Tom,

So you supplement with PO4? If so, what is your recommendation on how to do
this-- what is your PO4 source and how much do you add. Can sudden changes
in PO4 kill fish (like Nitrate changes can)?

My tank is generally void or close to void of phosphate by design, following
the recommendations of Sears, et. al. Sounds like you disagree with their
approach.. What is you feeling about their article that proposes keep all
things in abundance except for PO4 to control algae. (Do I have their idea
right?)

-Bruce Geist
" wrote in message
om...
"SlimFlem" wrote in message
t.net...
how do you guys add Nitrate to your tanks? what is the best way?

KNO3, potassium nitrate. Stump remover. I use Grant's or Cooke's
brand, most hardware, garden centers and home improvement places carry
it. Cost about 4-6$.

I add it dry using 1/4 teaspoon measurements.
This will add 6.3ppm of extra NO3 and about 4ppm of K+ to 35 gallons
of tank water per 1/4 level teaspoon.
This is accurate to at least 1ppm which is more accuracy than plant
tank owners certainly need.

Depending if your other nutrients are in good shape, uptake of NO3 is
up to 4-5ppm of NO3 per day in well run tanks. Most remove about
3-5ppm.
Limited tanks or tank with less than optimal conditions will remove
less.
I add it about every 3 days or so to keep the NO3 in the 2-10ppm
range.
It's okay to run it to zero but not more than one day.
Same concept applies to PO4, and traces.


Regards,
Tom Barr