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Hi,

My 23g/88L planted tank has a very low nitrate level (~5ppm) because it's quite understocked at the moment (I'm waiting for some fish). As a result, my plants are not growing as well as I'd hoped (I had to throw out the Ambulia b/c all the lower leaves turned brown). I've been trying to increase the nitrate level using Flourish Nitrogen (don't have access to KNO3 as it's hard to get here). I read on Chuck's Planted Aquarium pages that one should add nitrate gradually over a week, so I've been adding the recommended beginner's dose (1mL which should increase the nitrate level by about 1ppm) every day for the past week. The problem is every time I test, the nitrate level remains the same (<5ppm). Is it possible that the plants are using all the nitrate that I'm adding within a day? Also, would it be ok to increase the daily dosage (maybe 2mL) without any adverse effect on fish?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

-P

Up,

In all likelihood the plants are using the nitrates. Double the dosage and see if the nitrate measurements increase.

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

Yep. More. I chuck on up 10ppm at a time. Doesn't bother the fish at all.

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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.

Thanks, Bob & Bernard! I've increased the daily dosage of Flourish Nitrogen to 2mL, so we'll see what happens at the end of the week.

Another question if you don't mind - how much Phosphate should I add? So far I've only added 1mL of Flourish Phosphorus (which should increase the Phosphate level by 0.05ppm) once a week. Is that sufficient, or do I need to dose it more regularly? I don't have a phosphate test kit and don't plan to get one if I don't have to. I do see green spot algae on some leaves and some hair algae in between some of the plants if that makes a difference.

Thanks again.

-P

which should increase the Phosphate level by 0.05ppm

That's next to nothing !

Aim for 0.5ppm to 1.0ppm. A handy ratio is N03 : P04 = 10:1

The green spot would be an indicator of low phosphate.

Last edited by bensaf at 13-Sep-2005 01:22

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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.

Oops, I just realized I should have added 2.5mL (increasing Phosphate by 1.5ppm) instead of 1mL of Flourish Phosphorus. That's what happens when you try to read instructions in the dark.
Thanks for that, Bernard!

-P