Plant Ferts

James0816

James0816

AC Members
Feb 14, 2007
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Was looking into getting the Seachem Fundamentals and Enhancer kits. I'm new to this type of dosing as currently I only use Flourish.

My question is, is there an all inclusive product that I can get instead of having six different bottles?

I know many here use dry ferts but I don't want to chance me messing around and overdosing a tank.

Thanks for the assistance.

** EDIT**

Let me throw in lack of CO2 in the mix too. I am mainly looking at this for a large aquarium and DIY Co2 will be out of the question until I can come up with a presurized system.
 
Last edited:
ok...think I will go with the dry ferts. Still reading posts and such but getting a wee confused. I'll touch on that in a minute.

As for tanks, they range from 10-46 in size. All but the 46 have DIY Co2 and all tanks are sitting at just over 2wpg. Plant range is about medium at the moment as much are still young and just waiting to thrive.

So...looking at AquariumFertilizer.com, I am currently looking at the PMDD mix and trying to find out what else I need to go with it. I saw some articles about the EI method but at 50% wc at the end of the week, that is kinda steering me away from that.

I actually just read one post where someone made that comment that the PMDD was junk and use individual chemicals instead.

So, now looking for suggestions on the ferts to use. Should I start with PMDD or dive straight into individuals?

Research continues.
 
I use CSM+B plantex from aquariumfertilizer.com then add the macros seperately. I tailor the macros depending on what the levels are in my tank. Phosphate is usally abundant so I throttle that back and use adequate doses of nitrate and potassium. I keep all of the NPK macros on hand. The water changes are to prevent build up of nutrients. Once you get a feel for how your tank responds to your doses, you can tailor and keep things in check. Let me know if you have questions.
 
Lots of questions ;o)

At this moment however, I am just getting looking to get the feel of the dry ferts that I need to get. I know I shouldn't go at it full bore but would like to go in at about half throttle. That should enable to get an understanding of what to expect.

On AFs webstore, they have so many listed. To the first timer, it is a bit much to know what to get.

If I have read correctly, I need the following:

CSM+B Plantex
Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4)
Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4)
Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

** EDIT **
and for tank without Co2, I should get Excel?

Does this sound about right?

In keeping with the 25% wc weekly, how would this affect dosing?
 
I just found this little tid bit:

"
PO4 Modified PMDD Formula Many people have seen a need for PO4 to be added to the original PMDD formulation so I have come up with a formula that is based on the latest formula found on the Krib website but with the addition of potassium phosphate. In the original formulations all of the ingredients are mixed into a single solution, but this can cause problems due to the potassium phosphate which will react with any free iron. It is therefore easiest to make up two separate solutions for macro's and micro's. But it is possible to mix all the ingredients together by keeping the iron chelated. See my 'All In One' solution for more details.
Macros
25g Potassium Nitrate
2.2g Potassium Phosphate (monobasic)
11g Potassium Sulphate
20g Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate (Epsom Salts)
500 ml distilled water
Micros
15g Chelated Trace Element Mix (7% Fe, 1.3% B, 2% Mn, 0.06% Mo, 0.4% Zn, 0.1% Cu)
250 ml distilled water
0.5 ml Normal Hydrochloric Acid



Dosing The level of dosing is dependant on your plant stocking level. The amounts below are designed for a fully planted tank so if you are 50% planted then you can half the amounts. These are the amounts that I use on my tank and that I know work for me. They are both dosed on a daily basis.
2 ml of Macros solution per 10 gallons (US) or 40 litres
1 ml of Micros solution per 10 gallons (US) or 40 litres

"

How is this one?
 
James0816 said:
Lots of questions ;o)

At this moment however, I am just getting looking to get the feel of the dry ferts that I need to get. I know I shouldn't go at it full bore but would like to go in at about half throttle. That should enable to get an understanding of what to expect.

On AFs webstore, they have so many listed. To the first timer, it is a bit much to know what to get.

If I have read correctly, I need the following:

CSM+B Plantex
Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4)
Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4)
Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

** EDIT **
and for tank without Co2, I should get Excel?

Does this sound about right?

In keeping with the 25% wc weekly, how would this affect dosing?
Click to expand...

Don't forget about K2S04.
MgS04 is Epson Salt! Check your source water first, if using tap. There may be enough present already.
If your source water is on the soft side, you may need a GH booster as well.
 
Hi, I am new at keeping a plant tank. Anyone used play sand as substrate? It is for a 45gallon tank. What exactly is a fert? Does one really need to use a co2 infuser for a 45 gallon tank that I want to pretty densly plant? thanks
 
James0816 said:
ok...think I will go with the dry ferts. Still reading posts and such but getting a wee confused. I'll touch on that in a minute.

As for tanks, they range from 10-46 in size. All but the 46 have DIY Co2 and all tanks are sitting at just over 2wpg. Plant range is about medium at the moment as much are still young and just waiting to thrive.

So...looking at AquariumFertilizer.com, I am currently looking at the PMDD mix and trying to find out what else I need to go with it. I saw some articles about the EI method but at 50% wc at the end of the week, that is kinda steering me away from that.

I actually just read one post where someone made that comment that the PMDD was junk and use individual chemicals instead.

So, now looking for suggestions on the ferts to use. Should I start with PMDD or dive straight into individuals?

Research continues.
Click to expand...
James
I am using PNDD (without added Phosphate) and Flourish trace to my tanks. I bought the PMDD from aquarium fertilizer.com.
The plants are growing great. In fact I had to give away 2 swords that were 26" tall and 24" wide.
Here's how my 46 gallon looks now:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171476&page=3
My lighting on the 46 is 96 watts cfl = 2.08 wpg.
DIY CO2
My ludwigia Repens is growing 4" per week.
Because my DD black angels require clean water, I do a 30-40% WC
3 times a week.
Good luck
Charles
 
This is pretty much my setup. ;o) same amount of light too. I just have sand as a substrate for future khulis and cories.

Can I ask a couple more questions:

1) How are you dosing the PMDD? Is it all mixed together or seperately?
2) Are you dosing ~ 4.5ml of Flourish twice a week?
3) Co2...how are you using DIY on such a large tank? I thought it was not practical for tanks of this size?

Thanks again!
 
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