Low No3, should I dose ammonia?

[cjtabares]

I use a Hanna lr tester, I test every Sunday, 2 weeks ago it was at 7, last week it was 3.5, and when I tested yesterday I tested twice and got .5 and .2. All my other parameters seem to be good.

I have an 8 month old 50 total gallon system with 4 fish, 2 clowns, 1 orange spotted goby, and a mandarin. I feed about a cube of homemade frozen food per day.

I have been weaning off the Zeovit system for about a month. I am at about 1/2 the recommended dosing. Plan to be completely off in a few weeks. Was thinking of switching to a different carbon dosing, maybe NP Bacto-balance.

Should I dose Ammonia or anything or just let it ride out for now?

 

[PopBot16]

IMO just feed more and continue to monitor. Maybe add some pellets or flakes to your regime.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would dose ammonium bicarbonate, or feed more.

 

[cjtabares]

IMO just feed more and continue to monitor. Maybe add some pellets or flakes to your regime.

I would dose ammonium bicarbonate, or feed more.

Ok, thanks.

 

[cjtabares]

I would dose ammonium bicarbonate, or feed more.

I tested my no3 again today, it is at zero on the Hanna high range checker. I had already bought the ammonium bicarbonate and am mixing it today. From your other thread I would be dosing 5ml at a time to increase ammonia by .1 ppm(50 gal system). This would increase nitrates .36 ppm. My tank seems to be decreasing by .45ppm nitrates per day. Did I get this all right? Should I do dose 2x per day and test every few days? Also, maybe a dumb question, but would it be ok to store this in a mason jar? I have 1/2 gallon one I was thinking of using.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I tested my no3 again today, it is at zero on the Hanna high range checker. I had already bought the ammonium bicarbonate and am mixing it today. From your other thread I would be dosing 5ml at a time to increase ammonia by .1 ppm(50 gal system). This would increase nitrates .36 ppm. My tank seems to be decreasing by .45ppm nitrates per day. Did I get this all right? Should I do dose 2x per day and test every few days? Also, maybe a dumb question, but would it be ok to store this in a mason jar? I have 1/2 gallon one I was thinking of using.

I'd start by dosing 3x per day and slow up (if needed) when nitrate gets to 2+ ppm. if it doesn't get there, go to more doses per day.

 

[cjtabares]

I'd start by dosing 3x per day and slow up (if needed) when nitrate gets to 2+ ppm. if it doesn't get there, go to more doses per day.

Thank you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Let us know how things work out. :)

 

[cjtabares]

You're welcome.

Let us know how things work out. :)

Will do.

 

[cjtabares]

Tank seems to be doing well. I starting dosing on Thursday, I have dosed 45ml so far, 3, 5ml doses a day. I tested today and am at 4.5 ppm nitrate. Think I am going to cut back to 2 5ml doses a day and test in a few days. If I can maintain ~5ppm no3 I would be happy.