Whats Happening To My Plants?

[mattlee]

Not used em, but was about to when someone sold a pile on here.

http/www.plantedtanks.co.uk/ei-starter-kit-3947-p.asp

http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/dry-chemicals/starter-kits.html

My chemicals are from fluid sensor online.

I'm sure there are others.

ive actually just been looking at those kits. is that everything you need as on fluid sensor online there are loads more to pick from.....

 

[mattlee]

Not used em, but was about to when someone sold a pile on here.

http/www.plantedtanks.co.uk/ei-starter-kit-3947-p.asp

http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/dry-chemicals/starter-kits.html

My chemicals are from fluid sensor online.

I'm sure there are others.

ive actually just been looking at those kits. is that everything you need as on fluid sensor online there are loads more to pick from.....

although slightly more expensive the same chemicals from fluid sensor online have them in a jar not a foil bag which is probably better for me with kids about.

2 x 500ml Dosing Bottles
1 x 500g Potassium Nitrate
1 x 250g Potassium Phosphate
1 x 500g Magnessium Sulphate
1 x 250g Chelated Trace Elements

this is whats in the starter kit for £18

and from fso

2 x 500ml Dosing Bottles =£4.90
1 x 500g Potassium Nitrate =£6.95
1 x 250g MonoPotassium Phosphate =£3.95
1 x 500g Magnessium Sulphate =£3.70
1 x 250g TNC Trace Elements =£6.35

total =£25.85

 

[FishFanatic04]

I find dry dosing much simpler. I have a little plastic container, and in the morning I put the measured ferts in, put some water in, shake it up and toss it in. Takes about 5 seconds and measuring out the liquid from the fridge takes just as long and it can go moldy

I paid $12 total for KNo3, KH2P04, and CSM+B.

Magnesium is only needed for soft water areas. {tnc trace should be the same as csm+b}

 

[DrRob]

now I'm jumping in lol

So this is meant to be a really cost effective way to dose ferts?

When you mix a bottle of this stuff, how long does it last or do you only make what you need per dose?

Yes, it's a lot cheaper. Even cheaper when you realise that Magnesium Sulphate is Epsom Salts.

You can mix a stock solution and dose that (or if you're ultra paranoid like I'm hoping to be pump it slowly in) or add a dose at a time.

As for the prices, I didn't bother with dosing bottles, I just used mineral water bottles and syringes, but then I have access to lots of syringes.

 

[tribalbrit]

I just add straight to the tank with out mixing with water, just use a 5ml spoon. No hassle.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

So you keep it in the fridge if you prepare it ahead of time?

This is all sounding pretty manageable. I was going to ask how long the ingredients in one of those kits would last me but you're probably not able to tell me that eh?

 

[FishFanatic04]

I just add straight to the tank with out mixing with water, just use a 5ml spoon. No hassle.

My CSM+b has particles that sink if you don't shake em a bit. I just measure em all out and shakey all the way to the tank{ey} Gagged myself but typed that anyway. {Hubby made me a "sorry for your sunburn" drink. } He forgot a nice circle on my back. size of a baseball. Looks great.

 

[DrRob]

So you keep it in the fridge if you prepare it ahead of time?

This is all sounding pretty manageable. I was going to ask how long the ingredients in one of those kits would last me but you're probably not able to tell me that eh?

I don't bother, but I do make sure it's in the dark and don't make up too much at once.

I'll let you know how long they last when I start to run out of stuff. Although I could probably work it out. It would also depend on how big your tank was.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Mine is 180L (not counting for displacement). This is all really interesting!

So what about adding the macro and micro at the same time like you get with TPN+? Is this OK with the powders as well?

 

[SO19Firearms]

Mine is 180L (not counting for displacement). This is all really interesting!

So what about adding the macro and micro at the same time like you get with TPN+? Is this OK with the powders as well?

Never count displacement when thinking about Ferts, it's not worth it.
The general line of thinking is add Micro's on off days to Macro's to help stop the Iron reacting with the Phosphate. But if that isn't convenient then don't worry about it...as like you said - we don't with Tropica.

 

[DrRob]

Aye, you can add more chemicals to keep them stable, or just dose them on alternate days. Either works.

 

[mattlee]

ive ordered an EI starter kit and some liquid carbon which should be here in the next few days

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Woo! You'll have to let me know how it goes mattlee

How does it work if you can't dose for a few days (or a week, 2 weeks)? Does everything start to die?

 

[SO19Firearms]

How does it work if you can't dose for a few days (or a week, 2 weeks)? Does everything start to die?

Better to set your tank for the upcoming conditions - If you can't dose carbon or ferts make it low tech for the 1 or 2 weeks.
i.e. cut the light right back and don't dose.

IMO