Interaction between nitrate and alk

[Gribbles]

Could someone explain how nitrates and alk are related in regards to adding/dosing/consuming nitrates?

I want to understand what activities cause this process - water changes (no right? Assuming the new water is 0ppm no3 and matching alk), carbon dosing (yes), coral consumption (yes?).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The conversion of ammonia to nitrate depletes alk.

The consumption of that nitrate by organisms returns that same amount of alk.

Dosing nitrate that is then consumed therefore raises alk.

Any steady level of nitrate when not dosing it has no impact on alk.

 

[randomfishdude]

The conversion of ammonia to nitrate depletes alk.

The consumption of that nitrate by organisms returns that same amount of alk.

Dosing nitrate that is then consumed therefore raises alk.

Any steady level of nitrate when not dosing it has no impact on alk.

This precisely.

 

[Gribbles]

Ok, so if I dose a carbon source (vinegar etc) that gets consumed by bacteria and then coral, there will be a reduction in nitrates and therefore an increase in alk. Am I understanding that correctly?

Dosing nitrate, then, would not deplete alk because it's only the conversation of ammonia to nitrate that causes it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, so if I dose a carbon source (vinegar etc) that gets consumed by bacteria and then coral, there will be a reduction in nitrates and therefore an increase in alk. Am I understanding that correctly?

Dosing nitrate, then, would not deplete alk because it's only the conversation of ammonia to nitrate that causes it?

Dosing nitrate that is consumed adds alk. 2.3 dKH for each 50 ppm of nitrate that is consumed.

Organic carbon dosing is tricky since some organics add alk, but vinegar and vodka themselves have no direct effect. If they or algae or corals or anything else alive cause a decline in nitrate, that decline increases alk. But if nitrate is steady, there is no alk effect.

 

[Gribbles]

Ok, I understand. Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing!