Is EI dosing of chelated trace safe for sensitive inverts?

[Mr. Fish]

Yes true this is what EI is all about but at the same time balance is the key not just dumping ferts in at any measure. Right? whatever your plants don't use algae will.

[elwray]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

Yes true this is what EI is all about but at the same time balance is the key not just dumping ferts in at any measure. Right? whatever your plants don't use algae will.

I'll admit, I am not very knowledgeable in the field of aquatic biology. What I've learned regarding the EI dosing method was from online sources, particularly this forum as well as Tom Barr's information here.

According to him, algae blooms are not caused by excesses, but rather by deficiencies. If you haven't read that post regarding the background of the EI method and its development, you really should - it's very interesting!

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

Yes true this is what EI is all about but at the same time balance is the key not just dumping ferts in at any measure. Right? whatever your plants don't use algae will.

Yes, and then No to the last part.

[plantbrain]

Also, see the local CA post for selling 300 fire shrimp(this is about 1-2x a month)

With CRS SSS grades and breeding specifically for max brood, reducing the frequency of water changes, no CO2/Excel dosing etc.........non CO2, emergent growth floating species is a much better method. They will still breed well in EI CO2 enriched tanks, but dosing ferts has virtually no observed impact on high grade CRS's I've seen.

Poor genetic lines(inbreeding way too much without developing separate lines and having good stock) and rush to sell them on the market seems to be more the problem, not ferts or picky water conditions.

This is true for dog and cat breeds and fish etc.

Not just shrimp.

[Mr. Fish]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

Yes, and then No to the last part.

Please explain Tom

[Matt1892]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

Please explain Tom

I believe he means that their needs to be excess of certain nutrients and deficiencies of others for algae blooms to occur. Hence yes and no.

[Aquaticfan]

If you look at specific algae there is normally a cause. But not due to, to many nutrients. Plants are very efficient in the correct condition and can take in the nutrients better/faster then algae. Algae is an opportunist of specific conditions. In the case of green spot algae its probably a co2 and lack of phosphates. In BGA its a lack of nitrates. In BBA its a lack or inconsistent levels of co2 all of them along with those issues also probably involve lighting issues as well. The number one key issues for most algae I belive is co2 and light. Not nutrients being in abundance.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

Please explain Tom

Yes to the 1st question, no to the second.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Aquaticfan

If you look at specific algae there is normally a cause. But not due to, to many nutrients. Plants are very efficient in the correct condition and can take in the nutrients better/faster then algae. Algae is an opportunist of specific conditions. In the case of green spot algae its probably a co2 and lack of phosphates. In BGA its a lack of nitrates. In BBA its a lack or inconsistent levels of co2 all of them along with those issues also probably involve lighting issues as well. The number one key issues for most algae I belive is co2 and light. Not nutrients being in abundance.

Basically just grow plants well and attend to their needs = little/hardly any algae issues. If you have algae, then you are not doing something right regarding taking care of the plants.

[Mr. Fish]

I understand that plants will outcompete algae but if you have excess nutrients floating in the water column then wouldn't algae take advantage and use those nutrients as well?

[Aquaticfan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

I understand that plants will outcompete algae but if you have excess nutrients floating in the water column then wouldn't algae take advantage and use those nutrients as well?

Your still not getting it. Having nutrients aren't what causes algae. It's issues that i mentioned above. Imbalance and lacking in areas do. To much light not enough nutrients like ferts and co2. If excess nutrients were a cause of algae EI would do nothing but cause big explosions of nothing but algae. But it does not. As Tom basically simplified what I said just grow plants well attend to their needs and you should have little to minimal algae issues. If you have issues then your doing something wrong.

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

I understand that plants will outcompete algae but if you have excess nutrients floating in the water column then wouldn't algae take advantage and use those nutrients as well?

It has little to do with "competition".

In the forest, do weeds grow well?
What if you cut down the forest in say a 100x100 meter area?
Then you get weeds.

Do they compete? Not really.

If the climate dried up, then there would not be enough water for the trees, then only weeds would exist.

If the trees are not removed by fire, man, pest like bark beetles etc........then would the weeds be able to grow well? Not really. Some might(Kudzu etc in the SE USA), but in general, no.

where submersed rooted plants exist........and in stable conditions..........plants dominate, there's still algae.

Plants do not out compete algae for nutrients, they simply require MORE nutrients than algae.

If they compete, they compete for light mostly I would say.

[Mr. Fish]

I guess u guys are right that makes sense. Help me understand why high light and low nutrients would cause algae.

I've also heard of people using soil for a bottom layer then it seeping out into the water column and it causing algae. But from what u guys are saying it was more than likely another issue?

[Aquaticfan]

High light and low nutrients cause plants to struggle. If they lack nutrients with high light they start to fail. Just as Tom pointed out in his use of the forest sceniario if you cut down the forest will there still be weeds? Of course. Probably even more. Algae will exist no matter what but we can do our best to limit it and control it by good means of growing plants well and using methods like amano shrimp in numbers along with good circulation and co2 levels will help. It's not about competition between plants and algae its about growing plants well.

Remember light is what drive plants needs and growth. Same goes for algae. Algae is much like a weed. Opportunistic.

[Mr. Fish]

Thanks for clearing that up. Also that was a great way to metaphor it to help understand better Tom.

If a plant starts to show signs of failing or a defiency it can bounce back before the last sign of death correct?

Thats what I'm experiencing now, before I was dosing just Flourish comp with med light and my Anubis and sword did well, now that I have had high light on for 2 weeks before switching over to Dry ferts the Anubis shows a few yellow leaves and the sword has a few pin holes. Will the addition of macros bring it back?