Adding Nitrate

kaslkaos · 03-10-2004, 11:24 AM

My nitrate readings are always 0, so I want to add Potassium Nitrate. I've downloaded Tom Barr's Aquarium Calculator, and now have a solution of 5 tsps to 250 ml of water. The calculator estimates that 1 ml of this solution will add .9 ppm nitrate to my 20 gallon tank. Does this sound about right? As of last night, the nitrate powder hadn't all dissolved yet, so I put it aside.
Any suggestions? The chemicals were cheap (from a hydroponics store) so I don't mind tossing and making up a new solution.

geoffs · 03-10-2004, 01:30 PM

I had the same problem. The amount of chemical that can dissolve in a given amount of water varies according to the chemical, temperature of water, etc...

The solution (bad pun) is simple - pour out your mixed 250 ml into a larger container and add another 250 ml of plain water. Shake, and all of your 5 tsps of KNO3 should dissolve. Now, either store all 500ml in the larger container or split into 2 smaller containers, as you like.

When you dose, remember that you will be dosing at 1/2 the original strength, or .45ppm, so you'll have to dose twice as much.

Geoff

Rolo · 03-11-2004, 05:01 PM

Don't use tap water. Buy some distilled or RO or Di water.

Rolo · 03-12-2004, 09:52 PM

I agree with otherwise, dry dose is better; It takes out all the complications of getting the proper solution conc. and proper amount each time.

Plus Chuck Gadd's calculator is kind of inaccurate. It says to mix X amount of a particular compound with 250mL of water. The correct way to mix solutions is to add water until we get 250ml of solution. By doing it the first way, the concentration is actually smaller.

BTW, whats with the 1/2 white cloud?

03-10-2004, 11:24 AM	#1
kaslkaos Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Stouffville Ontario Canada Posts: 21	My nitrate readings are always 0, so I want to add Potassium Nitrate. I've downloaded Tom Barr's Aquarium Calculator, and now have a solution of 5 tsps to 250 ml of water. The calculator estimates that 1 ml of this solution will add .9 ppm nitrate to my 20 gallon tank. Does this sound about right? As of last night, the nitrate powder hadn't all dissolved yet, so I put it aside. Any suggestions? The chemicals were cheap (from a hydroponics store) so I don't mind tossing and making up a new solution. __________________ 29 gal, 60 watts, platys, zebras http://www.kaslkaos.blogspot.com

03-11-2004, 05:01 PM	#3
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,716	Don't use tap water. Buy some distilled or RO or Di water. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
adding potassium nitrate	stan	Fertilizers and Water Parameters	4	03-24-2004 03:38 PM
need help with my nitrate tests - very confused?	lgerold	General Planted Tank Discussion	4	02-16-2004 01:15 PM
nitrate test results with seachem nitrogen	mr hyde	Fertilizers and Water Parameters	9	01-29-2004 06:41 PM
Adding Nitrate (kno3)	ken6217	General Planted Tank Discussion	2	01-20-2004 02:53 PM
Just started adding nitrate and phosphate	ken6217	General Planted Tank Discussion	1	01-09-2004 01:29 PM

03-10-2004, 01:30 PM	#2
geoffs Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 20	I had the same problem. The amount of chemical that can dissolve in a given amount of water varies according to the chemical, temperature of water, etc... The solution (bad pun) is simple - pour out your mixed 250 ml into a larger container and add another 250 ml of plain water. Shake, and all of your 5 tsps of KNO3 should dissolve. Now, either store all 500ml in the larger container or split into 2 smaller containers, as you like. When you dose, remember that you will be dosing at 1/2 the original strength, or .45ppm, so you'll have to dose twice as much. Geoff

03-12-2004, 09:52 PM	#4
Rolo Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 1,716	I agree with otherwise, dry dose is better; It takes out all the complications of getting the proper solution conc. and proper amount each time. Plus Chuck Gadd's calculator is kind of inaccurate. It says to mix X amount of a particular compound with 250mL of water. The correct way to mix solutions is to add water until we get 250ml of solution. By doing it the first way, the concentration is actually smaller. BTW, whats with the 1/2 white cloud?