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how should i go about regementing a nutrient supply. i have seen several schedules that some people have for they're tanks but how should i start one. is there test for the specific nutrients? if there is how would i know what would be apropriate levels?

*click *flash *click "whered he go???"

I don't know for sure what your set up is like but you should look into this...

http://www.barrreport.com/articles/42-ei-light-those-less-techy-folks.html

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I second Wing's suggestion, with a side note:

Have a look at what Tom Barr is suggesting here (and peruse the publicly accessible articles on his site while you are at it). In the least you will learn a lot about nutrient components and ONE WAY of doing things. There are other ways as well, in particular when opting for a low tech tank. Nevertheless, knowing how it works is always good knowledge as one can then understand why it can work differently for different tanks.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

That's a good link Wings, with the dosing set out for various size tanks. I've saved that away now for future reference.

Cheers
TW

thanks for the help. any recommendations on which products?

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http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/store/categories.php For macros I use the dry stuff. For micros and Iron I use Seachem's flourish line.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

sodaaddict84,

Your tank is low tech and of medium light (at best) so not a lot needs to be added to the tank in the first place. It is always hard to recommend a regiment for any tank other than the ones you own and know (or at least you believe you know your tank, , which took me about 2 years and is still in the workings).

As you may know, I have a 29G with 65W (see the log in this forum for a "not-too-long" history). Here is what I dose:

After a 50% water change every other week, I add:
* 1/4tsp of KNO3
* 1/4tsp of K2SO4
* less than 1/16tsp of KH2PO4
* 10ml of Flourish Excel
The following day, I add:
* 7ml of Tropica Plant Nutrition

The ingredients of the first block are all from the site that Wings links to, the second block is a liquid purchased from Big Al's.

Again, this works for my tank, your's may require more or less or the same.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

thanks little fish, i think that has been the most helpful, becuase i want similar density of plants. and the concentration of ferts matches since we have the same size tank

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Okay, here is a question for Little_fish:

how on earth do you measure 1/16 of a tsp? I have to admit that I suffer from the urge to be precise and try to use molarity for calculation or amounts that use the metric system. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

1/16 tsp is what we like to call a "pinch" of, most likely, KH2PO4.

I like to be a little more precise, so I pre-dilute larger quantities into RO/DI water. Then measure ml by syringe. Chuck's aquatic plant calculator makes this all real easy for those of us that forgot chem 101 . This is only because I'm the critical fertilator. I micromanage, and I dose smaller amounts daily because it's easier for me that way. However, most don't care the exact amount of things because they do 50% water changes every week and know their tanks real well.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

catdancer,

Unlike Matty, I don't pre-dilute my ferts. Instead, I use the measuring spoons available at kitchen/cooking supply stores (I ordered the particular set online as no local store had it). I got a set that has a spoon for 1/16tsp for less than $10.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

ok i just paid for my vacation which is leaving me broke for a bit. which of these is essential? to at least hold me over for another week maybe two. i have some mardel stuff which is mostly trace elements. i was looking at the flourish. should i just get the small bottle until i can afford the rest

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