Quote:
Originally Posted by CmLaracy
So far with my setup, I've found great growth in all my plants (healthy and fast) with 0 algae (except a little bit of GSA on the glass), 0 NH4, and 0 NO2.
It's really been simple so far:
4wpg of Metal Halide
30-40ppm CO2
Aqua Soil of course
6-8mL of Potassium and Trace everyday in the form of Brighty K and Green Brighty Step 1
Absolutely no dosing of N or P
and 20% WC every other day from a well with a pH of 6.8 (*first month, everyday)
I've found no need at all to dose N or P, and I have a strong feeling that the Aquasoil takes care of it for me. All I need to dose is K and Trace.
For me, I think the largest contributor to my extremely low algae is the water changes. For the first month I did 20% WC's EVERYDAY and never saw a hint of algae during the almost non-existent Nitrogen cycle. My NH4 never went past 3ppm's and my NO2 never went past 1ppm. Never saw a hint of Diatoms, BBA, BGA ect ect. The water changes were always done right before or after the photoperiod, with dosings of K and Trace following directly after.
Keep in mind, 4wpg in a 40g 75p is a lot of light, and this is also my first tank... Maybe I got lucky, but I'm not really one to believe or rely on luck, I think this method has some validity to it when compared to Amano's low water column nutrients that were evident in his previous and current scapes. I hope this helps some, IME, a little bit of work goes a long way in this hobby. WC'S!!
Chris Laracy
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Very interesting....thanks for sharing. I set up a 15 gallon high Aquasoil II based expeimental tanks with plants that were in the most pathetic condition to begin with.
30-40 ppm c02
EI dosing(I reduced to 1/2 as per Tom Barr's recommendation but had no issues with full dosing of EI). I am using Yamato Green fertilizer for Trace Element dosing. And not to pi*s anyone off, but I just started dosing 1/8 teaspoon Seachem Equilibrium after weekly 50% water changes, just to take to the next level.
40 watt compact fluorescent lighting supplied by 2 20 watt coralmax corallife bulbs in a canopy sloppily padded with mylar sheeting.
50% weekly water changes
While too early to say as the tank has only been up since Dec 26 2007 and I know what I am doing goes against ADA recommendations and probably considered blamphesy by all you ADA Aquasoil hardcore loyalists, plant growth has tripled in that time, the floating cardamine, and riccia are pearling like there is no tomorrow, and I have yet to see any algae in any form: no diatoms, no blue green algae, no string or thread algae, no clado, no brush or beard algae.
Wood had one of the most beautiful 10 gallon tanks set up using the original Aquasoil. While he did not dose EI, he did dose phosphates, iron, and Kent Pro Plant(which I believes contains nitrates) with no issues. You can see his setup and judge for yourself. It was neglect that finally did his tank in. And neglect will do anyone in regardless of substrate and water column fertilization used.
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...n-planted.html
While I am not disputing the fact that you may not need to go with EI fertilization in a ADA Aquasoil based tank to see results, my issues are more with folks saying that you shouldn't do it as it will cause issues. Sorry, unless I do it and see issues for myself, I am not a believer that is why I am a tester.