Nitrate supliment

[ovicez2004]

Hello all!

What diy nitrate supliment do you recomand in the absence of sodium nitrate, wich in Europe is considered an explosive precursor and it's ilegal to sold for home using?

I can buy calcium nitrate tetrahydrate. This is the formula stated by the manufacturer (6Ca (NO3) 2 NH4NO3-12H2O) . Is that ok? And if so, can you provide a RODI mixing solution?

I have a 40 gallon reef tank.

 

[JTP424]

Do a search for nitrate dosing on the forum! Randy has something on here about what you can use....

 

[ovicez2004]

Thanks for the answer, but I need the answer for the above mentioned formula. It is the only nitrate supplement available in Romania.

 

[DanyL]

6Ca (NO3) 2 NH4NO3-12H2O

Hmm this is actually Calcium Ammonium Nitrate.

It’s a bit cumbersome to calculate, given that you will need to get the percentage of each NH4 and NO3 by mass, translate NH4 impact and than combine them to get final Nitrate impact.

But you will also need to follow the amount of NH4 added, because adding too much to fast may (potentially) cause some problems with fish, so the general rule of thumb is to be careful with it.

Unless you have no other way to get something else, I would recommend you to consult with @Randy Holmes-Farley, because I’m not comfortable calculating a complex supplement like this myself.

 

[DanyL]

Hmm actually - it’s also not Tetrahydrate, it has 12 molecules of water.

I think you might have the wrong formula (?)

 

[josh57]

I swapped from dosing nitrate to dosing ammonium chloride. The corals have responded more favorably after swapping. They might more easily use it than once it is in the nitrate form. Theres a bunch of forums on here about it.

 

[BryanM]

I know it is not diy, but can you get NeoNitro there?

 

[ovicez2004]

I know it is not diy, but can you get NeoNitro there?

No

 

[ovicez2004]

Hmm actually - it’s also not Tetrahydrate, it has 12 molecules of water.

I think you might have the wrong formula (?)

I think the tetra-part is wrong. The formula is stated on the package. It also say: Ammonium (N) 15,3% Nitrate (N) 14,2% Calcium Oxide (CaO), 26,5%

 

[JTP424]

Thanks for the answer, but I need the answer for the above mentioned formula. It is the only nitrate supplement available in Romania.

Ah. Sorry

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ammonium bicarbonate (baking ammonia) is a possibility.

 

[ovicez2004]

Ammonium bicarbonate (baking ammonia) is a possibility.

Thank you for your answer. I've never thought of that. A dosing calculator for that please.

 

[Pistondog]

I dissolve 20 grams ammonium bicarbonate in 1 liter of rodi.
Then dose 10ml spread over 24 hours for my 125 gallon system.
You may have to dose more or less, depending on feeding and consumption.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for your answer. I've never thought of that. A dosing calculator for that please.

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

 

[JTP424]

Thank you for your answer. I've never thought of that. A dosing calculator for that please.

This is in that thread I was talking about sorry for not being specific. Randy has one on here called "dosing for low nitrate systems" it uses ammonium bicarbonate

 

[ovicez2004]

Thank you all for your support. This is a great, great forum.

 

[rtparty]

Yep, ammonium bicarbonate. Should be available since it’s a common baking ingredient.