Dosing - getting it right

yorkie73 · 10-31-2009, 06:26 PM

I intend to start using dried ferts to dose my aquarium. I have purchased the micro nutrients but havn't started using yet. I know I will have to buy some dried macro nutrients as well. Since adding plants several months ago, the phosphate and nitrate readings are almost zero and the tank has started struggling with hair algae. What are the main macros I will need to get a good balance for a 55 gallon freshwater?

Philosophos · 10-31-2009, 06:34 PM

KNO3, KH2PO4, K2SO4. You might as well check your water quality report while you're at it; some people get a good portion of their NO3 or PO4 this way. It may also turn out that you need Mg or Ca.

-Philosophos

yorkie73 · 10-31-2009, 07:52 PM

Thanks for your reply. The tap water in my area is soft and quite low in both phosphate and nitrate.

Left C · 10-31-2009, 11:57 PM

You may want to get some of Seachem's Equilibrium or a GH Booster since your water is soft. These add Ca, Mg, K, and some also add Mn and Fe.
http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...uilibrium.html
http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/ferts.html
http://aquariumfertilizer.com/
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/aq...ertilizer.html

Some dosing plans don't include K2SO4 because you may get enough K from KNO3 and some K from the GH Booster. I've found that I need to add K2SO4 sometimes.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fe...-regimes_.html
http://www.barrreport.com/estimative...chy-folks.html

10-31-2009, 06:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
yorkie73 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 7	Dosing - getting it right I intend to start using dried ferts to dose my aquarium. I have purchased the micro nutrients but havn't started using yet. I know I will have to buy some dried macro nutrients as well. Since adding plants several months ago, the phosphate and nitrate readings are almost zero and the tank has started struggling with hair algae. What are the main macros I will need to get a good balance for a 55 gallon freshwater?

10-31-2009, 11:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Left C Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (18/100%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Burlington, NC Posts: 4,847	You may want to get some of Seachem's Equilibrium or a GH Booster since your water is soft. These add Ca, Mg, K, and some also add Mn and Fe. http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...uilibrium.html http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/ferts.html http://aquariumfertilizer.com/ http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/aq...ertilizer.html Some dosing plans don't include K2SO4 because you may get enough K from KNO3 and some K from the GH Booster. I've found that I need to add K2SO4 sometimes. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fe...-regimes_.html http://www.barrreport.com/estimative...chy-folks.html __________________ EHEIM PIMP #164 Classic 2011, Classic 2213, Classic 2217, ECCO 2236, Pro II 2028, Liberty 2040, Liberty 2042 VICTOR PIMP #1 VTS253A-1993, VTS250B-580, VTS253D-320, HPT500-40-350-4M, SGT500-40-4F-DK

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10-31-2009, 06:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Philosophos Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2009 Location: ID Posts: 175	KNO3, KH2PO4, K2SO4. You might as well check your water quality report while you're at it; some people get a good portion of their NO3 or PO4 this way. It may also turn out that you need Mg or Ca. -Philosophos

10-31-2009, 07:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
yorkie73 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 7	Thanks for your reply. The tap water in my area is soft and quite low in both phosphate and nitrate.

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