I mistakenly bought calcium nitrate instead of Sodium Nitrate.

[VaReefer]

I mistakenly ordered calcium nitrate instead of sodium nitrate. I needed it to raise my nitrates. Is there a use for the calcium nitrate?

 

[nick_md]

Calcium nitrate will dissociate into calcium and nitrate when added into the water. So it can still raise nitrates, but will also raise calcium.

 

[VaReefer]

Thats what I figured. Thanks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

calcium nitrate is used to boost both nitrates and calcium at the same time. I dont see it as a necessity but some use it as a potential cost savings, but the amount applied with RO water has to be precise.

 

[Shirak]

If your only looking to add a few ppm of nitrate you will only add half that ppm calcium. Probably wouldn't be noticeable even if added daily.

 

[Courtney Aldrich]

1 ppm calcium per day doesn't sound like much, but after a month that's 30 ppm of calcium. If you do 25% monthly water changes, then you'll end up accumulating about 120 ppm over a year by my estimates until you reach a steady-state presuming you don't consume any calcium (i.e. FOWLR tank)! Of course if you're consuming lots of calcium with corals, then you don't have to worry.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I think it is a good choice, actually, because dosing nitrate also ends up boosting alkalinity when the nitrate is reduced and incorporated into organics, so it is a balanced calcium and alkalinity dose effect.