Do I have lingering Osmocote

[pat w]

I've been trying to work out why my Red Ludwigia isn't red. At first I took the knee jerk responce and uped the Fe. It's at .75 ppm/day auto dosed on a constant drip as are KNO3 and KH2PO4.

Other ppm/day dosing rates are:
NO3 - 4.25
PO4 - 2 (Up from .75 to work on some GSA)
K - 4.32 (2.68 from the KNO3 and 1.64 from the KH2PO4)
Weekly water changes 50% for future reference may tap has little to no NO3

I read somewhere that high nitrates would reduce the red in plants so I made some ref. solutions and calibrated my API NO3 test kit. Standard two bottle test. The instructions call for 10 drops of each (agitating and timing as instructed ,of course) and I found that the correct drop count for "my" kit and the ref. sols. was 8/8. When I tested the tank I got a high reading >100. OK, check for all sources for decomposing bio matter, reduce feeding, water change, clean filters. Wait a couple of days; recheck ... still over 100. I know not really bad for fish, but why? OK then, ... I'll cheat ... 1 100ml bag of Purigen in each canister on a 80g water column. Wait 4 days ... still over 100.

Back in February when I set up the tank I laid down 60g of Osmocote.
(6 sq ft ... 10g/sg ft.)
Could that be the issue with the NO3? Cause if is I'm just chasing my tail till it burns off. Or should I still look for something else?

Pat

 

[Biollante]

Now What?

Hi Pat,

I think you may be chasing your tail, Ludwigia repens is so easily cross bred that there are endless variants, in my experience when they are red, they are red, high light, moderate light, even low light, high nitrates, low nitrates. :gw

I would expect that the Osmocote is still adding a bit to the substrate, but is likely pretty well expended.

http://dogs.icanhascheezburger.com/2009/06/22/funny-dog-pictures-caught-it/

Biollante

 

[pat w]

I would expect that the Osmocote is still adding a bit to the substrate, but is likely pretty well expended.


Biollante

Ok ... but I still want to know where the nitrates a coming from ... got more thinkin' to do.

{put fresh batterys in the smoke detector}

Pat

 

[Biollante]

Hmmm Test Kit?

Hi Pat,

I probably should know but what test kit and how calibrated.

Running Purigen should take out the organic N, so the dosing stuff is it unless you have some mass die-off taking place, but you get other indicators there.

I seriously doubt even new Osmocote in the substrate would account for that much N in the water column.

Best guess on my part unless there are missing dog, cats kids in the neighborhood, the test is defective.

Biollante

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hi Pat,

I am using Oscomote Plus for some time now and I never had an increase in nitrates levels. I keep goldfish and they poop a lot still, I am able to keep my nitrates around 30 with or without Osmocote. I use about 5gr/square foot as Tom recommends.

 

[pat w]

Hi Pat,

I probably should know but what test kit and how calibrated.

API's Nitrate test from their Freshwater Master Test
I used the method found HERE to make reference solutions. Then I played with the drop counts in the test till the test ran acurate for each solution. The instructions call for 10 drops from each of two bottles (with proper agitation and times observered) and I ended up with 8 drops on each. I hope that was clear.

Running Purigen should take out the organic N, so the dosing stuff is it unless you have some mass die-off taking place, but you get other indicators there.

I seriously doubt even new Osmocote in the substrate would account for that much N in the water column.

All critters live, well, and acounted for.

Best guess on my part unless there are missing dog, cats kids in the neighborhood, the test is defective.

I'll check with the animal shelter and missing persons.

Hi Pat,

I am using Oscomote Plus for some time now and I never had an increase in nitrates levels. I keep goldfish and they poop a lot still, I am able to keep my nitrates around 30 with or without Osmocote. I use about 5gr/square foot as Tom recommends.

OK it shouldn't be the Osmo. Maybe I mis-calculatred the KNO3 in the stock solution 87.5g in 1000ml dosed 24 ml/day into an 80gal water column. That's 2.1g/day for 4.25 ppm/day according to APC Fertilator.

I know I should just let it go, but it's bugging me.

Pat

 

[barbarossa4122]

I mix 80gr of KNO3 with 500ml water and dose about 16ml(8ppm) 3 times a week. It's enough in my case since my goldies produce some nitrates also.

 

[Biollante]

"Little Helpers"

Hi Pat,

I completely understand, being bugged...

For what it is worth you, or the Fertilator are correct... You are adding about 4.3-ppm or so each day.

If you have been running Purigen or activated charcoal that should eliminate the organic nitrates from the equation...

There is nothing inherently harmful to your critters from elevated nitrates...

Still that is odd... Do you have any “little helpers?”

Since I meant to post this 5 days ago...

Any update?

Biollante

 

[pat w]

"The Story of the Boy Who Cried Nitrates"

After a more carefull re-calibration of my test kit against my ref. solutions ... err ... uh ... well ...

... Allright ... I'm seeing between 10-20 ppm .. 'bout where I thought I should be since the water change last sunday.

Sorry for the false allarm ... thanks for the input.

Pat

 

[Biollante]

Mystery Solved

Hi Pat,

Glad to hear the mystery is solved...

Test and testing errors are a part of the measurement process... Being open enough to examine your process and learn from it, puts you ahead in the game!

I hope you and your family had a happy Thanksgiving. :gw

Biollante

 

[barbarossa4122]

My KNO3 solution is always cloudy. It is supposed to be cloudy or it should be clear? Btw, I buy my kno3 from AF.

Happy Thanksgiving !

 

[Biollante]

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the KNO3 is not cloudy all day.

My KNO3 solution is always cloudy. It is supposed to be cloudy or it should be clear? Btw, I buy my kno3 from AF.

Happy Thanksgiving !

Hi,

500ml solution of 80 g KNO3 in distilled water should be reasonably clear, it may have a tinge to it but certainly translucent enough to see through. It will appear “thicker” than water.

Biollante

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hi,

500ml solution of 80 g KNO3 in distilled water should be reasonably clear, it may have a tinge to it but certainly translucent enough to see through. It will appear “thicker” than water.

Biollante

Hi Bio,

Then I am OK. I can easily see through it. Thanks.

 

[Biollante]

Just Curious

Hi,

Good, it should not be white or white bits and stuff should not settle out.

Also based on your post #7, are you dosing 104-gallon water column?

Also not to get too technical but are you mixing the KNO3 first then bringing the volume to 500ml?

Biollante

 

[barbarossa4122]

Also based on your post #7, are you dosing 104-gallon water column?

I dose a 55g and according to the Fertilator I mix 80gr with 500ml h2o and dose 16ml/day for 8ppm/day.

Also not to get too technical but are you mixing the KNO3 first then bringing the volume to 500ml?

Nope, I drop the 80gr in 500ml h2o and then mix it real good.

Good, it should not be white or white bits and stuff should not settle out.

I always have some white stuff on the bottom of the bottle even after 2 weeks and I have to shake the bottle good before I dose. I don't know why it doesn't dissolve completely since 80gr of Kno3 should dissolve OK in 500ml distilled h2o. Am I doing something wrong Bio ?

 

[pat w]

I heat the water I use in the microwave to nearly boiling and then mix into a lesser amount, then add more water to bring it to the final volume. It dissolves completely with no residue. I'm mixing 87.5 grams into 1000ml but you should have no problems according to Chuck Gladds calculator till you get to the high side of 400 grams in 500ml unless you have other stuff in there, too. The heat is the key.

Pat

 

[barbarossa4122]

Here are two pics of the kno3 solution after I shook the bottle. I made this about 9 days ago.

 

[barbarossa4122]

I heat the water I use in the microwave to nearly boiling and then mix into a lesser amount, then add more water to bring it to the final volume. It dissolves completely with no residue. I'm mixing 87.5 grams into 1000ml but you should have no problems according to Chuck Gladds calculator till you get to the high side of 400 grams in 500ml unless you have other stuff in there, too. The heat is the key.

Pat

OK, then I'll do that. No other stuff in the bottle just kno3. Can I heat all the water and then mix in the kno3? Thank you.

 

[pat w]

Yeah, a little heat ought to clear that right up.

Pat

 

[pat w]

Playing a little game of post tag

You could try heating what you have. It should work.

Pat