[Aparker2005]

Hey everyone. I've been using flourish and Pferts liquid ferts ever since I've had plants. I think it's time to switch over to dry as it takes a lot for my 125g.

Im a complete newb to this, but know I need micros and macros.

My question is how much do I use for each, and how often to dose what? I have a 125g discus tank that gets a 75 to 80% water change every Thursday and Sunday. This has been a great schedule for keeping my discus healthy and growing.

I do not do c02 in this tank. Lighting is 2 36" finnex planted plus 24/7s on 24 hour cycle.

Any help with this, and where the cheapest place to get is? Do you guys keep the ferts in containers? Thanks!

 

[touch of sky]

I am in Canada, so I can't help you with where to buy dry fertilizers (assuming you are in the U.S.). I am sure that others can help with that. I use small containers to store a portion of the fertilizer for easy use and pack away the larger bags containing my stock of fertilizer. I use baby food jars, but any jar would work.

As for dosing, how heavily planted is your tank, and with what kind of plants. Also, what kind of dosing schedule are you on now? Would it be possible to provide a picture?

 

[Aparker2005]

That's the tank currently. Amazon Swords, wisteria, Java fern, and anubius.

I think I'm gonna go through green leaf aquariums to purchase. I'm just not sure how often or how much to dose.

Water changes of 75 to 80% occur every Thursday and Sunday, pretty religiously.

 

[roadmaster]

I would consider searching out "Estimative index" dosing for your size tank.
I would look at what is added daily for High energy CO2 injected tank's which EI was designed for, and only add this much of macro/micro's once a week, after Sunday water change.
This is how I dose my own NON CO2 tank's and I am pleased with the plant growth.
Aquariumfertilzer.com or Greenleafaquariums.com can hook you up with the dry fertz.
I keep my dry fertz in small Tupperware container's and after water change,i scoop out a cup full of aquarium water and add the macro's to the cup and stir it up and then dump it in the tank.
Next day,,I do same for micro nutrient's.
Repeat after next weekly water change.
Do not believe you will need to dose twice weekly for each water change in NON CO2 injected tank.
Hope some of this helps.

 

[Aparker2005]

Definitely helps. GLA has the labeled jars for an extra 5 bucks. I think I'll go with those. 1 lb should last a good while. Thanks!

Just ordered the micros and npk ei method pack!

So you do think only one dose of micros and macros for the week are good with no c02 and the planted plus 24/7? Or should I dose each 3x per week in smaller doses?

Looks like 1/2 teaspoons usually? This stuff gets so confusing!

 

[keymastr]

You can dose 3 times a week if you want but cut the amount down to 1/3. Just be sure to dose macros and micros on separate days.

 

[klibs]

I would dose far less than EI levels in that tank. You have a very low plant mass and your plants are mostly easy / undemanding

 

[Aparker2005]

I will be adding some water sprite and Ludwigia repens soon. Trying to get more plants now that I have a much better light and some good ferts coming.

 

[roadmaster]

So you do think only one dose of micros and macros for the week are good with no c02 and the planted plus 24/7? Or should I dose each 3x per week in smaller doses?

Looks like 1/2 teaspoons usually? This stuff gets so confusing!

One dose a week macro/micro will be sufficient for present plant mass .
Maybe twice a week with 50% more plant's.
I know fish are focal point ,and viewing time is desired for largest part of the day perhaps.But I would be stingy with lighting intensity and duration.
Maybe eight hour's total light period and 50% of power if the 24/7 model allow's this ?
Certainly no more than ten hours total for NON CO2 where most of what CO2 is available naturally from biological activity at/in substrate ,and that from fish respiration is used up in first few hour's of light period.(or sooner)
If lighting is too strong,too long a photo period,then lack of ability to increase CO2 will be a limiting factor.
NON CO2 tank's with moderate light can and do perform well, but growth is slow/steady.
Too slow for many.
My two cent's.

 

[AquaDoob]

I just started using the Green Leaf Aquariums kit the sell for $25 or so. BUT my high pressure co2 system is down at the moment and have been dosing with Flourish Excel. Since I have not been running my pressurized system, can I blame the sudden spike in algae on the glass, plants and rocks?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[mooncon1]

I would be careful because you plant mass is so low,ive got a 75 gallon low tech that I dose about 1/5 of ei.Also you my want to check your nitrates and phosphates I never dose nitrates and very seldom phosphates in my discus tank it gets enough from the heavy feeding of beefheart I would put a root tab under the sword plant it looks like you've just got sand substrste.

 

[Aparker2005]

OK do I dose all macros at once? Like mwf? And then just Micros tts?

 

[Aparker2005]

And does it matter when you dose each day?

 

[Aparker2005]

And just so I'm clear. I do water changes usually on Thursday and Sunday.

Ei method says to do 1 water change per week. How does this affect my dosing with the discus tank? Will 2 water changes mess all of this up? Thanks

 

[Hsunami]

get some from @nilocg

The Planted Tank Forum - View Profile: nilocg

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/1...stom-fertilizer-mixing|cholla-wood|ials|.html

i hear great things about his product, but sadly i didn't know about this till i bought my dry ferts from aquariumfertilizer.com

 

[Aparker2005]

I just got the GLA in today so can't buy anything else anytime soon lol

 

[Couesfanatic]

Read the dosing sticky in the water parameters forum. I'd take the EI method and alter the proportion to your liking. Watch and adjust as needed.

 

[roadmaster]

OK do I dose all macros at once? Like mwf? And then just Micros tts?

Yes.

 

[roadmaster]

And does it matter when you dose each day?

No not really, other than you do not want to dose and then perform water change right after.
Is why I suggest once a week dose on Sunday, which would give the plant's a few day's to draw on the nutrient's before next water change on Thursday.
Then after water change on Sunday,,repeat the dose.
I am attempting to consider some fish food,fish waste also, so only once a week dose at daily values for EI and your size tank.
Have no idea how much food you offer but twice weekly 50 to 60% water changes are gonna keep water parameter's stable/clean for fishes and plant's as well.IMHO

 

[Aparker2005]

Thanks! Added macros before I left for work early this morning