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View Full Version : Nutrient Levels, recommendations please

jhj
02-05-2006, 8:26 PM
I am ready to dose the Greg Watson nutrients in my new planted 75G.

ph: 7.5
kh: 4/5
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5ppm

Phosphate: 0 or (1/1.5) *

* I got the phosphate tested at three LFS's. They gave the reading as 2ppm (Although they were using the saltwater chart), the second one gave the reading as 1 or 1.5 and the third as 0. I do not know why the variation, but the tap water here in Columbus, OH has a phosphate level of is 2ppm. I am assuming it is atleast 1ppm. I should be getting my kit by end of this week.

CO2: Flourish Excel (until I get the pressurized system)
Lights: 3.6WPG


Ok, I know how to prepare the doses, I also know that the NPK ratio should be (ideally) 10:1:10. I just wanted to find out what is the target level of Nitrate that I should target? I have heard 10ppm and all the way to 20ppm.

Please comment on any other details and as always, I really really appreciate all your help!
beviking
02-06-2006, 12:34 PM
If you know your PO4 is 2ppm, dose NO3 and K to 20ppm too. This is a starting point. It is quite impossible to tell exactly how much of each nutrient any tank has to have. The number doesn't need to be dead accurate either. That's good for things like Estimative Index Dosing and Hobby grade test kits! Shoot for a given point, see how it works, and change it if it isn't working. Some keep 5ppm NO3, some 10, 15, 20 or more.
I assume you already have a NO3 test kit. You should really get the PO4 too. From what I've read, carbon from CO2 is more readily used than carbon from Excel so once you get everything figured out, you'll switch to pressurized and likely have to re-figure everything again...which shouldn't be a big deal for you by then ;)

HTH
jhj
02-06-2006, 9:06 PM
Thanks for your reply. PO4 kit should be in by this week. Assuming tht PO4 is 0 or close to it, should I bump it up to 1 and the NO3and K to 10?

I went to a third store and they gave a po4 reading as 0.
beviking
02-07-2006, 10:11 AM
You got it! If you have a lot of plants, you might want to shoot for 20-2-20 later if things don't look right. You have a source of micronutrients too right?
jhj
02-07-2006, 2:44 PM
. You have a source of micronutrients too right?

Flourish and Flourish iron. I dose Flourish and Flourish iron once a week at the recommended dosage on the bottle.

I will buy some Epsom salt to fill the magnesium needs as well.
beviking
02-07-2006, 3:44 PM
Sounds like you're on your way :thm:

-be
jhj
02-07-2006, 4:08 PM
Sounds like you're on your way :thm:

-be


Thanks for all your help!!!!
djlen
02-07-2006, 4:18 PM
jhj - A question: How many mls. of Flourish and Flourish Fe are you dosing?

Len
jhj
02-07-2006, 11:09 PM
jhj - A question: How many mls. of Flourish and Flourish Fe are you dosing?

Len

6ml each, weekly. The bottle says capful (50ml) for 50G, I have a 75G and I estimate actual water volume to be 65G and hence the 6ml weekly. This is my second week of dosing.

You think thats ok? would you recommed another strategy?
djlen
02-08-2006, 1:07 PM
IMO, it would be much more effective if you dosed 1 ml of Flourish daily and 1 ml. of Flourish Fe (although I'm not a great proponent of Fe+) every other day.
Fe has a very short shop life in your tank. What you dose today that isn't used, will precipitate out by tomorrow.

Len
jhj
02-08-2006, 1:59 PM
IMO, it would be much more effective if you dosed 1 ml of Flourish daily and 1 ml. of Flourish Fe (although I'm not a great proponent of Fe+) every other day.
Fe has a very short shop life in your tank. What you dose today that isn't used, will precipitate out by tomorrow.

Len


Thank you for your suggestion, your advice makes sense.......daily it is!