Just out of curiosity daveedka, do you have a formula for N:K ratio or just add more K if N is up, less if it's down?
Java fern mystery
- Thread starter Paul
- Start date
30 gallon tank:
4 boesmani rainbowfish
3 green swordtails
2 platys
2 corys
1 yoyo loach
20 gallon tank:
2 pearl gouramis
4 small platys
1 cory
1 yoyo loach
The 30 gallon tank, where I'm having trouble with the plants, has the higher fish load. So maybe I should use just K instead of the Leaf Zone?
4 boesmani rainbowfish
3 green swordtails
2 platys
2 corys
1 yoyo loach
20 gallon tank:
2 pearl gouramis
4 small platys
1 cory
1 yoyo loach
The 30 gallon tank, where I'm having trouble with the plants, has the higher fish load. So maybe I should use just K instead of the Leaf Zone?
I would add the K in addition to the leaf zone and see what happens after a couple weeks. K is one of the macronutrients and is used in greater quantities than the micronutrients in the leaf zone.
OK - where can I get plain K? The local fish store only has Leaf Zone and similar products that contain potash, Fe, and other nutrients. Or should I get Flourish?
Thanks.
Thanks.
For just plain K, Use nu-salt or no-salt, I use Nu-salt, which is KCL + less than one percent other stuff. I dose 1/8 TSP twice a week in the 15g and the 10g, haven't sttled on a dose for the big tank yet.
I wish I had the ratio worked out, but essentially I just increase the K when the nitrates don't all dissapear (I know, sloppy science) I found before I started dosing K that At the end of a week I had about 15-20 ppm nitrates in the guppy tank (heavily planted) and 20-30 ppm nitrate in the cichlid tank (moderate to light) My tap water delivers 2 ppm P so I just staarted dosing K and and adjusted it to where my nitrates stay at 5 ppm and my P almost dissapears in a week. I am doing everything in my power to avoid high tech tanks, but just can't seem to stop myself, I'll be building a co2 reactor for the guppy tank the next time I have a week that I don't travel. I'm also going to start dosing KNO3 soon so I'm sure everything will change.
I wish I had the ratio worked out, but essentially I just increase the K when the nitrates don't all dissapear (I know, sloppy science) I found before I started dosing K that At the end of a week I had about 15-20 ppm nitrates in the guppy tank (heavily planted) and 20-30 ppm nitrate in the cichlid tank (moderate to light) My tap water delivers 2 ppm P so I just staarted dosing K and and adjusted it to where my nitrates stay at 5 ppm and my P almost dissapears in a week. I am doing everything in my power to avoid high tech tanks, but just can't seem to stop myself, I'll be building a co2 reactor for the guppy tank the next time I have a week that I don't travel. I'm also going to start dosing KNO3 soon so I'm sure everything will change.
Is nu-salt sold in supermarkets as a substitute for NaCl? I assume at such low doses it's not harmful to catfish or other bottom dwellers (unllke aquarium salt)?
Yes and yes.
I was surprised at how much the stuff cost. It was $5 for a dinky little can. The hardware store had a 40lb bag of KCL for water softening for $7.
I was surprised at how much the stuff cost. It was $5 for a dinky little can. The hardware store had a 40lb bag of KCL for water softening for $7.
Thanks to all for your advice. I like the way people on this forum go out of their way to help others, including novices like myself. Here are some things I've learned that plants need:
- Phosphate - they're going to get a lot of that from fish food, and too much causes algae growth. Maybe I don't need to add more?
- Nitrate - they'll get a lot of that from fish waste, but enough? I should test for nitrates to find out.
- Potassium - Definitely I should add this via KCl, or, if more nitrates are required, via KNO3.
Thanks again.
- Phosphate - they're going to get a lot of that from fish food, and too much causes algae growth. Maybe I don't need to add more?
- Nitrate - they'll get a lot of that from fish waste, but enough? I should test for nitrates to find out.
- Potassium - Definitely I should add this via KCl, or, if more nitrates are required, via KNO3.
Thanks again.
I've been dosing both tanks with KNO3, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. The Java fern in the 30-gallon tank still gets black leaves - see the attached photo. Is this algae? The Java fern in the 20-gallon tank has a couple of brown leaves, but doesn't look nearly as bad.
daveedka said:
You know its going to happen, you resist, but it just keeps happening. I know all too well!
Paul, check here...
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/
there is a plant deficiency chart (if you haven't found it already through other threads) that may help. You should dose K(potassium) via KCl (or K2SO4) along with KNO3. Potassium is used in greater quantities and, even at higher doses, isn't detrimental to your tanks inhabitants. Try it for a month because J.fern is a slow grower (relatively). In the link I provided, there is also a dosage calculator to help with how much of what to dose.
No, it isn't algae.
