EI question

[coach_z]

Well, its not exactly EI but close. I am dosing:
PMDD 1/4 tsp 5x a week
Phosphate ~1/16 2x tsp a week

I tested nitrate and phosphate last night and i have about 3ppm phosphate and about 40-50ppm nitrate

I am due for my weekly 25% water change tomorrow. Are nitrates and phosphates too high? If so, should i cut back on my dosing? should i start doing 1/4tsp pmdd x5 a week and 1/16 tsp x1 a week?

I dont really want to do every other day dosing as i have this problem of 'did i dose yesterday or no?'

More tank info. 30 gallon, 65W 6700K PC, no algae, few neon tetras, mollys, harly raspboras, moderately planted with stem plants: (15) ludwigia repens, (30) rotala indica, (3) amazon swords, (~40) baby java ferns, (10) dwarf sag

-chris

 

[plantbrain]

A better question is are the test kits calibrated and correct to start with?

See here on how to make a standard reference solution to check before assuming they/the readings are correct:


http://www.barrreport.com/estimativ...o3-po4-reference-solutions-repost-left-c.html

Then adjust down from there if so.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[coach_z]

thanks tom. unfortunately i don't have a scale (or straight NO3)...is there a better way?

also, what do you do with these reference solutions? keep them and use them instead of the cards that come with the api master test kit?

-chris

 

[Riiz]

thanks tom. unfortunately i don't have a scale (or straight NO3)...is there a better way?

also, what do you do with these reference solutions? keep them and use them instead of the cards that come with the api master test kit?

-chris

The reference solutions are a know concentration, such as 10 or 20ppm. You test the know solution and compare to the colors on your cards, to see how accurate your test is.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

If you have no algae, then why make changes. What do the plants tell you?

 

[coach_z]

If you have no algae, then why make changes. What do the plants tell you?

the only reason i would like to change is high nitrate levels for the fish. and so i dont waste too much fertilizer

 

[Cluunox]

would it be easier to do a 50% WC and see where things end up at the end of the week for a couple weeks. Cut readings in half to start not just 25%. This should bring the nitrates close not sure what phosphates would do.

 

[coach_z]

my nerite snais seemed to not be doing too well today so i did a water change and they perked right up. they appear to not like high nitrate.

 

[jpappy789]

I agree. A larger WC would help...most EI "recipes" I've seen call for a 50% weekly change anyways.

 

[coach_z]

yep, levels are still high....will have to do 25% more in the morning
1 phosphate ~35 nitrate