[Anon]

How do you monitor and keep your nutrient levels, Macro and Micro and N in check?

Hi DD,

Although I registered on this forum a while ago, I have returned to it very recently. I was drawn to your question quite simply because you take an interest in actually measuring nutrient levels. So do I. But, I'm still trying to determine what we should be aiming for with each nutrient. I have sets of figures from various sources. I should add that I'm in the UK. So, my figures are mostly from German sources. I'll kick the ball rolling with this information from Aqua Rebell:

Deficiency Symptoms - Aqua Rebell

Against each deficiency, there is a recommended range. For each nutrient, this is how I measure them:

N NT Labs or Tropic Marin nitrate liquid test kit

P JBL Phosphate liquid test kit

K JBL Potassium liquid test kit

Fe Hach AccuChek dip test

Mg JBL Magnesium liquid test kit

How do I aim to maintain the suggested levels? It's a combination of Seachem Flourish, Flourish Iron, Seachem Trace and TNC Complete. But, just recently, I discovered that my potassium level had crept up to 90ppm. And I lost a lot of fish but was it because of the potassium? Possibly, from research that I have read.

I also use CO2 injection, which I measure with an electronic 'drop checker' that I have made. I keep CO2 at around 30ppm.

Finally, I can measure O2 using a JBL Oxygen Liquid Test Kit

That's it for now.

Anon

Bump:

...why would I need to dial in my nutrient levels if things are looking good?

Hi DD,

I keep seeing this expression "dial in my nutrient levels". Would you please explain what is meant by this?

TIA.

Anon