Have some fun add some nitrate

[cybervic]

http://www.xs4all.nl/~buddendo/aquarium/redfield_eng.htm

I came accross the above link on RC. Makes sense to me. Have anyone ever tried it to get rid of nuisance algae?

 

[palmerc]

This is only to get rid of cyano in freshwater aquaria (that are planted). In marine aquaria the excess nitrates would aid the growth of hair algae, and also be not so good for corals etc.

 

[KevinW]

Is this not for fresh water aquaria? If so is it applicable to marine, especially SPS, systems?

 

[KevinW]

Sorry Palmerc - your post went through whilst I was writing!

 

[Bob the (reef)builder]

This is for freshwater but there is use for the redfield ratio and adding Nitrates to marine tanks, if growing bacterial colonies to rermove PO4 for instance. I have used it very succesfully in reducing PO4.

Do not however try this or feeding bacteria without careful research.

 

[palmerc]

This is for freshwater but there is use for the redfield ratio and adding Nitrates to marine tanks, if growing bacterial colonies to rermove PO4 for instance. I have used it very succesfully in reducing PO4.

Do not however try this or feeding bacteria without careful research.

Agree, the theory will work but people should pay heed to your warning.

In essence what you are doing is adding an excess of nitrate relative to phosphates so that the phosphates become the limiting nutrient for growth.

My main problem with thsi is "how do you know when to stop dosing nitrate?" because if the source of the phospate has not been dealt with, the problem will just recur as soon as the nitrate dosing has stopped.

 

[Bob the (reef)builder]

This technique would not be a quick fix it, it dosn't work like that. Its an ongoing part of your maintenance program only dosing NO3 if it is clearly 0 and limiting.

Its something that might replace PO4 removers, never the need to ensure minimal PO4 inputs.

 

[Mekaeel]

so basically what is the highest you want you nitrate to go up to?

 

[Bob the (reef)builder]

Maybe 5ppm. This has generally been done with the dosage of a Carbon such as in the Zeovit or Vodka methods.

While a low Nitrate reading is unlikely to do harm, it may worsen any potential algae bloom, so don't go jumping into this without full research on the methods in RC or somewhere.