Ready to mix up some Plantex CSM+B, quick questions

[TrickyD119]

Well I received all of my dry mixes in the mail from gregwatson.com and was very happy with the quick shipment and using Chucks Windows calculator I was able to easily mix up my other batches.

Using some simple algebra I concluded that I need to mix 8.38g (1/2 tablespoon) of Plantex CSM+B to 250ml of water to get the right mixture. Is that correct?

I have a 29g tank (1.8wpg & pressurized CO2 coming soon) and I've heard a few different starting dosage amounts now. What is the general consensus on AC?

I have a 29g and I think the one I've heard most is .5ml/10gallons daily which would be about 1.5ml daily for me. Good or bad idea? Edit: Whereas the conversion on Mr. Watson's site would be closer to .5ml daily. Which would you consider more accurate?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Timmain42]

Errrkkk... brake that solution!

The correct mix is 2 *tablespoons* per 500 ml. Seems like a lot, but if the water is hot to start with, it mixes pretty fast. I mix mine in an old 473ml AmQuel bottle... 2 tablespoons and as hot of water as will come out of the tap.

For 250ml, you'll want a whole tablespoon. Gimme a second and I'll find the formula for dosing.

::edit:: Straight from the Hand of Len-

I mix 2tbsps. with 500mls. of water. Mix it up real well and get all the crystals to dissolve. Store it in the refrigerator.
When I first started using it, I dosed .5ml per 10 gals. of water daily(or 1ml per 10gals. every other day). My mind is shot, but the dosage is the same so it's not critical.
I've gradually increased the dosage after watching the plant's responses.

Len

 

[TrickyD119]

thank you Timmain!

Any idea if there is any link to any discussion where members (here or elsewhere) came to the conclusion to double the dry mix ratio and triple the daily dosage to what is mentioned on Greg's site?

I definitely trust you guys, I just like to be educated in addition to blind faith when it comes to this kind of stuff.

 

[Timmain42]

I don't know where that discussion is, off the top of my head. I just asked one of the people who's advice cured the problems I'd been having for a few months.

However, if you want to do some reading on this board, try searching for "Plantex" under Aquatic Plants Forum.

 

[TrickyD119]

Thanks again, I'll see what I can dig up

 

[djlen]

Tricky -
I have been of the impression for years, that trace elements are under dosed by many hobbiests.
I spoke with a bunch of people about it and the consensus was that a good stock solution was just as Timmain describe's above.
2 tbsps. per 500mls. has done wonders for my tanks and the plants, especially the Crypts. have gone nuts since I increased dosages.
Incremental dosing, of course depends on your plant types and mass. I am a huge fan of the jungle look, with hopefully the end result being a tank almost completely planted with Cryptocoryne. As they fill in, I reduce the others.
I'd advise dosing traces on a daily basis, mainly because of the limited 'shelf life' of Fe in the water table.
As I said before, not knowing your mass I wouldn't make an incremental recommendation. I will say this. I am dosing, in my 40gal. 'show tank', 10mls. daily. This tank has been completely stable for over 14 months. It pretty much runs itself. It has nice mass, consisting almost entirely of rosette plants(mostly crypts. and anubia). I keep a fairly heavy canopy of Riccia over it and a few Vals. and Pennywort as my safety nets(I'm neurotic).
By way of comparison, I have 2 55's that get 5 - 10mls. daily and a 10 that gets 2 mls. daily. I arrived at these dosages slowly, through trial and error.
Dose a little and observe. Increase a little and observe.
Traces work hand in hand with Macros, so make sure you keep those in balance as well.
I hope this answers your questions in the PM. I had a lot more room to respond here. Hope this helps.

Len

 

[TrickyD119]

Thank you for taking the time to explain that for me Len, I appreciate it.

Sometimes my head spins with all the different recommendations I find searching around the net, but it means a lot more when it is coming from someone with time-tested experience.

Thanks again