[Matthew RJ]

They say jungle vals are easy and grow quick. For some reason my vals seem to die.

I've changed the gravel to fluorite.
The lights are T-5 HO
Tank is 40 Gallons.
I'm on the hunt for CO2 and still saving coin & researching regulators. I know the addition of CO2 will help, but ferts are also needed.

What I've been doing:
Excel & liquid CO2, but I've read that this can harm vals. So I stopped using it.

Once a week I do a water change and add a dose of mineralize (from seachem). It's 13.5% Calcium, 1.2% Magnesium.

Occasional (2 times a week, 3 times?) I add a dose of envy (also from seachem). http://www.aquavitro.com/products/envy.html

I'm on a well and have been told that we've got hard water.

Enter the confusion:
I was at a LFS where I found out about the Barr report and EI. At this fish store they had powdered KNO3 (potassium nitrate) and KH2PO4 (potassium phosphate). But without selling the stuff, they told me to read up on the barr report then come back for the goods.

It will take me some time to get my head around all the info on that site, and I found a thread here where the EI was discussed (pros & cons).

So ...what's missing in my tank that vals aren't happy? What's needed for plants to take off (and what changes once CO2 gets added)?

 

[Matthew RJ]

API CO2 Booster

http://www.apifishcare.com/product.php?id=617#.UyY_8GdOV9A

I think it's the same thing as EXCEL, and I've tried both and quit using both.

Zapins, when you say the two I've listed, do you mean mineralize + envy, or the powder from the LFS (KNO3 + KH2PO4)?

 

[Matthew RJ]

Guy at the LFS who was suggesting the EI said the flourish is mostly water, and I've been suspecting that what I've been using so far has been useless.

I know the 2 powders would supply the macro nutrients for the EI, would the Envy supply the micro / trace elements?

 

[Matthew RJ]

Envy

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 2.5 mg
Thiamine (B1) 20 µg
Riboflavin (B2) 20 µg
Niacin (B3) 120 µg
Choline (B4) 4 µg
Pantothenate (B5) 70 µg
Vitamin B 120.8 µg
Inositol 10 µg
Arginine 300 µg
Glutamate 600 µg
Lysine 300 µg
Tyrosine 190 µg
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids 600 µg

Ingredients: chlorella, ascorbic acid, niacin, calcium pantothenate, thiamine, riboflavin, inositol, choline chloride, vitamin B12

 

[Matthew RJ]

Thanks, that's what I thought. I've had my suspicion about it, used it regularly, and used it infrequently, and didn't really notice a difference.

I'll call the LFS that had the powders and ask them about the micros and CSM+B.

Thanks for the help.

Is the mineralize useless as well? It says on the front "raises general hardness." If I'm starting with hard water, I don't think this product would be needed.

 

[Matthew RJ]

I'm in Canada, so I'm not sure about this stuff crossing the border. I'll try to find something local first.

 

[Matthew RJ]

Study the plant not the nutrients. Its a brackish plant alongside glossostigma you fellas wanna grow it like a weed? What if I told you a super secret not really I grew a glossostigma carpet in a month... double your magnesium that's it all there is to it.

Epsom is all you need.

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Epsom ...as in Epsom salt?