Ammonia for artificial bioload?

thejuggernaut · Apr 17, 2015

I have been wanting to run some test to figure out the efficiency of several different types of filtration. Cheato (under different types of lighting), ATS, Marinepure Blocks. I would like to be able to precisely introduce a specific amount of nutrients that I can measure. That way I could make sure the tests are consistent across all the test systems. My questions is, will ammonia alone be enough to simulate a real bio load. I know it will be broken down to nitrite and nitrate, but will I need something else to produce phosphates. Would it just be better to measure out and dose the same amounts of raw food instead? The problem I see with food is it building up in the bottom of the tank with nothing to eat it, and it start producing nutrients on a exponential scale. That is why I thought a clean ammonia source would be a better solution. Thoughts, suggestions?!

chefjpaul · Apr 18, 2015

Why not use a phoshpate fertilizer for aqua planted tanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 18, 2015

You definite to keep many thing controlled, not just phosphate, but trace elements as well, such as iron.

It's a bit if a tricky project for that reason, and simply picking a normal husbandry routine (foods, additives, etc.) might be best.

thejuggernaut · Apr 23, 2015

Yea,

Maybe if I puree it into a fine mush, it will be decomposed in a quicker more controllable manner. Maybe there is a reason nobody really ever does it. There is just so much anecdotal information out there on everything, I was wanting to get some hard numbers. While they may not be perfect, they would be better than what I can find. Thanks for your responses.