Sucking Up Nitrates

[_Nemo_]

I decided to start a routine of controlling algae by limiting phosphates. I got me an accurate nitrate kit, some pharmaceutical grade KNO3 and KCl (for accuracy) and started dosing daily with SC flourish trace element mix. To control an outbreak of staghorn algae when I first started, I dosed alum to precipitate phosphates - it seemed to work.

The recommended nitrate level I've been trying to maintain is 5-10 ppm. To get there, I find that I have to dose about 5 ppm of nitrate (from KNO3) on a daily basis! I find this unsettling as I seem to be promoting hair algae.

Any comments / suggestions?

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I also dose an additional 3 ppm of K on a daily basis (from KCl)
and 1 mL of trace from SC Flourish
Light is about 3.7 watts/gallon

 

[Guest]

An imbalance of nutrients will cause a algae problem every time.

 

[betowess]

You will want to dose the nitrates, phosphates and potassium and GH (epsom and CC) per Rex's regimen to achieve that very important balance. Check out Plantex + Boron for traces (in addition to SC flourish) and all the dry ferts/chems at the PMDD store ... a great source. Its all on Rex's FAQ. HTH

 

[malkore]

I let my nitrates hit 20ppm before I do a water change, and phosphates are kept around 1ppm. I use flourish as a 2-3x a week trace dose, and supplemental iron of 2mL a few times a week.

I don't have algae problems aside from some on the glass, and a little here and there on leaves that are starting to die.

 

[TankGirl]

I let my nitrates hit 20ppm before I do a water change

Mine won't get there (a week after water changes I would still be at zero) unless I stretched out my water changes, but I am not willing to do it. I have to dose as well. After I move I will probably increase my fish load though, and that might help.