liquid pond fertilizer & nitrates

[kaslkaos]

GOING SHOPPING

I am absolutely NOT tired of doing tests. It's actually quite fun. I am tired of my 'uninformed shopping' resulting in a drugstore.
I'm pleasantly surprised at how patient and helpful everyone is here, and hoping you'll help me shop right.
Let me get this straight.

MY SHOPPING LIST
I need a Kh test kit (at Big Al's it's bundled with a Gh test kit that I already have)
I need P, Phosphate test kit
I need some sort of root tabs, Flourish Root Tabs (if I can find them), Any alternatives?
Possibly need a 'python'? Is that what I ask for? I'm guessing it's a hose with a very long siphon. Where would I buy this. My tank is in the basement as far away from the tap as you can imagine.

Anything I should add to my shopping list?

I have (amoung many other things), test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Gh, and Ph (high & low)
I have Kent Trace/ & Kent Pro Gro (this is the one with the nitrate)
I have a water softener that uses potassium, and access (upstairs, fish are downstairs) to unsoftened water from the kitchen sink
I bought a CO2 diffuser (hang on canister kind), but I won't use it until I get things straight.
I have 6 10ltr containers for storing/aging tap water (20 gallons = 175ltr)
I printed up the Fert faq (reading on line just didn't cut it for me) and have a few questions.
Where do I get Spectracide Stump Remover or Salt Petre?
I think I can guess, from the name, that Fleet Enema comes from a drugstore.

Big Al's is the only aquarium/fish store that I know of, local stores don't have much for planted tanks, except PetSmart, which is limited compared to Big Al's but easier to get to. Are there any Canadian on-line stores?

PS. I've already cut my lights back to 8hrs/day 40 watts

 

[djlen]

You can get the Python from Big Al's as well. It comes in different hose lengths so measure and order. You won't need to age water once you get the python, but you will need tap water conditioner to add to the tap water as it enters the tank to detoxify it. If you don't have that already, you'll need it.
The kH test kit is the biggie to make sure your water will support CO2. It needs to be 3.0 or higher.
And the P test kit is on the way. Unless I missed something, you're all set, or soon will be.

What you want is KNO3 which is the ingredient in Salt Petre(some pharmacies have it) and also in Spectracide Stump Remover(stores like Lowes and Home Depot carry it in the garden department). Any product will do as long as it's 100% KNO3.
You can also get it on line from places that sell fuel for model rockets that hobbiests fly. Or possibly from agricultural supply houses. You can also buy Flourish Nitrogen by SeaChem if you can't find it in the products listed. It's a bit more expensive that way, but you only have a 20 gal. so it wouldn't be that pricey.

I have this thing about root tabs........I despise them.......which probably irritates others on AC who use them. Can't help it.....I've heard too many horror stories from people using them and disturbing them and getting their contents into the water table. When that happens it can create chaos within an aquarium. If you chose to use them please don't tell me about it.
So MY answer is NO, you don't 'need' root tabs.

Did I mis-read it, or didn't you at one time have 60 watts over the tank? I noticed that you wrote '40 watts' at the end of your last post. 40 watts will settle things down for you until you get all your ducks in a row.

Len

 

[kaslkaos]

No, you didn't missread; up until Feb 10 or so, I had 60 watts, but was advised to cut back, so I have. I edited My Tank to reflect that, and added my filter type.
As for the root tabs, I'd be happy not to use them. They are expensive.
If you're using a python, how do get the temp just right? I'm still thinking I'd rather do 2 25% water changes, not quite the same, but then I can have the water sit to the right temp, and mix hard and soft water to water gh is recommended.
And, yup, I do have dechlor - my fish are still alive...

Thanks again

 

[djlen]

I would use that lighting until you get the tank straightened out.
It will make things easier for you.
The python hooks to the faucet and has a piece on the bottom that can be either engaged or disengaged depending on whether you are siphoning or filling. When it's in the siphon mode(disengaged) and you turn on the tap, the water from the tap runs right through and down the drain. By holding a tank thermometer under the water coming out the bottom you can adjust the temp of the tap water and when satisfied you just engage the bottom piece and the water stops going down the drain and flows down the tube and into the tank. I check a couple of times while re-filling to make sure it's close in temp to the tank's temp. Very easy.
How you do your water changes isn't as important as making sure you do them. 'Clean' water cures a multitude of ills in an aquarium.

Edit: Here's a good location for some of the items you may be looking for (ie. KNO3) and not finding:
http://www.gregwatson.com/

Look on the left and click on PMDD Store for a list of what's available. I like the prices.

Len