nitrate level is very low, while my phospate level is OK. So, rather than dosing vinegar or vodka, I think I will dose ammonia using your formula. I haven't tested for ammonia in years, but should I if I begin dosing it?