Estimative Index Dosing Guide - Page 11 - Fertilizing

Vadimshevchuk · 10-27-2009, 07:05 PM

my light is only on for 6 hrs. i think i get it from dosing leaf zone cuz when i stop it dissapears

noob question... waht are trace elements?

Seattle_Aquarist · 10-27-2009, 07:20 PM

Hi Vadimshevchuk,

Plants need three basic (macro) nutrients: Nitrogen (Nitrates);
Potassium; and Phosphorus

Plants also need other nutrients in smaller amounts (micro nutrients or trace elements) for proper growth: Iron, Magnesium, Maganese, zinc, copper, boron, Molybdenum, and calcium.

LOL.....aren't you glad you asked??!!

Vadimshevchuk · 10-28-2009, 03:32 AM

Yea! thanks seattle aquarist!

Vadimshevchuk · 10-28-2009, 03:33 AM

Yea, thanks so much seattle aquarist! So if im gonna order dry ferts what should i order including the iron and such. thanks so much for all answers.

Vadimshevchuk · 10-28-2009, 04:04 PM

http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/in...ditU=1&Regit=2

Im gonna be ordering off this website. Im gonna order 6. So wich should i go with? im gonna use it on a 29 gallon and its medium planted. So should i get .5lbs or 1 lbs. thanks so much for all asnwers.

well i got and added the top three to my cart, what do i add for trace elements?

Vadimshevchuk · 10-28-2009, 04:06 PM

also do i need to use gh booster since my water is very hard?

rich815 · 10-28-2009, 04:13 PM

Load up with more plants, stems if you can. That will do more to get rid of your algae issues than ferts will.

Just order KH2PO4 and KNO3 (and CSM+B if you do not have anything else for micros). You'll get enough Potassium from those too and do not need to dose it separately. If your water is hard you should not need any GH Booster. And really do not need iron, there should be enough in the CSM+B but some people like to dose extra anyway.

Seattle_Aquarist · 10-28-2009, 04:31 PM

Hi Vadimshevchuk,

I use the following: KNO3; K2SO4; KH2PO4; CSM+B; and Chelated Iron. A half a pound will probably last you a year or more, if it is available that way get it. I use small plastic bottles for my everyday needs and store my "extra" ferts in a cool, dry, location. You should not need a GH/DH booster if you have average or hard water.

Vadimshevchuk · 10-28-2009, 04:38 PM

alright thanks everyone. I am not excited for 50% water changes each week =/

Kamon · 11-04-2009, 11:01 PM

I use this:

29 Gallon Aquarium
+/- ¼ tsp KN03 3x a week
+/- 1/16 tsp KH2P04 3x a week
5ml of Flourish 3x a week
50% weekly water change

Instead of using Flourish, would it be better if I used the CSM+B for trace elements?

Another thing, how does everyone dose their fertz into the tank? Do you simply measure out 1/4tsp of KNO3 and dump it into the aquarium?