Adding nitrates to substrate

[jerime]

Assuming I'd like to add nitrate to my substrate for additional fertilizing, would it cause any problem, such as being converted to nitrite and diffused to the water column?

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Adding nitrates to substrate

No, it will not form NO2 or NH4 unless the tank has soil or extremely heavy loading from fish waste, it will also diffuse out fairly fast, in a day or two.

The NO3 we add gets into the substrate also.
Some might be denitrified.

That's something I'll get at shortly in the coming month/s.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[jerime]

Re: Adding nitrates to substrate

Thanks tom. Waiting for your articles every month
If my tank does have soil in it, as you mentioned, what happens then? is there a way to avoid such problem (besides not fertilizing it ).
Thanks.

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Adding nitrates to substrate

Just leave the soil, try not to much things up when replanting.

It'll decompose(which is not a bad thing if it occurs slowly) and if you want, you can vacuum it out in stages(1/4 of the tank each weeks etc)

Regards,
Tom Barr