Example: High Fish Load 2.5 Year Old Tank Using Strict Ei

[plantbrain]

Adding PO4 is something you should do if you have a large fish load.
NO3 is more toxic(but not that much really).

Adding PO4 is not going to cause any more issues than KNO3.

Folks assume that fish waste provides enough PO4 and NO3, yet you only add the NO3.........

Fish waste starts out as organic N and then to NH4........that is very toxic, PO4 additions will increase the rate of uptake of NH4 in higher loaded tanks.

You can see and measure that.

The counter to your idea of not adding it due to the high fish load implies that you think adding PO4 will be somehow detrimental. So if you add PO4, you should see something "bad".

Whether the PO4 comes from fish or KH2PO4 does not matter, although the more bioavailable form will be from KH2PO4.

Nitrogen on the other hand is a lot more toxic as NH4......and I know that several species of algae can be induced using NH4 salts. But NO3 is much more benign.

It would be wiser to make sure that the NH4 is removed via plant uptake(good PO4/K/NO3/traces/CO2 light/water changes, zeolite etc)

That is the issue with high fish loads, not high PO4.
Add 1/8 th teaspoon of KH2PO4 2-3x a week and see what occurs.
Wait about 1 hour and note the plant's health.
This may not cure the Anubias etc, but you might try adding some plants to slightly shade them also.



Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[john starkey]

HI guys this thread has been a very interesting read ,BUT heres the dumb question of the day WHAT DO I NEED TO PURCHASE TO START EI CHEERS JOHN.

 

[nry]

Wierd, I was going to suggest that maybe the anubias is getting too much light? From what I have read dark green plants need less light than light green ones, I wonder if anubias goes a lighter green if it is getting too much light?

Can a nutrient really affect a plant as quickly as within 1 hour of dosing? I guess CO2 can, but what affect would others have?

 

[jimbooo]

thanks tom, sorry for breif reply, on pda.
this is the tank.

the lillies normally break up the light a bit more but i pruned before taking the photo. i'll follow your advice regarding dosing, makes sense. thanks for taking the time to explain.

 

[jimbooo]

hmm i can't see the pictures if its not working ill fix tomorrow from a pc.

 

[chr15_8]

HI guys this thread has been a very interesting read ,BUT heres the dumb question of the day WHAT DO I NEED TO PURCHASE TO START EI CHEERS JOHN.

KNO3 - Potassium Nitrate (K & N)
K2SO4 - Potassium Sulphate (K)
KH2PO4 - Potassium Phosphate (K & P)

can get it all from AE

jimbooo

the pictures are fine and the tank looks great

 

[jimbooo]

thanks chris. i still can't see them. weird.

 

[jimbooo]

right i see them now, if you open the second pic fully and zoom in you will see the anubias leaf colouration problem and the dark veins.

 

[john starkey]

Thanks Chris for the details of what to buy .
JOHN

 

[Dave Spencer]

You could skip the K2SO4 for now, if you wanted. It is a source of K if you are not dosing sufficient nitrates and phosphates.

Don`t forget to buy a decent trace as well.

Dave.

 

[john starkey]

You could skip the K2SO4 for now, if you wanted. It is a source of K if you are not dosing sufficient nitrates and phosphates.

Don`t forget to buy a decent trace as well.

Dave.

Thanks Dave BTW what trace do you use or have good results with ?

 

[Dave Spencer]

I use both AE PMDD trace and Tropica Plant Nutrition. The Tropica has a very good reputation.

If I were you, I would get the PMDD Potassium Nitrate and Phosphate for your K, N and P, and with the money you save on not buying Potassium Sulphate, go for the Tropica for your trace elements.

Dave.

 

[john starkey]

Thanks Dave for that, excuse my stupidity what does PMDD stand for .

 

[George Farmer]

Poor man's Dupla (or dosing) drops.

Dupla is a German make that were and still are big in the planted tank industry.

 

[Underwurlde]

Great thread. Thanks yet again Tom for sharing your extensive knowledge that many pro's would otherwise keep a closely guarded secret....

An alternative & cheaper supply of dry chemicals here:
http/www.gardendirect.co.uk/

Dosing Calculator:
http/www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_dosage_calc.htm

Andy