So, it's about 10 days now since the first plants went in the tank. And a few days since I've arranged the tank. Nitrates and phosphates have been at 0 ppm since the start. In the last few days I noticed that growth was slowing and a bit of hair algae and bga was starting to grow on the hairgrass. So I've started dosing ferts. Just nitrate and flourish (so far). I added enough KNO3 to bring the tank to 5ppm. I'm scared to add phosphate
ops: , but will bring the tank up a couple tenths ppm in the coming days (so long as the nitrate dosing goes ok). I also plan to dose K for the first time this weekend when I do a water change.
Here's a shot taken right after adding NO3 for the first time. I'm thoroughly documenting this, so you'll all be up to speed if my tank 'explodes'.
Ted