I mistakenly bought calcium nitrate instead of Sodium Nitrate.

VaReefer

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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

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

vetteguy53081

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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.
 

Courtney Aldrich

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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

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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. :)
 
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