Sword suffering with zero nitrates

mfskarphedin · 10-23-2012, 09:04 AM

I have a sword in flourite with flourish tabs (and flourish liquid for the other plants amended with API Leaf Zone for more iron and potassium.) Oh, an daily Excel. I also made capsules of iron tabs and calcium. It is suffering from lack of nitrates, which I don't want to add to the water column.

Is there a site that provides custom tabs with macro/micro nutrients of my choosing? It would help a lot! I hate making up my own capsules. Thanks!

Photo taken before the sword went to hell...

Patriot · 10-23-2012, 12:47 PM

Do you have a photo taken after so we will be able to narrow down what it is missing?

mfskarphedin · 10-23-2012, 07:50 PM

I don't have one right now, as it's at a business whose tank I maintain, but the older leaves start to rot from the edge and if allowed, continue down to the stem. Getting worse and worse by the week.

It's definitely time for new tabs, been 3 - 4 mos. It's still putting out bright red, healthy leaves like mad, so iron is ok, I think. I had pinholes after the tabs and caps with Flourish, so that's why I added the API Leaf Zone for potassium (also for Anubias. )

I've cut down water changes and will let the tank get a little "dirtier," but I still have to do a light vacuum of the top of the substrate, as it needs to be presentable. I also would like to avoid adding nitrate to the water column.

mfskarphedin · 10-23-2012, 07:57 PM

Oh! Click on my .sig tank, "46 gallon bowfront." There's a leaf on the right showing what's going on. It's been a long-term and now accelerating problem. Thx!

mfskarphedin · 10-24-2012, 02:59 AM

I'm looking at these RootMedic tabs, btw. Supposedly they're 2 for 1 atm, too.

**Hoppy** · 10-24-2012, 04:07 AM

Nitrates in the substrate will also be in the water, so adding it in root tabs doesn't do what you seem to want. Why don't you want nitrates in the water? I'm not aware of a single good reason not to have nitrates in the water at at least 20 ppm.

concepts88 · 10-24-2012, 12:17 PM

Nitrates up to 20ppm is safe btw. Dont be trained to have 0 0 0 all across for readings.

When you have a nitrate test kit, it will also read 20ppm as in the safe zone. Consider dry ferts nirtate dosing if you believe it is that. Aquariumfertilizers.com

mfskarphedin · 10-26-2012, 06:24 AM

I don't have P and K tests, but I have a nitrate test, and it reads zero. I've had plants including the mother to this sword grow fine with a zero nitrate reading, but that tank was never vacuumed, so that's why I'm worried about getting N to this plant.

I didn't want N in the water, because I have, strangely, a string algae problem in the java moss. My paranoia is probably driven by old myths about what promotes algae. But I guess mainly I'd like to not overwhelm the tank owner with having to dose yet another liquid fert.

So, after studying some threads and looking at fert tabs, and considering work for my client, I think I'm going to make some Osmocote Plus caps and see how that goes. If it doesn't work, I can use it in my house plants, but I think it will, since I remember now that I had put Jobe's Spikes in with the Flourish tabs originally! Duh...!

Thx,

K

mfskarphedin · 10-26-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concepts88

Aquariumfertilizers.com

I keep trying to go here, btw, but I get an error. Is the site down?

jstehman · 10-26-2012, 11:19 AM

www.aquariumfertilizer.com

no s.

10-23-2012, 09:04 AM	#1
mfskarphedin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seacoast NH, USA Posts: 29	Sword suffering with zero nitrates I have a sword in flourite with flourish tabs (and flourish liquid for the other plants amended with API Leaf Zone for more iron and potassium.) Oh, an daily Excel. I also made capsules of iron tabs and calcium. It is suffering from lack of nitrates, which I don't want to add to the water column. Is there a site that provides custom tabs with macro/micro nutrients of my choosing? It would help a lot! I hate making up my own capsules. Thanks! Photo taken before the sword went to hell... __________________ 46 gal Bowfront

10-23-2012, 12:47 PM	#2
Patriot Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 895	Do you have a photo taken after so we will be able to narrow down what it is missing? __________________ Proudly Serving in the United States Armed Forces, 2009-Present SUNSUN PIMP #41 *The Fraternity of Dirt #50* *Just because its dirt doesn't make it low tech.* What Can Dirt Do For You? Nikon Club Member #35

10-23-2012, 07:50 PM	#3
mfskarphedin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seacoast NH, USA Posts: 29	I don't have one right now, as it's at a business whose tank I maintain, but the older leaves start to rot from the edge and if allowed, continue down to the stem. Getting worse and worse by the week. It's definitely time for new tabs, been 3 - 4 mos. It's still putting out bright red, healthy leaves like mad, so iron is ok, I think. I had pinholes after the tabs and caps with Flourish, so that's why I added the API Leaf Zone for potassium (also for Anubias. ) I've cut down water changes and will let the tank get a little "dirtier," but I still have to do a light vacuum of the top of the substrate, as it needs to be presentable. I also would like to avoid adding nitrate to the water column. __________________ 46 gal Bowfront

10-23-2012, 07:57 PM	#4
mfskarphedin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seacoast NH, USA Posts: 29	Oh! Click on my .sig tank, "46 gallon bowfront." There's a leaf on the right showing what's going on. It's been a long-term and now accelerating problem. Thx! __________________ 46 gal Bowfront

10-24-2012, 02:59 AM	#5
mfskarphedin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seacoast NH, USA Posts: 29	I'm looking at these RootMedic tabs, btw. Supposedly they're 2 for 1 atm, too. __________________ 46 gal Bowfront

10-24-2012, 04:07 AM	#6
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,208	Nitrates in the substrate will also be in the water, so adding it in root tabs doesn't do what you seem to want. Why don't you want nitrates in the water? I'm not aware of a single good reason not to have nitrates in the water at at least 20 ppm. __________________ Hoppy

10-24-2012, 12:17 PM	#7
concepts88 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: USA Posts: 206	Nitrates up to 20ppm is safe btw. Dont be trained to have 0 0 0 all across for readings. When you have a nitrate test kit, it will also read 20ppm as in the safe zone. Consider dry ferts nirtate dosing if you believe it is that. Aquariumfertilizers.com __________________ Nikon Pimp #82

10-26-2012, 06:24 AM	#8
mfskarphedin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seacoast NH, USA Posts: 29	I don't have P and K tests, but I have a nitrate test, and it reads zero. I've had plants including the mother to this sword grow fine with a zero nitrate reading, but that tank was never vacuumed, so that's why I'm worried about getting N to this plant. I didn't want N in the water, because I have, strangely, a string algae problem in the java moss. My paranoia is probably driven by old myths about what promotes algae. But I guess mainly I'd like to not overwhelm the tank owner with having to dose yet another liquid fert. So, after studying some threads and looking at fert tabs, and considering work for my client, I think I'm going to make some Osmocote Plus caps and see how that goes. If it doesn't work, I can use it in my house plants, but I think it will, since I remember now that I had put Jobe's Spikes in with the Flourish tabs originally! Duh...! Thx, K __________________ 46 gal Bowfront

10-26-2012, 11:19 AM	#10
jstehman Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: LaVista, NE Posts: 337	www.aquariumfertilizer.com no s. __________________ Never show anyone your true potential. If you do, they will always expect it.

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