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Hi,
i can hold of some calcium nitrate which has 25% calcium in it and 15% nitrogen, would this be ok to raise my nitrate levels and i am buying it in a 25kg bag and want to no wat rate i would use
cheers tim

Tim,
Why are you trying to raise your nitrates? Your nitrates should rise naturally in a fully cycled aquarium.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Hi,
First, you probably do not want to use Calcium Nitrate
to raise your nitrate levels because the Calcium will
also raise your GH. Remember, GH is the measurement of
the hardness of the water and generally measures the
amount of Ca and Mg ions that are in solution.

As to why raise the nitrates? In a heavily planted tank,
especially one with 3+wpg, and CO2 injection, the plants
grow so fast that they generally strip the nitrates from
the water. This imbalance can lead to massive algae
growth and reduction in plant growth. Generally, you would
want to keep your nitrate readings between 5 and 10.

Folks usually use KNO3 (Stump Remover) obtained from the
local gardening store. Be sure it has no additives to
accelerate the destruction of the stumps or kill off
termites etc. You want straight stump remover. Here in
the states one of the products is called "Grant's Stump
Remover."

Before you add any at all, get a good reading of the
nitrate level in your tank. Do a water change of some
set amount (one that you will be repeating, say weekly).
Then allow the new water to mix throughly, and then do
another nitrate test. Add a SMALL amount, allow to mix
for a few hours, and then test again. Add more as necessary
and keep track of the total amount you have to add.
Repeat the same process for a couple of water changes,
and eventually, you will reach the point where you know
that IF you change out, say 10% of the tank, THEN you have
to add x amount of stump remover. After that, its just
routine. Change out 10% water, add x amt of stump remover.


Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

If I remember correctly, Eureka's tank is cycled but his nitrate levels are too low which leads to algae.

Now, I have never had that problem so didn't need to use anything like that, but I just wanted to point out that calcium will harden your water. It might not be a problem for you, but it's something you might need to think about.

Calcium Nitrate is definately not a good way to add Nitrate. The calcium will harden the water, and quite a bit too.

Also a 25kg back would last you, oh lets see, about 50 years !

Living here in Asia, finding stump remover was not an option. Had to find a chemical supplier and buy pure KNO3. That in itself was a problem as it's also a common ingredient in fireworks and bombs. I was getting some funny looks. Anyway ended up I had to buy a 25kg bag. Which I'm using at the rate of 1 teaspoon a week It will be here after I'm long gone. It will be my childrens inheritance I suspect.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.