[MsGoldyM]

Hi all, need help with a potassium issue. I have really high potassium levels (JBL +30 indicated) however I have low nitrates (JBL 10mg/ppm). Obviously in trying to dose for nitrate (using Seachem nitrogen) I’m getting a lot of potassium left over which doesn’t seem to fluctuate.
Is there a way to dose ammonium nitrate?
Thanks!

 

[en7jos]

Do you by any chance use Equlibrium to remineralise your water change water? It's a huge source of potassium, way more than Seachem Nitrogen, in case you weren't aware.

 

[Deanna]

Your NO3 and K readings aren't unusual or bad. In fact, I'd say they are quite typical.

Although you can dose ammonium nitrate, I would be very careful in doing so. Make sure you monitor total ammonia levels very carefully. The ammonium will turn into deadly ammonia as your pH rises above 7.0. It is usually better to avoid this unless you are very comfortable/experienced with ammonia issues. Urea is much safer in this regard.

You can also use calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, balancing the Ca:Mg ratio to suit your needs.

 

[MsGoldyM]

Do you by any chance use Equlibrium to remineralise your water change water? It's a huge source of potassium, way more than Seachem Nitrogen, in case you weren't aware.

Thanks for the reply. I’m not using equilibrium for that exact reason, thanks though!

 

[monkeyruler90]

Look at your local water report that gets published and see if you can spot anything unusual or if they report on K levels.

have you tested your tap water for K before adding to tank?

how is your tank stocked? heavy with fish, I'd probably say light with low nitrates.
how is your tank planted? fast growers or slow stuff?

 

[MsGoldyM]

Hi there, thanks for the reply. Well the parameters aren’t quite what I want in terms of combatting string and green algae in combo with low nitrates. In my experience high potassium will combine with other factors to produce such algae. Other tanks aren’t an issue because they are live stocked but this one is predominantly plants.
I’m ideally looking for what others use in terms of ferts that aren’t all pointing the potassium stick.

I use RO water, Aquavitro Mineralis e for GH, Seachem acid buffer, Bicarbonate for KH/PH Seachem nitrogen, Aquavitro propel (phos) Aquavitro activate (Fe) and Aquavitro Envy (supplement 2 per month with micro copper/boron etc)
PH - Co2 controlled 6.7-6.9
KH 5.
GH 5
Nitrate 10
Potassium 30+
Phosphate 0.3 ppm
Chihiros WRGB 2

Only issue I’m having is random string algae and cladophora sp. and it’s really giving me the $hits.

Figured I could do a few things different (apart from dry dosing) just don’t know what!

 

[MsGoldyM]

Thanks for your reply 😊
I use RO for the reasons you mentioned. Got sick of random parameters! 50l Tank is stocked lightly with some blue eyes, rhads, ottos and pigmy corys. Oase canister with internal bio’s (converted Fluval EVO tank)