Nitrate Dosing vs Reef Energy

[jeffww]

I wanted to learn what you guys think about the efficacy of nitrate dosing vs dosing aminos like Reef Energy.

Often, I find my tank bottoming out on N and P so I normally add it from KNO3 and Kh2PO4 that I use in my FW planted tank. However, I also dose reef energy. I find that the amino product does not meaningfully increase my NO3 or PO4 at the recommended dosages so I feel like they are insufficient for raising nutrients.

What are your thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Hemmdog]

Feed more frozen food, a lot more.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I would not rely on any amino acids to raise nitrates. They may add small amounts over time with daily doses but the point of aminos is to boost coral health. Nitrate dosing surely is a better way to raise nitrates. But I would start with feeding more in almost any situation.

 

[homer1475]

I used to have a nitrate problem. Went to feeding frozen exclusivly(LRS, pe calanus, pe mysis, rods, etc) twice a day a small chunk and my nitrates have slowly crept up to 2 ppm and maintain there.

 

[TexasReefer82]

It's my current understanding, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that having dissolved nitrate and phosphate in the water vs adding products like Reef energy (which contains lipids, vitamins, carbohydrates, and amino acids) accomplish different things for Coral. I think that Coral needs both and the presence of one won't mitigate the absence of the other.

It just so happens that products like Reef energy as well as fish food both ultimately break down into nitrates and phosphates. But I don't consider them equivalent in their original state.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wanted to learn what you guys think about the efficacy of nitrate dosing vs dosing aminos like Reef Energy.

Often, I find my tank bottoming out on N and P so I normally add it from KNO3 and Kh2PO4 that I use in my FW planted tank. However, I also dose reef energy. I find that the amino product does not meaningfully increase my NO3 or PO4 at the recommended dosages so I feel like they are insufficient for raising nutrients.

What are your thoughts? Experiences?

The amino acids are likely being used directly as the N source by some organisms. Add enough and nitrate will rise, but if nitrate is what you want, adding it directly seems to make sense to me.

 

[taricha]

It's my current understanding, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that having dissolved nitrate and phosphate in the water vs adding products like Reef energy (which contains lipids, vitamins, carbohydrates, and amino acids) accomplish different things for Coral. I think that Coral needs both and the presence of one won't mitigate the absence of the other.

It just so happens that products like Reef energy as well as fish food both ultimately break down into nitrates and phosphates. But I don't consider them equivalent in their original state.

I agree here. The form of N and organic C seems to matter. Different organisms have different uptake preferences. In some circumstances it might be clear that one form is better than another for particular organisms. But that gets complicated quick.
NO3 is sure easier to track, but it's only a slice of the nitrogen economy of a system.