Amino acids and nutrients

[asylumdown]

Can amino acids act as a replacement for dissolved simple nutrients like N and P in a tank?

I fear I've driven nutrients too low again in my fight against cyano bacteria. I've never dosed amino acids but I've had a bottle from Fauna Marin sitting in my garage for a few months so was thinking I'd start dosing them, but not sure if that's actually a real way to compensate.

[Werbo]

AA's are a source of nitrogen (nitrate). Very little if any PO4.

[Jakegr]

Algae and coral can take up amino acids directly as a source of N, just like they can with NO3 and NH4.

Amino acids can contain phosphorus, so it would depend on which amino acids are in the supplement. I'd guess it isn't a major source of phosphorus however as most amino acids are phosphorus free.

[asylumdown]

Well I'm starting at half the recommended daily dose, so hopefully it doesn't cause any problems at least

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by asylumdown

Well I'm starting at half the recommended daily dose, so hopefully it doesn't cause any problems at least

I would say start at 1/3rd...aminos are strong stuff to put in the tank.