Nobody says I can talk clearly. and an old professor of mine at a celebration of my undergraduate student advisor all the sudden said "oh I remember you-- you had a weird way of thinking."I don't understand what you are saying.
If algae takes up one nitrogen atom in the form of nitrate, there is 1 less nitrate ion present.
If algae takes takes up one nitrogen atom in the form of ammonia, there is 1 less ammonia molecule present, and since it converts nearly 1:1 into nitrate, there will be 1 less nitrate ion present.
so I guess I had a weird way of thinking the is memorable after 45 years. LOL
It not an all or nothing type thing. In a brand new sterile tank with no organics or bacteria sure macros would prevent any nitrates by consuming all the ammonia.
But in an established tank where there is a sudden change, bacteria is still there consuming ammonia and the macros are consume the ammonia above that level. So nitrates are still being generate and at the same level as before the change. but no the macros are getting nitrogen from the ammonia and not just the nitrates. Therefore the nitrate will rise.
FWIW I see this all the time in my macro controlled tanks and planted Fw as well. little or no ammonia spikes but an initial nitrate spike. Yet the fish do just fine.
an example from an old 20gfw planted. (hopefully is shows up. LOL)
http://s492.photobucket.com/user/beaslebob/media/aquariums/20 FW Leiden/fwleiden.jpg.html]
or perhaps this. (can't see it at work LOL)
well that didn't work either. LOL
my .02
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