Dosing routine for my low tech setup

[Cinbos]

I need some suggestions for dosing dry ferts for my low tech setup. I dosed dry ferts using the EI method, but quickly realized that algae absolutly loved the excess amount of nutrients left over that my plants didn't use. I was dosing dry ferts on Mon, Wed, and Fri, while dosing Trace Tues, Thurs, and Saturday, then doing a water change on Sunday.

What would you all suggest as a better routine?

[Cinbos]

Can someone shed some insight on this for me?

[nilocg]

Cutting the EI dosing in half or a third would be fine.

[johndimo]

Are you low tech meaning no CO2 and low light?

Is EI dosing even required for low tech tanks? I figured that fish food would be enough. Maybe just small dosing of trace minerals and maybe some potassium and that's it?

I would think that fish would provide enough nutrients to cover the phosphate and nitrogen requirements.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by johndimo

Are you low tech meaning no CO2 and low light?

Is EI dosing even required for low tech tanks? I figured that fish food would be enough. Maybe just small dosing of trace minerals and maybe some potassium and that's it?

Yes completely low tech woth all low light plants. Amazon swords, java moss, anubias, chain swords, and petite nana

[johndimo]

How much and what were you dosing before?

Try dosing only potassium and trace. Once or twice a week. Prolly need to cut down the amount as well.

No need for the other stuff if you have good fish load. The fish will supply almost everything you need.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by johndimo

How much and what were you dosing before?

Try dosing only potassium and trace. Once or twice a week. Prolly need to cut down the amount as well.

No need for the other stuff if you have good fish load. The fish will supply almost everything you need.

This is what I was dosing for the past month and some change. I have cut it back to 2 days each now.

Mon,Wed,Fri:
K2SO4 1/8 tsp
KNO3 1/2 tsp
KH2PO4 1/8 tsp

Tues,Thurs,Sat:
CSM+B 1/8 tsp

Sun:
Water Changes

As far as fish load, many of my fish are juveniles and/or small and do not create that much bio load. Also I try my hardest to not over feed. Rarely any food left over on the tanks floor.

[Yankee]

Originally Posted by Cinbos

This is what I was dosing for the past month and some change. I have cut it back to 2 days each now.

Mon,Wed,Fri:
K2SO4 1/8 tsp
KNO3 1/2 tsp
KH2PO4 1/8 tsp

Tues,Thurs,Sat:
CSM+B 1/8 tsp

Sun:
Water Changes

As far as fish load, many of my fish are juveniles and/or small and do not create that much bio load. Also I try my hardest to not over feed. Rarely any food left over on the tanks floor.

For low tech tanks I've found that I only need to dose 1/3 of the nutrients 1 time per week. So instead of doing your whole routine 3xs weekly just do one dose of macros after a water change and do 1 dose of micros the next day and call it good. Test your nitrates at the end of the week to determine whether or not your plants are utilizing most of the N during the week. If you are having algae and your nitrates are high at the end of the week, cut the dosing more. If you have no algae and 0 nitrates (or very low) feel free to dose another day's worth the next week.

[Cinbos]

Originally Posted by Yankee

For low tech tanks I've found that I only need to dose 1/3 of the nutrients 1 time per week. So instead of doing your whole routine 3xs weekly just do one dose of macros after a water change and do 1 dose of micros the next day and call it good. Test your nitrates at the end of the week to determine whether or not your plants are utilizing most of the N during the week. If you are having algae and your nitrates are high at the end of the week, cut the dosing more. If you have no algae and 0 nitrates (or very low) feel free to dose another day's worth the next week.

Appreciate the insight, forgot to test the nitrates lol.

[Cinbos]

Ok so I have figured out my routine, and have started it. I particular have soft water where I live, so I have to add specific nutrients to harden the water.

Mon:
Seachem Equilibrium

Tues:
K2SO4 1/8 tsp
KNO3 1/2 tsp
KH2PO4 1/8 tsp

Wed:
CSM+B 1/8 tsp

Thurs:
Seachem Flourish

Sun:
Water Changes

I also have Seachem Root Tabs for all heavy root feeder, such as Swords and Crypts.

What do you all think?