How to increase nitrate … the proven way

[jmichaelh7]

Hi reefers

Anyone have a method that they’ve been using for a long time to increase nitrates?

Please all recommendations are welcomed.

I have 16 fish in a 150 gallon. Refugium on 24/7 and Skimmer.

the feeding fish method I would say I’ve tried already since I’m dumping 7 frozen cubes and multiple flake feedings in between

 

[Andrey Grodno]

calcium nitrate. fertilizer.

 

[jmichaelh7]

calcium nitrate. fertilizer.

I just realized the natural way is to reduce my photoperiod on my refugium. Instead of 24/7

 

[eqbal9947]

Feed more, less refugium, turn off skimmer

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

My favorite way is to bump up my fuge macro algae consumption to bring levels to zero then dose sodium nitrate back to maintain a consistent level

 

[ScubaShane]

Overfeed and turn off your protein skimmer. Don't change your filter sox. Easy peasy!

 

[MERKEY]

Feed more and open the plug on your Skimmer and let the skimmer dump right into the tank.

Give it a few days....if that doesn't work you may need to add nitrate. ESV nitrate is what most of the old reefers use, which is this product listed by @Andrey Grodno

calcium nitrate. fertilizer.

Brightwells makes some aswell

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Dosing food grade sodium nitrate is cheap and easy to control, and if your concern is guarantee, it cannot ever fail to raise nitrate to a desired target if you add suitable amounts.

Calcium nitrate was mentioned above, and it’s a great way too (better in some ways) but finding suitably pure calcium nitrate is not always easy.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Feed more, less refugium, turn off skimmer

My skimmer controls my co2 scrubber I constantly want that on

 

[jmichaelh7]

My favorite way is to bump up my fuge macro algae consumption to bring levels to zero then dose sodium nitrate back to maintain a consistent level

Sodium nitrate increases nothing but nitrate? I’ve read calcium nitrate increases calcium too . I’m hanging around 480 ca already

 

[jmichaelh7]

Feed more and open the plug on your Skimmer and let the skimmer dump right into the tank.

Give it a few days....if that doesn't work you may need to add nitrate. ESV nitrate is what most of the old reefers use, which is this product listed by @Andrey Grodno

Brightwells makes some aswell

I mentioned calcium nitrate does increase calcium too or what I’ve read.

I like that idea of un plugging the skimmer port. Then phosphates would sky rocket too don’t you think?

I’m at 0.06 po4 i wouldn’t want both to get elevated no3 and po4. I turned the lighting on the refugium to 16 hours from 24 to see if that helps

 

[LRT]

I've used food grade sodium Nitrate with great success. Cheap, Precise, super easy to mix and dose. Not a huge fan of over feeding tank in early stages of balancing nutrients and healthy biodiversity. Feed fish what they can eat with a little falling to cuc. Dose Nitrates and Phosphates if needed until regular feedings catch up. So much cleaner this way.

 

[jmichaelh7]

I've used food grade sodium Nitrate with great success. Cheap, Precise, super easy to mix and dose. Not a huge fan of over feeding tank in early stages of balancing nutrients and healthy biodiversity. Feed fish what they can eat with a little falling to cuc. Dose Nitrates and Phosphates if needed until regular feedings catch up. So much cleaner this way.

I’m looking at it. Does sodium nitrate increase anything else

 

[nereefpat]

I’m looking at it. Does sodium nitrate increase anything else

Sodium and nitrate

 

[LRT]

I’m looking at it. Does sodium nitrate increase anything else

Not sure what else it may increase besides Nitrate and Sodium (to a small extent, I never noticed an increase in salinity) but I'll let pros respond on that one. I'd be more curious and concerned about what is overfeeding also increasing in a young tank during early stages of life's cycle. I just like the control of dosing nutrients all the way around.

 

[nereefpat]

One more thing: dosing nitrate will increase alkalinity if nitrate is converted into nitrogen gas by anaerobic bacteria.

 

[edd59]

I’m looking at it. Does sodium nitrate increase anything else

i thought i read it increases phosphate and nitrate. curious myself

 

[homer1475]

Sodium nitrate will raise nitrate only, and sodium to a small degree, but nothing that would be noticeable.

 

[jmichaelh7]

My lfs advised of a bottled product that increases nitrate too. The plan is to reduce photoperiod and keep things the same

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sodium nitrate increases nothing but nitrate? I’ve read calcium nitrate increases calcium too . I’m hanging around 480 ca already

Any nitrate dosing (and consumption) boosts alkalinity. 50 ppm nitrate boosts alk by 2.3 dKH.

The calcium is a bit better because it raises calcium and alk in a balanced fashion and doe snot cause any issues. But as I said, it is hard to find a pure DIY material.

Sodium itself is not a concern as you will never significantly alter the starting sodium concentration in seawater (10,800 ppm) unless you dose a lot over a very long time with no water changes.

Potassium nitrate dosing is a poor choice, IMO, because potassium can be substantially raised in just a few weeks. There is more potassium, by weight in potassium nitrate than there is sodium in sodium nitrate, and potassium starts at only 400 ppm in seawater.