Fertilizer Question

colby

colby

"Indeed"
Feb 28, 2008
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0
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OK. So I have my CO2 set up and my light now I am trying to iron out my fertilizer regimine. I read the thread on the The estimative index (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142895) and the page on Rex's (http://www.rexgrigg.com/ferts.htm) and I have some questions. First, I live in an apartment and I don't really want to do 23 gallon water changes every week. Maybe I'm lazy, maybe it's because my wife is having a baby tomorrow :help:....I'm not sure....you decide. The point is, how can I incorporate the concepts of fertilizer dosing that I learned without the 23 gallons a week water changes? I do water changes every week, but I do about 7 gallons, the size of my water prep tank. Second question, why is the dosing staggered? Why can't you do it all once a week? Thanks in advance.
 
I idea of staggering the dosing is that you don't overdose the tank (potentailly causing harm to the fish or "burning" the plants) all at once. Smaller doses during the week is better, more consistant feeding.

Look into a Python water change system. Easy to use and setup, not super expensive.

If you can't change more water then I would suggest cutting the fert dose in half and seeing how it goes for awhile.
 
^ agree, except cut it by 2/3 until plants are established, growing - then go w/ half.
 
That probably is the safest way to go. It will definately keep algae more at bay until the plants start to take off.
 
The other reason for the staggered dosing is that some of the ferts may react and create harmful compounds if dosed together.
 
You can do plants and and no water changes or minimal water changes you just don't do high light set up. you don't have to stager fert dosing just give alittle time between dosing irn and phosphates or you get ironphosphate which dosn't disolve in water I've dosed daily before if you want to target certian fert levels like for red plants. If you want more info on less water changes you should check out Thebarrreport.com he's got other methods with EI dosing other than 50% water changes a week and I'm pretty sure its in the part you don't have to subscribe to veiw.
 
Tinkerman, I'm a little confused. I tried www.thebarrreport.com and all I got was a political page for a former congressman. I also tried the barreport.com and couldn't find anything. Could you clarify that please. Thank you.
 
what EI is dump all the ferts they need and major water change to reset for the next week. i like it cuz its simple and easy. your best bet would be like the others say cut back try 1/2 or 1/3 of what they say. do your reg water changes and test. EI is by no means the final answer nor the only way to do it. every tank is different. its a great place to start then change it to meet your needs.
 
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