Diluting Ca Nitrate for stock concentration and adding to tank, aka Reef Chem for Dummies

[JoJosReef]

Hi all, just want to check calculations to make sure I don't ruin my tank by adding a billion ppm NO3. Do you mind checking my math?

I have this for dosing nitrates into the tank:

If I'm running a 40gal tank that probably has ~30gal of water in it = ~115L of water, and I want to dose about 1mL of aqueous Ca Nitrate to get ~5ppm added to the tank, then I will need a stock solution that I can dilute at 1:115,000 to get at 5ppm (roughly. I understand ppm in RODI is different than ppm in saltwater). Therefore, 5ppm * 115,000 = 575,000 ppm stock.

To make 575K ppm stock solution, assuming RODI at 1L = 1Kg, I would need 575,000 /1,000,000 = 0.575 kg = 575 g Ca Nitrate in 1 kg total mass = 575 g Ca Nitrate + 425 mL (=424 g) RODI.

That don't sound right. Would that even go into solution? What concentration is NeoNitro, even?

One thing's for sure. I'm not touching this stuff until I re-learn how to do stoichiometry. Any help very much appreciated. My tank and I thank you!

 

[gbroadbridge]

Easiest thing to do is use this calculator.

Just use the Potassium Nitrate calculation - it's pretty close to calcium nitrate.

James' Planted Tank - Dosing Calculator

www.theplantedtank.co.uk

 

[gbroadbridge]

So if you mix 93g CaNO3 in 1000ml RODI

Adding 10ml will add 5ppm Nitrate.

 

[Makara23]

I use to use also use calcium nitrate from Loudwolf to dose nitrates, but now I've switched to dosing low concentrations of ammonia instead. Ammonia might be a better form of N than nitrate.