http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc Science of Aquatic Fertilizing - Discuss fertilizing techniques and proper aquatic plant nutrition here. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:18:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/images/apc/misc/rss.jpg http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66747-sparse-leaf-growth.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:42:04 GMT Hey, after a few troubles with my tank i got everything under control and now I have had a film algea outbreak, and some noticable plant deformations. Older leaves tend to become rotted/overrun with algea, while the new growth has sparse leaf density. I get good STEM growth, but the leaves do not fill in. tank is a 20L w 2x24 watt t5s hos with diy co2. drop checker is green most of time, yellow in the moring. I have been dosing flourish comprehensive about 3 ml everyday, along with 2ml kent iron and magnanese. which has 3% pottasium and 1% iron. fish load is VERY high(40+ fish) and nitrates are around 30ppm. the only thing i can think of is high phosphates. what could cause this wierd growth Hey, after a few troubles with my tank i got everything under control and now I have had a film algea outbreak, and some noticable plant deformations. Older leaves tend to become rotted/overrun with algea, while the new growth has sparse leaf density. I get good STEM growth, but the leaves do not fill in. tank is a 20L w 2x24 watt t5s hos with diy co2. drop checker is green most of time, yellow in the moring. I have been dosing flourish comprehensive about 3 ml everyday, along with 2ml kent iron and magnanese. which has 3% pottasium and 1% iron. fish load is VERY high(40+ fish) and nitrates are around 30ppm. the only thing i can think of is high phosphates. what could cause this wierd growth ]]> Fertilizing addicted2reefin http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66747-sparse-leaf-growth.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66700-low-ph-kh.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:18:39 GMT My tank has pressurized CO2 and 3 WPG lighting. My Ph is 6.2-6.4 and my tap water is Ph 7.4, KH 0. I've been increasing KH to about 60 ppm with Tailored Aquatics Alkalinity Up (local product). But this really pushes me to limit my water changes since it has such a huge effect. I'm looking for a way of increasing my Ph to about 6.6-6.8, but worry that with low KH, a power outage might mean a deadly swing to my fish.

I've heard of many ways, Baking Soda (which apparently has poor buffering), Argonite (which seemed only useful in large quantities ie: substrate), Crushed Coral (which seemed like it had only little effect), Dolomite etc.

I currently dose with Tailored Aquatics series, which pushes up my GH with one of the ferts (includes potassium, calcium and magnesium in one) so I only need to focus on KH.

Is there any way that would be best in my situation where my tap water has such low KH? Or would just adding KH buffer chemicals be best? ]]> Fertilizing ncutler http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66700-low-ph-kh.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66660-copper-phosphate-test-kits-really-required.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:16:58 GMT Is there a cost-effective alternative to monitoring these levels for the 'aquarist-on-a-budget'? ]]> Fertilizing Jiggs http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66660-copper-phosphate-test-kits-really-required.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66659-liquid-tablets.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:50:25 GMT Whats better Luquid or Tablet ferts? Whats better Luquid or Tablet ferts? ]]> Fertilizing mycross3 http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66659-liquid-tablets.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66632-nutrafin-ca-test-kit.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:26:52 GMT I have a Nutrafin Ca test kit, but when following directions, it only will show Ca levels down to 20ppm. Does anyone know if you can use this test kit, change the amount of water tested, and be able to alter the test parameters? For example, the test says to fill tube with 5ml of water and then perform test, but could I fill to 10ml and would this give me accuracy down to 10ppm per drop added? I know this works with some tests, but wondering if anyone smarter than me (most on here :() would know with regards to this specific test? I have a Nutrafin Ca test kit, but when following directions, it only will show Ca levels down to 20ppm. Does anyone know if you can use this test kit, change the amount of water tested, and be able to alter the test parameters? For example, the test says to fill tube with 5ml of water and then perform test, but could I fill to 10ml and would this give me accuracy down to 10ppm per drop added? I know this works with some tests, but wondering if anyone smarter than me (most on here :() would know with regards to this specific test? ]]> Fertilizing Bryeman http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66632-nutrafin-ca-test-kit.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66539-high-ph-kh.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:58:50 GMT I have a 50 gallon tank which has had fish in it for a month. I now have 23 fish ranging from Barbs to Ottos, with just a few Java fern bunches for plants. I have a big shipment of plants coming in this week (30 plants), and my DIY CO2 system is now 50% running (1 of my 2 reactors are going). My pH is at least 7.6, possibly higher, my kit only measures that high. My KH is at 9 degrees, or about 150 ppm. I want to lower both of those, since I think most of my fish prefer a pH around 7 and a KH around 6 or lower. Any suggestions for lowering those two factors? I have a 50 gallon tank which has had fish in it for a month. I now have 23 fish ranging from Barbs to Ottos, with just a few Java fern bunches for plants. I have a big shipment of plants coming in this week (30 plants), and my DIY CO2 system is now 50% running (1 of my 2 reactors are going).

My pH is at least 7.6, possibly higher, my kit only measures that high. My KH is at 9 degrees, or about 150 ppm. I want to lower both of those, since I think most of my fish prefer a pH around 7 and a KH around 6 or lower.

Any suggestions for lowering those two factors? ]]> Fertilizing Tezak http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66539-high-ph-kh.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66527-co2-regulator-issue.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:01:09 GMT HI
I decided to put away my current DIY CO2 and replace it with injected CO2.
So i did, I bought the tank (5 Lb.), designed my own reactor (powerhead with modified gravel vacuum), and bought the regulator with solenoid and bubble counter.
Everything seemed to be fined, until the day after the initial installation,i set 3 bubbles per second on the first day but when i woke up the following morning no bobbles were coming, so i turn it up a bit and the bubbles came back. yet, in the evening (the same day) the bubbles simply stopped:confused:
I adjusted it again that evening, and in the following morning when the timer turned on the solenoid, the bubbles simply went bananas; a stream of uncontrollable bubbles ( I would say 20+ bubbles per/ second).
What should i do? help?

Also, the needle valve is set to full open, when I adjust the bubbles, I make very small adjustments to the main knob on the regulator. I move it in the 30 second intervals until I reach the desired bubble count. The needle valve is set full open... Also, the valve on the Co2 tank is fully open. I'm using regular airline check valve, i know it's not suitable for Co2, I'll replace it as soon as the brass check valve comes in.
this is the regulator, http://www.marineandreef.com/Milwauk...p/rmi00957.htm ]]> Fertilizing Bullguy87 http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66527-co2-regulator-issue.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66513-looking-pps-documents.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:42:43 GMT Hi all,

I have been a PPS-Pro user for some time, my current setup requires a more detailed approach though. I've read up on PPS-Classic some time ago, but now much of the information Edward left on APC is gone.

Does anyone have the below files on there computer?

I understand there are many, many dosing methods. I have already initiated my change to the Classic method. This may change in the future to another dosing method, but for now... just looking for the documents.

Items in RED I have...

PPS-Classic Article Summary

How to test for Nitrates and Phosphates

Nitrates Phosphates and Potassium the NPK Relationship

Water hardness, Magnesium and Calcium

Carbonate Hardness, Potential Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide. The KH, pH CO2 relationship

Trace Elements (TE)

FAQ.PPS-Classic.pdf

FAQ.PPS-Classic.doc

PPS-Classic.Analysis.20050412.xls

PPS-Classic.Dosing

How to make Solutions

Advanced PPS-Classic Calculator for Aquatic Plants

Thank you in advance, and thank you "wkndracer" for the files I do have!

Todd ]]> Fertilizing Freshwater http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66513-looking-pps-documents.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66126-apc-s-fertilator-question.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:18:45 GMT I try to use APC’s Fertilator to calculate how much CaSO4 and MgSO4 I should add. But it only has options like (CaSO4)2.H2O and MgSO4.7.H2O. Are they the same? I try to use APC’s Fertilator to calculate how much CaSO4 and MgSO4 I should add. But it only has options like (CaSO4)2.H2O and MgSO4.7.H2O. Are they the same? ]]> Fertilizing inwu http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66126-apc-s-fertilator-question.html http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66111-question-about-fertilizer.html Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:33:17 GMT Has anyone used the PMDD Pre-Mix from Planted Aquarium Fertilizer? Would that be a complete fertilizer to use for my 75 planted aquarium? I am using Flourish Excel right now. I can not use a CO2 device. Any suggestions as to a good fertilizer to use would be appreciated. TIA, Has anyone used the PMDD Pre-Mix from Planted Aquarium Fertilizer? Would that be a complete fertilizer to use for my 75 planted aquarium? I am using Flourish Excel right now.

I can not use a CO2 device. Any suggestions as to a good fertilizer to use would be appreciated.

TIA, ]]> Fertilizing bookpage http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilizing/66111-question-about-fertilizer.html