Assuming it even worked? !! You do advise changing the C/N ratio of feed by adding organic carbon, carbohydrtates, I assume you do know how it works, about how installed autotrophic carrying capacity, the nitrification capacity is removed to be replaced by fast heterotrophic growth.
Basic management of the C/N ratio using the foodsource uses the same basic natural principles but is a lot more system and user friendly, does not include the risks dosing carbohydrates, can not lead to overdosing, can not lead to killing or bleaching corals, and is done to match nitrate production with nitrate consumption, is not done for the wrong reason, reducing a high nitrate level. ( fast growing heterotrophic bacteria use ammonia, not nitrate) Using the foodsource drastic changes are avoided, are not possible.
A great deal of scientific research has been carried out past decades regarding the regulation of the nitrogen balance and the distribution of the carrying capacity between heterotrophs and autrophs based on the C/N ratio of the food, concerning managing closed marine life support systems. Everything has been examined and tested, the how and why, down to the smallest detail. This information is also very important to those who have been advised to add carbohydrates to change the C/N ratio present in the tank, without being properly informed of known possible side effects and consequences.
Commercial products sold for that purpose do provide little or no information about possible side effects , one has no clue how much carbon is added, the content is unknown, In what way the C/N ratio of feed is changed? And yes , these products do what they promise to do, the rest is the responsibility of the user.
it is sensible trying to mange the nitrate production , matching nitrate production and fotosynthetic consumption, preventing nitrate will accumulate.
The protein content of food should be basic information, and is part of basic nutrient management of closed systems
but it has nothing to do with the way everyone can easily adjust the nitrate balance if they so wish, but especially with the provision of correct information. I don't want to persuade the user to do or not to do something, but that if one makes a decision it can be done on the basis of correct information, without being misled.
to provide basic information provide to you in a previous discussion about the same subject?
Nitrate accumulation is easily avoided? Apart from managing the nitrate production ratio using the C/N ratio of feed one must also manage the nitrate consumption and nitrogen export. When the carbon source of feed is used up, this must be done by producers, photosynthetic organisms. This can be done using AAM, active algae management.
C/N data isn't available for foods in general. Correct, the protein content is generally available. How difficult it me be ? It is basic knowledge. For aquarium use one can use the protein content, the final result is the same.
The protein content of most natural feed is available. if it is about commercial food, one should not use food from a supplier not providing basic information. Quality foods and feed media including the info of what they contain are available for those who wish to know what is added to the tank.
The C/N ratio of basic food is directly linked to the protein content
Regardless of the protein content, the carbon content of a feed is always taken to be 50%. To get the C:N ratio, one has to find the N%. This is done by dividing the protein by 6.25. For example, for a shrimp feed with a crude protein of 21%, the N content is 21 divided by 6.25 = 3.36%. Thus the C:N ratio of the feed is 50 divided by 3.36 = 14.88:1 or close to 15:1
C/N = 50/ ( P / 6.25) ref: MB biovlokken, voedsel
Commercial flake food offered for seawater aquariums usually has a protein content of +- 40% and some even more than 50%. In addition, it sometimes contains carrots, celery and even garlic. In a marine environment, feed containing land plants ( cellulose) is very difficult and not completely broken down (formation of detritus)
The presence of cellulose, a multiple sugar, also gives a false impression of the C/N ratio of the food as some of the organic carbon in cellulose cannot be used by most marine organisms, promoting nitrate accumulation.
You continue to recommend better ways? You recommend to match input to consumption/export. Everybody will agrees about that. Everybody will like to follow that recommendation. HOW?
Maybe you want to continue to recommend
other ways ? Till now
other recommendations did not solve the recurrent problem of nitrate accumulation?
Other recommendations try to battle symptoms but do not help to cure. I think preventing is better as curing. I am looking out for an other
better way .
We do have AAM to manage the nutrient content and export. I have no knowledge of a better way to solve the recurrent problem of nutrient accumulation. In the case of using AAM the C/N ratio of feed is part of basic management, important to match nitrate production with consumption and growth.
A lot of hobbyist use very expensive equipment and follow recommendations to correct what basically went wrong,
They are waiting for a better way.
In a closed system it is not only about nitrogen import and export, it is about the ability to reduce ammonia, which depends on the C/N ratio of feed.
