Keeping nitrates between 2-5ppm?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 16, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
Does KNO3 break down in the water?

It dissolves by dissociating into separate potassium ions (K+) and nitrate ions (NO3-).

reeferfoxx · Feb 16, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
It dissolves by dissociating into separate potassium ions (K+) and nitrate ions (NO3-).

Potassium ions are minerals and Nitrates are a salt or ester of nitric acid? But in it's chemical reaction become neither of those correct?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 16, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
Potassium ions are minerals and Nitrates are a salt or ester of nitric acid? But in it's chemical reaction become neither of those correct?

Nitrate ion (NO3-) is the conjugate base of nitric acid, HNO3. When you put nitric acid into water, it dissociates into H+ and nitrate ion:

HNO3 ---> H+ + NO3-

Nitrate ion is a very weak base and has no impact on the pH, so in the traditional sense is neither an acid nor a base.

Potassium ions are not minerals. Nitrate ions are not minerals. Minerals are naturally occurring forms of inorganic compounds. Potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium chloride,and many other potassium and sodium salts can be considered minerals.

jrr98002 · Feb 16, 2017

reeferfoxx said:
Does KNO3 break down in the water?

Yes, potassium nitrate are fully soluable in water, giving the K+ cation and the NO3- (nitrate) anion, giving you the bump in nitrate you want.

Edit: I see I was too slow.

reeferfoxx · Feb 16, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Nitrate ion (NO3-) is the conjugate base of nitric acid, HNO3. When you put nitric acid into water, it dissociates into H+ and nitrate ion:

HNO3 ---> H+ + NO3-

Nitrate ion is a very weak base and has no impact on the pH, so in the traditional sense is neither an acid nor a base.

Potassium ions are not minerals. Nitrate ions are not minerals. Minerals are naturally occurring forms of inorganic compounds. Potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium chloride,and many other potassium and sodium salts can be considered minerals.

Thank you sir! Your knowledge is appreciated

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 16, 2017

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

Vaughn17 · Feb 16, 2017

Stump remover, aka Stump Killer, is a non-food grade product that may contain impurities. Also, IMO, dosing it raised my potassium too high, even with a tankful of rapidly growing sps. Now I dose sodium nitrate, which is food grade and can be purchased on Amazon. Again, when a food grade product is available, why risk using a product with impurities? BTW, I only used KNO3 for four months, and I tested every batch on inverts (bristle worms, brittle stars, and an ugly frag or two) before I dosed it.

Donovan Joannes · Feb 16, 2017

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

Agree with you sir. Less skimming is the best way to increase nutrients naturally. Put your skimmer on timer, test no3/po4 every few days and adjust accordingly.

gig 'em · Feb 16, 2017

I had hard time finding Stump Remover at my Home Depot too. I assumed it would be in the outdoor chemical/pesticide area and I looked forever and couldn't see it. I finally asked a HD employee for help and they pointed it out right away. Was right under my nose the whole time and I was just overwhelmed by all the other bottles and products around it. Try looking again and asking for assistance if you can't find it, it's usually there with the pesticides.

fernalfer · Feb 16, 2017

i found a bottle at lowes. dosed to 1.5ppm everything seemed fine and happy. Will report what everything looks like tomorrow.

sromero287 · Feb 17, 2017

Definately knowledge is so powerful, thanks Randy Holmes-Farley for ur explanations, makes our hobby so enjoyable and user friendly. No more created answers you just shows up, with clear and exact explanations solves the issue and everyone learns and see perfect positives results!!!! Just awesome.

Acuario · Feb 17, 2017

I have been adding Brightwell Aquatics NeoNitro, which is described as a balanced nitrogen source to raise my nitrates. Searching out Stump Remover in the pesticide section seemed like a frightening prospect.

fernalfer · Feb 17, 2017

Acuario said:
I have been adding Brightwell Aquatics NeoNitro, which is described as a balanced nitrogen source to raise my nitrates. Searching out Stump Remover in the pesticide section seemed like a frightening prospect.

It did for me as well. But after seeing so many success stories with dosing it and having Randy backing the use of it i have built up the courage to give it a try.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 17, 2017

sromero287 said:
Definately knowledge is so powerful, thanks Randy Holmes-Farley for ur explanations, makes our hobby so enjoyable and user friendly. No more created answers you just shows up, with clear and exact explanations solves the issue and everyone learns and see perfect positives results!!!! Just awesome.

Thanks.

Happy Reefing.