Calculate a ratio?

[m0jjen]

While i do understand that ratios says little to nothing in most cases im curious to how you would calculate our tanks nutrients into ratios.

For example we have tritons calculated ratios for reef tanks:

Nitrogen, Carbon and Phosphorus* ( N : C : P ) TRITON Ratio in mol... 147 : 12400 : 1

How would one calculate how much no3 and po4 there is into the ratio. If we use 2 ppm no3 for the calculation. What would the po4 be?

Im looking for an explanation to how the math looks rather than use it to adjust my nutrients

 

[Fotocha]

I'm sorry what is the formula exactly?

 

[m0jjen]

I'm sorry what is the formula exactly?

Thats kinda my question. How does one turn a ratio of 12400:147:1 C:N into actual no3/po4 or if its even possible

 

[Fotocha]

No I meant is the formula equal parts? I can help you with the math. I'm just not familiar with the actual Formula

 

[m0jjen]

No I meant is the formula equal parts? I can help you with the math. I'm just not familiar with the actual Formula

Im gonna go ahead and guess it nots since the ratio states 147:1 N so to do the math im guessing we need to establish how much N there are in 0.1 (or any given number) No3 and P in 0.1 po4. By knowing these you can apply it to any given nitrate or phosphate to calculate the other into the ratio. What i dont know is how to calculate how much N there is a a given number of no3 or P in a given number of po4.

 

[Fotocha]

147 what? Nitrogen, How is it expressed?

I need units of measure first.

How about of link of where you saw the formula?

 

[m0jjen]

147 what? Nitrogen, How is it expressed?

I need units of measure first.

How about of link of where you saw the formula?

147 nitrogen to 1 phosphurus

 

[Big E]

I use my own "formula" for ratios based on P04 and N03 because it's what I can measure accurately.

I then started to compile a list of successful tanks similar to my own..........acropora dominate. I've tracked quite a few and they all fall into a common range. It's no secret that it's a range that has been successful for 2 decades.

 

[m0jjen]

I use my own "formula" for ratios based on P04 and N03 because it's what I can measure accurately.

I then started to compile a list of successful tanks similar to my own..........acropora dominate. I've tracked quite a few and they all fall into a common range. It's no secret that it's a range that has been successful for 2 decades.

Do tell

 

[Big E]

Do tell

50-200 to 1 Nitrate to Phosphate. Approximate 100-1 range is most common.

I use a lot of my own observations and criteria with concerns on which aquariums make the cut as being successful. It mainly is based on amount of Acropora in the system and long term success, growth/color.

There are of course many variables that go into a successful system, but this is one that is common among many of them.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

These ratios are sometimes tossed around by hobbyists with little regard for what they really mean. Specifically, are they weight based or number of atoms based?

If nitrate is the only source of nitrogen present, one can calculate the weight and number of moles a N atoms present. But if there are other nitrogen types present (say, in organic molecules, ammonia, or nitrite) then the calculation is more complicated.