Rate of Nutrient Uptake in Starved Plants

[BenB]

Fancy title just to try to help me figure out why my levels seemed weird.
I tested my tank. (Salifert) NO3 was 0 PO4 was 0
I dosed what should have given me about 6ppm NO3 and 1.5ppm PO4. Two hours later results were 1ppm NO3 and 0.5PPM PO4.
Yes, I know tests aren't super accurate etc, but clearly there was almost no color change in the NO3 from before and after dosing.

If plants are starved, will they suck nutrients out of the water that fast?

 

[Art]

Hi @BenB - just some initial thoughts.

1. Double check expiration date on the test kits.
2. Use a standard solution to test your kits - I use a cup of water that I mix up to a ppm level and then test for accuracy.
3. What substrate do you have? Substrates can bind nutrients.
4. How did you dose? If dry dosing, are you sure they fully dissolved? Unlikely with NO3 and PO4.

 

[BenB]

Hi @BenB - just some initial thoughts.

1. Double check expiration date on the test kits.
2. Use a standard solution to test your kits - I use a cup of water that I mix up to a ppm level and then test for accuracy.
3. What substrate do you have? Substrates can bind nutrients.
4. How did you dose? If dry dosing, are you sure they fully dissolved? Unlikely with NO3 and PO4.

Yeah, got all those covered. Thanks for the ideas though.

 

[Burr740]

If plants are starved, will they suck nutrients out of the water that fast?

No quantifiable data but Ive seen pale plants get their color back unbelievably fast after a dose of NO3 or Fe, like within an hour. Ive had mermaid Weed completely change color in 30 minutes. So Id say its entirely possible

 

[BenB]

Ive had mermaid Weed completely change color in 30 minutes. So Id say its entirely possible

I have to laugh because I thought, my P helferi looks darker already. Then I thought, naahhh... can't be.

 

[Burr740]

I have to laugh because I thought, my P helferi looks darker already. Then I thought, naahhh... can't be.

Haha, believe it!