Flourish Dosing

[ctyank]

Ok. The sticky says "10mls 2x week". The bottle says "1-2 ml for each 53 gallons once or twice a week."

I don't really understand the first direction and the second direction is pretty vague.

"10 mls" per what? 20 gallons? 10 gallons? And the 2x per week throws me because the recommendation is a 1x per week 50% water change. That water change regulates the trace content, so I don't understand why a 2x per week dosing is recommended.

So assuming the water change is just that, what is the correct baseline weekly dosing per 20 gallons of water?

I have the same question regarding "Flourish Iron" and Epson Salts (magnesium) as well.

I love the sticky, but I think it would be better if each item had a specific "per x gallon" dosing recommendation.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. - Chris


FYI:
135G
C02 injection
Carbonate Hardness: 3.5
pH: 6.5-6.7
Moderately planted

[Cearbhaill]

The instructions I got from Seachem recommend 1mL per 25 gallons twice a week- if day 7 is water change day then dose on day 1 and maybe day 5.

If you email Seachem they will send you a handy dandy little chart listing each and every supplement made and its recommended dosage.
It is still something of a crapshoot and needs tweaking, but it's a jumping off place at least.

[joe schmoe]

This is (removed the word "not" here, my mistake) the second request to correct or clear up that problem in the sticky. Hello???

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16788

[ctyank]

I apologize. I did look for more specific dosing directions, but did not come across them with 20 minutes of searching.

But I do appreciate the direction. Thank you.

[ctyank]

And now that I've re-read the reference I understand that your comment was not directed at me. There I go... always apologizing too fast.

Are there others out there that feel that the sticky should be modified to be a little more specific on dosing directions?

[djlen]

The sticky is the result of a lot of hard work and researching many posts. It was not meant to be all encompassing or to give the dosing requirements for everyone's individual tanks. It's only a starting point for people to read and give them a basic idea of what's required(as many of us see it) to find the balance in our tanks. I think the vagueness of the sticky is a good thing, as it encourages questions and creates dialog. That's how I learn.
Chris, your dosing will depend on your lighting, your plant load and the general ecology of your tank. My advice is to follow the direction on the bottles you have and adjust from there for optimum growth...... and to ask questions.
When I started dosing Fe I was following the directions on the bottle to the letter. Then someone said if I have a moderate to heavy plant load I could dose 10mls at water change and 5mls at mid-week, so I took the cautious approach and went with 5 and 5. When I saw improvement and no algae problem I went to 10 and 5. Then I read that dosing Iron was better done on a daily basis because more of it is absorbed into the plants when dosed that way so I went with 1ml/day(14mls/wk) which was 1ml/wk less than what I had been dosing, but the difference it created was dramatic in many of my plants. My Cryptocorynes, which had been just so-so, took off. They are responding like never before with the new dosing regimen.
The point of this diatribe is that that finding the balance is a very individual thing. Read the sticky and keep asking the questions.

Len

[125gJoe]

With so many variations of substrates, different lighting and how long they are on, CO2 or not.. It's hard to have a simple chart with specifics on dosings. I also got that teeny tiny little chart from SeaChem, it helps a little teeny tiny bit.. :D

[ctyank]

Len,
Wow. I'm impressed with that well thought out post. It is very helpful.

Thanks to all who responded! - Chris

[Timmain42]

Len am smart. :)

And quick on the replies, as well.

[joe schmoe]

Originally posted by ctyank
I apologize. I did look for more specific dosing directions, but did not come across them with 20 minutes of searching.

But I do appreciate the direction. Thank you.

No no....that was my mistake. The word "not" should not have been there and I've edited accordingly. That was my plea to clarify the sticky, not bash you :D

[djlen]

It's called an "Informal FAQ". It's not intended to have all the answers. None of us have all the answers or there would be no point in having the forum.
It's merely a compilation of sources and methods that we amateurs use to try to find the balance. I believe that's all the compiler meant to accomplish and he/she did a great job.......IMO.

BTW, there's room for additions for those that have ideas/methods of their own.

Len