Keeping nitrates between 2-5ppm?

[fernalfer]

Ok my Nitrates have read 0 for the last 6 months. I always here people saying you should have some Nitrates present in the water. Question is if they are at zero how do you bring them up to that 2ppm-5ppm range? My corals seem to be doing fine but grow very slowly.

 

[blkhwkz]

I use Spectracide stump remover, it is potassium nitrate and I followed Randy's recipe:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/q...ide-stump-remover-dosing.213281/#post-2443440

 

[Joshky]

If your corals seem fine it may not be necessary, you may just have the right balance of import/export for your tank. You can experiment raising your nitrates a little and see if it makes a difference for you, raising them a little shouldn't be an issue, but you may not notice a difference.

 

[fernalfer]

If your corals seem fine it may not be necessary, you may just have the right balance of import/export for your tank. You can experiment raising your nitrates a little and see if it makes a difference for you, raising them a little shouldn't be an issue, but you may not notice a difference.

what product do i use to raise the nitrates? i just saw the above post i will look into the stump remover product

 

[reeferfoxx]

I use Spectracide stump remover, it is potassium nitrate and I followed Randy's recipe:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/q...ide-stump-remover-dosing.213281/#post-2443440

 

[andrew james]

Why not before adding more chems to tank try running your skimmer less and feeding more?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Why not before adding more chems to tank try running your skimmer less and feeding more?

Potassium nitrate isn't a chemical but minerals. It's a natural way of controlling nutrients. Skimmers provide more than just nutrient removal but can help with CO2, pH and provide added O2.
Feeding more can also increase PO4 and not always NO3. An imbalance can cause cyano and inhibit coral growth.

Correction, nitrates aren't a mineral but a substance or acid. DOC or dissolved organic compound.

 

[andrew james]

Potassium nitrate isn't a chemical but minerals. It's a natural way of controlling nutrients. Skimmers provide more than just nutrient removal but can help with CO2, pH and provide added O2.
Feeding more can also increase PO4 and not always NO3. An imbalance can cause cyano and inhibit coral growth.

Correction, nitrates aren't a mineral but a substance or acid. DOC or dissolved organic compound.

Sorry, Potassium Nitrate is most definitely chemical compound. Your other comments are valid though.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Sorry, Potassium Nitrate is most definitely chemical compound. Your other comments are valid though.

Fair enough. Still a natural chemical compound.

 

[fernalfer]

tried

I use Spectracide stump remover, it is potassium nitrate and I followed Randy's recipe:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/q...ide-stump-remover-dosing.213281/#post-2443440

tried both home depot and lowes. Neither carried it. only had a product called stump out. not by spectracide.

 

[Rick.45cal]

tried



tried both home depot and lowes. Neither carried it. only had a product called stump out. not by spectracide.

Amazon sells it

 

[reeferfoxx]

tried



tried both home depot and lowes. Neither carried it. only had a product called stump out. not by spectracide.

I purchased mine from Home Depot gardening center? They may have been out when you looked?

 

[andrew james]

went crazy for a second there, sorry all.

 

[tom reilly]

tried



tried both home depot and lowes. Neither carried it. only had a product called stump out. not by spectracide.

Regular nursery will have it.)

 

[reeferfoxx]

went crazy for a second there, sorry all.

I just lol'd all over myself!

 

[fernalfer]

ok found some question is my nitrates are 0 how fast can i bring it up to lets say 3ppm. Or do i have to bring the nitrates up gradually 1ppm at a time? just wondering if there will be negative effects bringing it to 3ppm all at once

 

[Rick.45cal]

I'd split it up over time, plus you don't want to overshoot. I'd add a small amount then test 24 hours later and add another small dose, wait 24 hours and test agian. I would repeat this until it gradually comes up to 2.5ppm .

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Potassium nitrate isn't a chemical but minerals. It's a natural way of controlling nutrients. Skimmers provide more than just nutrient removal but can help with CO2, pH and provide added O2.
Feeding more can also increase PO4 and not always NO3. An imbalance can cause cyano and inhibit coral growth.

Correction, nitrates aren't a mineral but a substance or acid. DOC or dissolved organic compound.

Huh?

Potassium nitrate is a chemical. It can also be called a mineral when it forms naturally, and in that case the mineral is niter.

It is an inorganic solid, so definitely is not a DOC (dissolved organic compound).

It is not an acid or a base.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, Potassium Nitrate is most definitely chemical compound. Your other comments are valid though.

No, they aren't. lol

 

[reeferfoxx]

Huh?

Potassium nitrate is a chemical. It can also be called a mineral when it forms naturally, and in that case the mineral is niter.

It is an inorganic solid, so definitely is not a DOC (dissolved organic compound).

It is not an acid or a base.

Does KNO3 break down in the water?