www.aquariumfertilizers.com
KNO3 will add both K+ and NO3's.
Just like NaCl adds Na+ and Cl- to water.
Same type of salt bonding.
I'd suggest you get 4 things for DIY and then you'll have enough ferts for the next 2-3 years for a few $.
KNO3: 2 lbs
KH2PO4 1 lb
CMS+B: 1lb
Gh booster: 2lbs
NO3
PO4
K+
NPK on the sides of fertilizer bags, the no#'s are the ratios of these nutrients.
Gh booster adds K+, Ca, Mg(used only on water change days)
CMS+B is a trace iron mix.
Example for a 75 gallon tank dosing with CO2, lower light(say 2x 54 W t5 lights):
1/2 teaspoon KNO3 2-3x a week
1/8th teaspoon KH2PO4 2-3x week
Gh booster after water change(25-50% weekly or 50% every 2 weeks) 1.5 tsp
CMS+B add 3 tsp to 1 liter of water, dose 20mls of this 2-3x a week
That's it.
Cost you about 20-30$, last for a few years. 1-2 bottles of store bought stuff will cost you that much. You pay for a bottle and water, with a tiny bit of ferts in it from them.
If you do not use CO2, then Excel might be an option, but gets a bit $$ for a 75 Gal tank. I'd cut the dosing by 1/2 if you go that route.
If you do not add Excel or CO2, then add the amounts above only 2-4x a month and reduce the water changes to little as possible.
Since there's little build up of NO3 right now, you are not going to need to do much water change if any, the plants are cleaning the water asnd removing the "waste".
I'd dose 1-2x a month the KNO3/KH2PO4/Gh booster listed above and see if you do not add any CO2. Dose about 5mls for the traces once a week without CO2 etc.
Refrain from water changes.
Water sprite will get pale and yellowish when lacking nutrients, particularly NO3. So keep an eye on that for a "test".
Regards,
Tom Barr
KNO3 will add both K+ and NO3's.
Just like NaCl adds Na+ and Cl- to water.
Same type of salt bonding.
I'd suggest you get 4 things for DIY and then you'll have enough ferts for the next 2-3 years for a few $.
KNO3: 2 lbs
KH2PO4 1 lb
CMS+B: 1lb
Gh booster: 2lbs
NO3
PO4
K+
NPK on the sides of fertilizer bags, the no#'s are the ratios of these nutrients.
Gh booster adds K+, Ca, Mg(used only on water change days)
CMS+B is a trace iron mix.
Example for a 75 gallon tank dosing with CO2, lower light(say 2x 54 W t5 lights):
1/2 teaspoon KNO3 2-3x a week
1/8th teaspoon KH2PO4 2-3x week
Gh booster after water change(25-50% weekly or 50% every 2 weeks) 1.5 tsp
CMS+B add 3 tsp to 1 liter of water, dose 20mls of this 2-3x a week
That's it.
Cost you about 20-30$, last for a few years. 1-2 bottles of store bought stuff will cost you that much. You pay for a bottle and water, with a tiny bit of ferts in it from them.
If you do not use CO2, then Excel might be an option, but gets a bit $$ for a 75 Gal tank. I'd cut the dosing by 1/2 if you go that route.
If you do not add Excel or CO2, then add the amounts above only 2-4x a month and reduce the water changes to little as possible.
Since there's little build up of NO3 right now, you are not going to need to do much water change if any, the plants are cleaning the water asnd removing the "waste".
I'd dose 1-2x a month the KNO3/KH2PO4/Gh booster listed above and see if you do not add any CO2. Dose about 5mls for the traces once a week without CO2 etc.
Refrain from water changes.
Water sprite will get pale and yellowish when lacking nutrients, particularly NO3. So keep an eye on that for a "test".
Regards,
Tom Barr
