Magnesium Nitrate - Greenhouse Grade

[augustx]

Hi All,

I am in Canada and don't have access to food grade sodium nitrate at a reasonable cost (I might as well be buying brightwell's Neonitrate at that point).

I did find this greenhouse grade one... any advise? Thanks :)

 

[GlassMunky]

While I’m no chem expert I would think it would be less than desirable.
First: greenhouse grade doesn’t mean anything and most agriculture purposes aren’t that pure compared to food or pharma grades
Second: you’d also be adding in Magnesium with every dose in addition to the nitrogen so will maybe be an issue over time with MAG rising slowly?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If that was my only choice for nitrate, I'd elect ammonia dosing instead. I'd be concerned about impurities, and magnesium rising (unless you account for that somehow).

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

 

[augustx]

Thanks All! Any good recommendations on Ammonia products?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd check amazon for food grade ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium chloride. Not sure what all is available in Canada.

 

[augustx]

Maybe I am in luck!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, that looks good. :)

 

[augustx]

Randy, how long do I wait to test for Nitrate after dosing ammonium?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, how long do I wait to test for Nitrate after dosing ammonium?

It may all get consumed by corals and such, so I would only test once every few days.