N:P Solution

[Dan Reef]

Hello!

I'm currently dosing 15ml of ammonium bicarbonate (20g/L) and 6ml (to deliver 0,02mg/L) of Phosphate from Fauna Marin in a 300l tank.

I'm out of dosing heads and I'm dosing Phosphate manually. I was wondering if I could combine N:P in one single solution to take advantage of the dosing pump.

I asked ChatGPT to help me and this is what I got:

1. It's best to be a concentrated solution to reduce the microbiological risk;
2. It's best to acidify the solution to maintain ammonia stable and reduce microbiological risk.

The suggested solution is:

• 200 g/L de ammonium bicarbonate
• 75,3 mg/L de monosodium phosphate
• 10 mL/L de vinegar

The suggested dose is: 1,4ml/day to dose 0,02ppm/L P and 0,2mg/L ammonia.

What do you guys think of that? Would it be stable?

Do you think the C addition from the vinegar is negligible? My goal is to dose N and P. The vinegar is there just to acidify the solution.

Alternatively I could use ammonium chloride but in Brazil its controlled so it's not easy to access.

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ammonium bicarbonate, sodium phosphate and vinegar can all be combined.

 

[Dan Reef]

Do you think I need the vinegar to keep the solution without microbial growth ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you think I need the vinegar to keep the solution without microbial growth ?

Dilute vinegar may make it worse. Without vinegar, algae may grow, but not heterotrophic bacteria as they have no organic to consume. Keep it dark if no vinegar. If using vinegar, I’d try to keep it close to full strength.