Amino acetic acid...aka glycine

Mikez1207 · 04/25/2012, 08:29 AM

Hey guys I heard somewhere that amino acids are good for corals...well I got an endless supply of this glycine (amino acetic acid) was just woundering if this is something I can use...its food grade

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/25/2012, 09:31 AM

You could use it, yes.

It isn't the amino acid I'd be most interested in, and most commercial reef additives are cocktails of many amino acids (usually identity and concentrations unknown), but if you have a ULNS system, it might be worth trying.

disc1 · 04/25/2012, 11:02 AM

I really wouldn't expect glycine, the simplest of all amino acids, is going to be something your tank is limited on. It mostly the larger aminos that are being added to tanks.

Glycine might be a decent carbon source for bacteria, but I'd expect vinegar to be much cheaper.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Mikez1207 · 04/25/2012, 11:04 AM

I was hoping to here from you..since you seem like the right and all...now as far ULNS system...to b honest no idea wat that is...now for the other part what good is amino acid dosing really do for a reef tank..

Mikez1207 · 04/25/2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disc1

I really wouldn't expect glycine, the simplest of all amino acids, is going to be something your tank is limited on. It mostly the larger aminos that are being added to tanks.

Glycine might be a decent carbon source for bacteria, but I'd expect vinegar to be much cheaper.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

well not really worried about cost...i get it from work so thats y I say I have an endless supply

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/25/2012, 01:26 PM

ULNS means ultra low nutrient system. So super low nitrate and phosphate, depriving corals and such of nutrients, often turning them more colorful as zoox levels in the corals decline.

That seems to be the situation where amino acids are useful.

Mikez1207 · 04/25/2012, 06:39 PM

Mmm ok I think I got it...so if I have low nitrate and phosphate glycine would help get rid of them allowing corals to get more of wat they need???

bertoni · 04/25/2012, 08:51 PM

Glycine will help with fixed nitrogen, but I don't think it has any phosphorus in it.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 04/26/2012, 04:56 AM

Unless it is used in the tablet formation process, glycine shouldn't have any phosphorus. It will say on the label if it does.

Mikez1207 · 04/26/2012, 05:10 AM

Ok got it...now ill check bag

04/25/2012, 08:29 AM	#1
Mikez1207 MrReef 101 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 378	Amino acetic acid...aka glycine Hey guys I heard somewhere that amino acids are good for corals...well I got an endless supply of this glycine (amino acetic acid) was just woundering if this is something I can use...its food grade Last edited by Mikez1207; 04/25/2012 at 08:39 AM.

04/25/2012, 09:31 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You could use it, yes. It isn't the amino acid I'd be most interested in, and most commercial reef additives are cocktails of many amino acids (usually identity and concentrations unknown), but if you have a ULNS system, it might be worth trying. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/25/2012, 11:02 AM	#3
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	I really wouldn't expect glycine, the simplest of all amino acids, is going to be something your tank is limited on. It mostly the larger aminos that are being added to tanks. Glycine might be a decent carbon source for bacteria, but I'd expect vinegar to be much cheaper. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

04/25/2012, 01:26 PM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	ULNS means ultra low nutrient system. So super low nitrate and phosphate, depriving corals and such of nutrients, often turning them more colorful as zoox levels in the corals decline. That seems to be the situation where amino acids are useful. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/25/2012, 08:51 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Glycine will help with fixed nitrogen, but I don't think it has any phosphorus in it. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/25/2012, 11:04 AM	#4
Mikez1207 MrReef 101 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 378	I was hoping to here from you..since you seem like the right and all...now as far ULNS system...to b honest no idea wat that is...now for the other part what good is amino acid dosing really do for a reef tank..

04/25/2012, 06:39 PM	#7
Mikez1207 MrReef 101 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 378	Mmm ok I think I got it...so if I have low nitrate and phosphate glycine would help get rid of them allowing corals to get more of wat they need???

04/26/2012, 04:56 AM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Unless it is used in the tablet formation process, glycine shouldn't have any phosphorus. It will say on the label if it does. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

04/26/2012, 05:10 AM	#10
Mikez1207 MrReef 101 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 378	Ok got it...now ill check bag __________________ 5G pico mix Current Tank Info: Growing