Waiting to dose Nitrates

[NstyN8 at aol_com]

> Why is it recommended that you add nitrates the day after a water change?  
I> remember being told to add everything else the same day but the nitrates 
the> following day.> > Daphne in Atlanta

**Mainly to drive them low as possible before adding NO3 back.If the NO3 goes 
near zero for a day or less that's fine.Just not longer.The idea behind this 
is simple.Adding all the PO4, K, CO2 etc from fresh tap water, dosing etc 
drives thisNO3 very low. It purges your tank of NO3.Then the plants really go 
after the NH4 if there's any.The next day you lift this limiting nutrient and 
the plants are not stuntedat all but your tank is nice a clean and the algae 
really seem to hate thispattern.The NH4 may be the reason, the water change 
itself etc. Not sure why but itdoes seem to work. Gives a better starting 
point and estimation for whatyour tank's NO3 will be as you dose 2-3x a week 
with KNO3.
Regards, Tom Barr   

 I'm keeping my Nitrates at about 10-20 ppm (I'm bad at determining color 
shades).
Dropping down to the zero mark, then increasing the nitrates.....Will this be 
too shocking for the fish?How fast should I increase my nitrates?Should this 
be done gradually, reaching the desired nitrate range (peaking) at the end of 
the week (next water change)?Or, should I dose my nitrates using 1 dose 24hrs 
after the water change?

Thank you
Neight Goetz