Is this O.K.?

Skittyfish

Skittyfish

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Jan 8, 2003
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I finally got my 72 gallon planted, here is what i have...

4 Red mellon Swords
2 Amazon Swords
1 (2)Compacta Swords
2 Crypt Wendtii
1 Crypt Balansae Or Ciliata not sure which, can't find pic
Dwarf Sagittaria
3 bunchs of Pond Penny
4 Java Fern
Willow Moss
Hornwort (if its leaves grow back)
a tiny bit of water sprite
cambomba (sp?)
A. Ulvaceaus


Should I add CO2? I can only do DIY right now, but would 2 bottles help growth?

I only have 110 w of CF, can add a 40w reg Flourescent
I have been adding Flourish, Flourish Trace, and Flourish Excell.
I also have pure laterite mixed in with the gravel.

What do you think will die, and what should I do to keep it all living? I think my ph is 7.2 or 7.4, Phosphate is reading 0, NO3 is 5 (when I get it to drop from the test bottle) Iron is testing 0,
KH is 30ppm GH is 60ppm. My Ph tends to go up between water changes. Will be about 6.6 to 6.8 just after a change and before the next change can be as high as 7.6.

Any thoughts appreciated. and TIA
 
Pic Request .

Sounds like a good set-up!

You may want to consider Flourish Potassium also and skip the Excell...

CO2 works wonders on plants -- but not needed until higher lighting comes in to play...
 
Last edited:
Originally posted by Skittyfish
IThanks, I have a huge bottle of Excel, but can I get potassium from something else? Besides the Flourish brand?
Click to expand...
Well, it's most likely fine to use the Excel, but I'm not sure if it's really needed. :confused:
 
That pearling probably comes from the traces that are in your tap water when you do your water change as well, probably as small amounts of KNO3, and P. When you get the right combo of adding traces, K,P etc. and add CO2 the tank will pearl all the time. My guess is that DIY is not going to add enough CO2 to make a huge difference. Any CO2 will help, but I run 4 DIY bottles in my 55, and just get the pH where I want it. For a 72 you really need to consider pressurized.
I'm having a little difficulty understanding your pH report. You say it's 7.2 or 7.4, I assume you mean out of the tap, but then you say your pH starts out at 6.6-6.8 and rises during the week. Something doesn't make sense.
Len
 
no, thats right. Out of the tap it is anywhere from 6.6 to 6.8, and in my tank it rises to 7.6 with the Hagen test kit. I don't have any idea why. Kh is 30, GH is 60. Just now with the Aquarium Pharma. test kit it is 7.0 with the Hagen kit it is 7.6 in the tank. I am beginning to wonder if the Hagen has something wrong with it. The LFS said it was 6.8 yesterday.
 
O.k. it has been verified that my Hagen Ph test is not right, that would be, WRONG!

Ph is 6.8, and no higher than 7.0. KH is 30ppm or 1.68 dh.

Potassium Sulfate is Allgreen, KCL is Potashn and Potassium Nitrate is Stump Remover Right?

Can I use these or should I just fork over the money and shipping for the Flourish Potassium?

HELP HELP HELP:confused:
 
Your light levels are okay but on the low side. This means that your plant will not grow as fast. I would hold off on the fertilizing for awhile. You don't want to get in a situation where you have more ferts than you plants can utilize. This means algae.

At the most you might want to add some root tablets or Job Sticks for the swords buried deep into the substrate and maybe adding some NO3 till you get about 10ppm but thats about it. The rest of your nutrient will come from the water changes.

Also, adding Excel wouldn't hurt if you already have that. Having a low light tank is less maintances so just sit back, relax and admire your hard work. Good luck!
 
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