on other forums they talk about plant keeping methods and refer to EI and PPS or PSS methods. Does anyone know what they are talking about?
What does the EI and PPS method mean
- Thread starter lousybreed
- Start date
EI is the beginning verse of a song you sing while pruning your plants. It's very relaxing and singing just adds to the enjoyment. Something like this...E...I...E...I...OOOOOO. :joke:
I believe EI is for Estimative Index whereby one uses a maximum uptake of nutrients as a gauge against what you would fertilize during the week. You would perform weekly 50% water changes to "reset" the overdosed (or possibly overdosed) nutrients. Observing the plants will show you if you have a deficiency and you can adjust accordingly.
PPS is related to a monthly cycle...o.k., I don't know.
I believe EI is for Estimative Index whereby one uses a maximum uptake of nutrients as a gauge against what you would fertilize during the week. You would perform weekly 50% water changes to "reset" the overdosed (or possibly overdosed) nutrients. Observing the plants will show you if you have a deficiency and you can adjust accordingly.
PPS is related to a monthly cycle...o.k., I don't know.
Perpetual Preservation System (PPS), as I understand it) is based on uptake, but not resetting your water via large water changes. PPS utilizes constant parameter checking to maximize the amount of fertilizers in the water column, but does not require large weekly or biweekly water changes like EI.
I use EI myself because I am not afraid of my water bill, and I don't have the time to be checking 5-7 parameters on 4 tanks, every other day.
I use EI myself because I am not afraid of my water bill, and I don't have the time to be checking 5-7 parameters on 4 tanks, every other day.
EI relies more on water changes and estimating the ppm levels of nutrients: simple, not test kits needed.
PPS relies more on test kits/calibration of said test kits, generally fewwer water changes.
But both methods can use more or less water changes and both methods can use less more testing.
For new folks or folks with many tanks, EI is far simpler and effective when trying to solve algae or plant health problems.
I do EI and don't change the water on some tanks for 2-3 or more weeks.
If water changes are really and issue and if you really want to balance the tank, go non CO2.
No test kits and no testing and no water changes.
That is, if you really want to "balance" a tank.
I do all three but don't need the test kits unless I have a specific question that needs answered.
Why do all that testing and expense for a maintenance routine? It's a lot of work and it's more complicated to explain to new folks.
I'm not sure what is "new" about testing and adding nutrients as they are used up.
That's something I still don't understand nor have recieved and straight answer ever from anyone to date.
Regards,
Tom Barr
www.BarrReport.com
PPS relies more on test kits/calibration of said test kits, generally fewwer water changes.
But both methods can use more or less water changes and both methods can use less more testing.
For new folks or folks with many tanks, EI is far simpler and effective when trying to solve algae or plant health problems.
I do EI and don't change the water on some tanks for 2-3 or more weeks.
If water changes are really and issue and if you really want to balance the tank, go non CO2.
No test kits and no testing and no water changes.
That is, if you really want to "balance" a tank.
I do all three but don't need the test kits unless I have a specific question that needs answered.
Why do all that testing and expense for a maintenance routine? It's a lot of work and it's more complicated to explain to new folks.
I'm not sure what is "new" about testing and adding nutrients as they are used up.
That's something I still don't understand nor have recieved and straight answer ever from anyone to date.
Regards,
Tom Barr
www.BarrReport.com
Yikes! PPS sounds like a nightmare!!! I would say I use EI. I generally dose nutrients "blindly" but I do test a couple times a week just to be sure. I've only recently (6weeks) started doing bi-weekly water changes (from weekly) and so far so good.
I tried the add nothing regime and algae was going crazy!!!! Maybe I need to get the plants better established before going that route.
lousybreed said:
I've been using EI for a couple months to clear out the algae in my two tanks. It has been very successful and fairly simple which is what drew me to the system in the first place. The one algae I haven't beat yet is hair algae but it is fairly under control and hopefully with the addition of some Amano shrimps and continued maintenance I'll clear it out.
Bill