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I'm finally thinking of doing the Estimative Index for planting because I'm finally getting more light over my tank.

Here's the ferts I have on hand:

KNO3(stump remover)

K2PO4(from greg watson)

K2SO4(from greg watson)

Kent freshwater plant:
3% K2O
.00001% Cu
.24% Fe chelate
.01% Mn
.0009% Mo
.00014%Zn

Try to keep in mind that I really do have 1-2 ppm of PO4 in the tap water.

Otherwise, are there any other ferts I need, and how often and how much of everything for a 38G fully planted, soon to have 130W PC lighting over it, CO2 injection at around 30ppm.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hm,

Let’s see what I have to offer :

Will you do the 50% water change per week routine? – I guess yes
Do you have a phosphate measuring kit? – I guess yes

Ok, then:

I would say for the K2PO4: Only add if your concentration falls below 1ppm at least 2 days before the next water change. Then, it depends when it falls and by how much.

I would say for the K2SO4: Only add if you don’t add K2PO4, K should be the same than NO3 (in ppm), will talk about the amount later.

I would say for the KNO3: Add daily in the mornings to raise your NO3 by about 3 to 4 ppm, will talk about the amount later.

About your traces: I am not very good at trace evaluation (amount and which ones are really needed) but I would dose so that Iron is at about 0.1ppm. Dose daily at nighttime.

What is your KH and GH? (For Baking Soda and Seachem Equilibrium additions, if needed)

Do you know Chuck Gadd’s desktop fert calculator? There you can enter dry fert quantities to see by how much a certain spoon size raises your concentration in ppm.

I currently dose macros and micros at a 2 day interval, with macros one day and micros the other, 3 times a week.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 28-Nov-2005 11:07

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Otherwise, are there any other ferts I need, and how often and how much of everything for a 38G fully planted, soon to have 130W PC lighting over it, CO2 injection at around 30ppm.

I'd add:
1/4 teaspoon KNO3 every other day
1/16th of the KH2PO4 same time as the KNO3
Traces: 8mls 3x a week
Add a little MgSO4(epsom salt) if the Gh is 3 or higher.

I like Tropica master grow(TMG) for traces.
Big Al's sells it pretty cheap in 5 liter amounts.

50% or more weekly water change
CO2 will be the main issue from here on.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Wow,

Mister EI gives you the numbers directly, I am impressed.

Well, can't get any better than that .

Ingo

EDIT: But I have a question about this dosing setup. If there is already 2ppm of Phosphates in the tab, should he (and actually me as well) add the suggested dose anyways?

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 28-Nov-2005 13:49

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I'd add:
1/4 teaspoon KNO3 every other day
1/16th of the KH2PO4 same time as the KNO3
Traces: 8mls 3x a week
Add a little MgSO4(epsom salt) if the Gh is 3 or higher.

I like Tropica master grow(TMG) for traces.
Big Al's sells it pretty cheap in 5 liter amounts.

50% or more weekly water change
CO2 will be the main issue from here on.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Thank you very much. Ok, I'll start this regimen when I get the new lighting. I think that's definitely a lot(especially the traces), but I guess the water changes should keep it in check...and the plants will too, obviously. I guess everybody always goes through this nervousness about dosing all that.

I'm going to stick with the kent's stuff because I can get it super cheap at work, maybe I can see if my boss can order in the TMG.

Mister EI gives you the numbers directly, I am impressed.

You were very helpful too Ingo.

EDIT: But I have a question about this dosing setup. If there is already 2ppm of Phosphates in the tab, should he (and actually me as well) add the suggested dose anyways?

I'm a bit worried about that too...maybe I'll dose lightly at first.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Would algae or plants really care if the PO4 was 2 versus 3 ppm?

No.

Would the al;gae care if the CO2 was 10ppm vs 30ppm?
Probaly.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Thanks Tom,

I guess I am still hung up on the Krib discussions, in particular the Sears-Conlin Paper where phosphate levels over 1ppm are the algae's best friend (at least that was how I interpreted it).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Sears Conlin paper was written way back in 1998 or something.Lot's changed since then Ingo - we both had hair for starters

The Krib is still a great resource but woefully out of date. You can find discussions on miracle new plants hardly anybody can go hold of - like Glosso !!!!!

Last edited by bensaf at 29-Nov-2005 07:53

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Yeah Bensaf,

I am an old fashioned kinda guy . Sure do miss the hair .

Yeah I know, you and I discussed the Phosphate issue before but I have to tell you that the paper had a major impact on me. Maybe it also has something to do that liquid ferts of type Phosphorus (Kent or Flourish) have that label “only for the experienced aquarist” to it (not on it I think) and that gave me such a respect (fear) for this macro nutrient.

Thanks,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

“only for the experienced aquarist”

That would be a "fish master" would it not ?!?!

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Hey Bensaf,

Only 100 additional posts and you can be one too

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club