[TECKSPEED]

Hi all,

Recently purchased some ferts on the forum, I am going to use the PPS Pro method with Osmocote gel capsules as my complete fertilization of my tank.

I need to know:

Can i use the PPS Pro method while having fake plants in the tank?

Should i dose before i turn my light on in the morning, or is it OK to dose after i turn my light off at night too? (picking one or the other of course)

How often to do a water change?

Thanks,

TECK

 

[Darkblade48]

Can i use the PPS Pro method while having fake plants in the tank?

Yes. Just dose according to the biomass of your live plants.

Should i dose before i turn my light on in the morning, or is it OK to dose after i turn my light off at night too? (picking one or the other of course)

Ideally, you want to dose before the lights turn on, since you want the plants to have nutrients available to them. Dosing when the lights are off is of no help to the plants.

How often to do a water change?

According to the PPS-Pro FAQ....

Do I need to do regular water changes?

No – Maybe – Yes

No: PPS-Pro does not add excessive nutrients to the tank, so I plants only tank no water changes should be required.

Maybe: In a tank with high fish load like discus fish, the waste from the fish and food could lead to less than desirable water quality. Watch your NO3 nitrate levels. That will give you a good idea.

Yes: Certain substrates leach into the water and require the water to be changed. Water the KH levels.

Water changes do not hurt. So if you have fish go for it.

 

[TECKSPEED]

can i start the method on lets say a tuesday or something like that or is it recommended that i start on a monday or something? Also, i can just put some osmocote capsules right in i dont have to wait for anything specific correct?

 

[Darkblade48]

can i start the method on lets say a tuesday or something like that or is it recommended that i start on a monday or something? Also, i can just put some osmocote capsules right in i dont have to wait for anything specific correct?

You can start PPS-Pro anytime you want. You can also put the Osmocote capsules in anytime you want.

 

[acitydweller]

Dosing will have no affect on fake plants so no harm will befall them.

Pps pro, ei , ppmd are meant to be guidelines. This method of dosing does not require weekly water changes however this does not mean one should disregard them entirely. Water changes should be based on factors such as nitrate levels relative to the number of fish in the tank relative to the volume of water in the tank. I'd recommend being practical and use common sense. The growth rate of plants is reliant on the quality of light, water, amount of flow in the tank and available nutrients in the substrate and water column. My a suggestion I give a newbies is to dose by whichever method you choose and pay attention to the plants. don't be lazy..Stay ontop of all changes and identify where stagnant. Be willing to adjust accordingly and these plants will reward you with rich growth. Once you are comfortable with what is going on with your tank, you can do whatever the heck you want.
Good luck.

 

[TECKSPEED]

Thanks for all of your responses, I have submerged 4 osmocote capsules in my tank near some of my live plants and added my micro solution today to my tank, just need to follow up tomorrow with my macro.