Post by jeremyh81 on Jan 11, 2010 21:02:43 GMT -6
Here's the fertilizer information that bunnie had sent me via email:
Estimative Index
Overview
The Estimative Index (EI) coined by Tom Barr is a straightforward method for providing nutrients for a planted tank. The idea behind EI is simply introducing an excess amount of nutrients within an aquarium, throughout the week. This excess of nutrients floods the water column and feeds the plants. This is an estimative method; measuring specific nutrient uptake rates is not necessary and no test kits are involved. EI provides a surplus of nutrients that helps to prevents plant deficiencies, and allows plant growth to out compete algae growth.
The process of which this is done is simple. Each day fertilizers are dosed, and the nutrients are absorbed by the plants. With this method being estimative, we can dose fertilizers according to general guidelines suited for our particular setup (see below). At the end of the week, one performs a 50% water change to ‘reset’ the nutrient load in the entire system. And then the entire dosing schedule is repeated.
The primary fertilizers are the macro nutrients - Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), and the micro nutrients – trace elements (Plantex CSM+B, Flourish). Iron (Fe) can also be supplemented if necessary.
The Estimative Index method works best for a high light and well planted aquarium. However it is not limited to lower light setups, smaller quantities of fertilizers should be dosed in those instances.
General Dosing Guideline for High Light and Well Planted Aquariums
(wolfenxxx)
40-60 Gallon Aquariums:
+/- 1/2 tsp KN03 (*Jeremy's note: potassium nitrate) 3x a week
+/- 1/8 tsp KH2P04 (*J's note: potassium dihydrogen phosphate?*) 3x a week
+/- 1/8 (10ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change
Note: K2SO4 (*J's note: potassium sulfate*) is not required for dosing unless you need the extra Potassium (K). This K is found in KN03 and KH2P04. Dosing these two according to above will yield sufficient K levels. Therefore, one will be fine dosing only KN03 and KH2P04, and Plantex. If one needs to increase their K levels with K2S04, add the same measured amount as KH2P04. For example, if one is dosing 1/2 tsp of KH2P04, then dose 1/2 tsp of K2S04. In true regards to EI, added excess K is not detrimental in any event.
EI target ranges
CO2 range 25-30 ppm
NO3 range 5-30 ppm
K+ range 10-30 ppm
PO4 range 1.0-2.0 ppm
Fe 0.2-0.5ppm or higher
GH range 3-5 degrees ~ 50ppm or higher
KH range 3-5
See APC’s Fertilator for additional dosing guides for Fe, Ca, Mg, etc.
Where to buy fertilizers?
I use www.greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizer.html I find the shipping to be fair, and the prices of the products are pretty universal. This is also a GREAT place to get CO2 regulator.
Orlando builds them himself and supports them really well.
Special Notes:
Providing optimal CO2 levels of at least 30 ppm are necessary for plants to prosper and out-compete algae. If algae issue arise, remove all visible algae and infected leaves. Recheck CO2 levels, and possibly reduce and adjust the lighting period.
Direct dry dosing into the tank is perfectly fine. Many dosing straight into the tank, or they dissolve each chemical in water before adding.
Here's the simplified version - 1 part KH2PO4, 1 part CSM+B, 3 parts KNO3, 1 part K2SO4. I only do about half of what the recipe calls for... For you, mix the dry ingredients, not all of them, just enough to fill a little bowl for ease... every morning, dump in about 1/8 of a teaspoon. Then do a significant 30% or more water change every week. Your plants won't suffer if you miss a day, as long as there isn't any algae that can use that day to take off.
For smaller or larger tanks, this may be adjusted.
Estimative Index
Overview
The Estimative Index (EI) coined by Tom Barr is a straightforward method for providing nutrients for a planted tank. The idea behind EI is simply introducing an excess amount of nutrients within an aquarium, throughout the week. This excess of nutrients floods the water column and feeds the plants. This is an estimative method; measuring specific nutrient uptake rates is not necessary and no test kits are involved. EI provides a surplus of nutrients that helps to prevents plant deficiencies, and allows plant growth to out compete algae growth.
The process of which this is done is simple. Each day fertilizers are dosed, and the nutrients are absorbed by the plants. With this method being estimative, we can dose fertilizers according to general guidelines suited for our particular setup (see below). At the end of the week, one performs a 50% water change to ‘reset’ the nutrient load in the entire system. And then the entire dosing schedule is repeated.
The primary fertilizers are the macro nutrients - Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), and the micro nutrients – trace elements (Plantex CSM+B, Flourish). Iron (Fe) can also be supplemented if necessary.
The Estimative Index method works best for a high light and well planted aquarium. However it is not limited to lower light setups, smaller quantities of fertilizers should be dosed in those instances.
General Dosing Guideline for High Light and Well Planted Aquariums
(wolfenxxx)
40-60 Gallon Aquariums:
+/- 1/2 tsp KN03 (*Jeremy's note: potassium nitrate) 3x a week
+/- 1/8 tsp KH2P04 (*J's note: potassium dihydrogen phosphate?*) 3x a week
+/- 1/8 (10ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change
Note: K2SO4 (*J's note: potassium sulfate*) is not required for dosing unless you need the extra Potassium (K). This K is found in KN03 and KH2P04. Dosing these two according to above will yield sufficient K levels. Therefore, one will be fine dosing only KN03 and KH2P04, and Plantex. If one needs to increase their K levels with K2S04, add the same measured amount as KH2P04. For example, if one is dosing 1/2 tsp of KH2P04, then dose 1/2 tsp of K2S04. In true regards to EI, added excess K is not detrimental in any event.
EI target ranges
CO2 range 25-30 ppm
NO3 range 5-30 ppm
K+ range 10-30 ppm
PO4 range 1.0-2.0 ppm
Fe 0.2-0.5ppm or higher
GH range 3-5 degrees ~ 50ppm or higher
KH range 3-5
See APC’s Fertilator for additional dosing guides for Fe, Ca, Mg, etc.
Where to buy fertilizers?
I use www.greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizer.html I find the shipping to be fair, and the prices of the products are pretty universal. This is also a GREAT place to get CO2 regulator.
Orlando builds them himself and supports them really well.
Special Notes:
Providing optimal CO2 levels of at least 30 ppm are necessary for plants to prosper and out-compete algae. If algae issue arise, remove all visible algae and infected leaves. Recheck CO2 levels, and possibly reduce and adjust the lighting period.
Direct dry dosing into the tank is perfectly fine. Many dosing straight into the tank, or they dissolve each chemical in water before adding.
Here's the simplified version - 1 part KH2PO4, 1 part CSM+B, 3 parts KNO3, 1 part K2SO4. I only do about half of what the recipe calls for... For you, mix the dry ingredients, not all of them, just enough to fill a little bowl for ease... every morning, dump in about 1/8 of a teaspoon. Then do a significant 30% or more water change every week. Your plants won't suffer if you miss a day, as long as there isn't any algae that can use that day to take off.
For smaller or larger tanks, this may be adjusted.
