steer me

[devocole]

I'm setting up a great 36*18*18. I've got virtually everything i need but a fertilization regime. Could someone point me to a resource that would cover the different approaches etc.
Thanks

[John N.]

That's a great sized tank.

This past issue we covered the Estimative Index Fertilization Method to get you started. If you're just starting out this method could be one of the easiest ones to follow.

-John N.

[devocole]

thanks john, i did read that article already. It seems to me there are afew different methods of fertilization. The only thing i don't like about EI is the 50% water change. It feels like such a waste of water every week. I"m also dabbling with the idea of mineralized soil, so less doseing is required. I haven't been able to make a confident decision about substrate or ferts yet.

[goalcreas]

Check out this if you don't want to do the weekly water changes

PPS Perpetual Preservation Systems - Science of Aquatic Fertilizing - Aquatic Plant Central

HTH

And

[John N.]

Although EI recommends 50% flushing of the system, as you get some experience under your wing, you'll soon learn how to adjust and fertilize without overdoing it.

But the PPS-Pro method might be what you're looking for instead. These two are the most common methods.

Another alternative is simply to go with the pfertz - aquarium fertilizers products and dosing according to the directions there. They have developed something that is pretty close to PPS Pro, and similar to the ADA products. Pump a few times, and your done. No thinking involved.

-John N.

[goalcreas]

OH yes, I would actually recommend the Pfertz over these if you don't mind spending the money and don't want to try to figure this stuff out, I use them and used to dose Dry, but not really any more.

It helps that they were developed by a core individual in AAPE so I get them for Cough, Cough, a good price, Cough, Cough
But I love them and man do they make it easy.

[waterfaller1]

This is what I use~ Plant Dosage Chart

[devocole]

Thanks everyone for sending you input my way. I've decided to try and dose dry ferts the EI way. I'm not getting my planted 50 gallon up and running till september (lots of travelling) so i'm going to experiment on my 6 gallon. I got sour cream containers of every thing i need for 20 bucks, and a new grow bulb from the local hydroponics store. I'll see if i can make it successful. Right now i've only been useing iron supplements and fluorish excel. So thats what i'm going to try
KNO3, K2SO4, KH2PO4, trace, and Flourish Excel
Thanks everyone.

[devocole]

All the links that you guys sent were great resources and i've bookmarked them all.

[devocole]

although its going to be interesting figuring out how to measure out 1/64 of a teaspoon, lol for the 6 gallon

[goalcreas]

What you do is get distilled water and make up solutions.
do the math from the charts and calculators so that you would make the solution so you need to dose 1ml or 5ml of it into the tank each time.

There is the fertilator which will be a great help for this. Aquatic Plant Central

or chucks aquatic calculator
Chuck's Planted Aquarium Calculator for Windows
will also be help for this.

Don't try to measure out the tiny amounts of dry ferts every time you are dosing.

You can get the twin neck bottles like the Tropica fert bottles so you can mix it in there, measure in the pour neck and dose or some pump bottles that dispense 1ml per pump so you know the measurement, or some water bottles and eye droppers that have ml's marked on them.

Lots of ways to get creative with this.

[devocole]

Cool great ideas. This is what i decided to do. This is the info for ei that i'm useing. For a 10-20gallon:
3x week ....................Monthly amount .....................Monthly Halved for 6 gallon
1/8 KNO3 ..................12/8 .....................................3/4 tsp
1/32 KH2PO4 .............12/32 ..................................~1/5 tsp
1/32 K2SO4 ...............12/32 ...................................~1/5 tsp
1/32 Traces ...............12/32 ...................................~1/5 tsp

I saw small pump bottles at the dollar store today. Buy them. Find out how much a pump is. Put a months worth of pumps in, at each fertilizer. And have enough for about a month.
Since i only have 13 watts (but a true grow bulb) i should do less then more anyways.
I'm also going to have to do a bit of research on how much flourish will be needed now.
Thanks
Shouldn't be too bad