turbomkt

Actually, KNO3 and KH2PO4 won't cause any problems. What you need to avoid are mixing KH2PO4 and your iron (Fe) source. The two will precipitate out in some cases.

Are you sure you saw that on Rex's site? I didn't find that phrase on there.

ColdServings

Apologies if this has been covered and I just missed it, but is there any real reason not to use half the recommended amounts 6 days a week rather than the recommended amounts 3 days a week-- so long as you don't let strong concentrations of phosphate and iron mix.

It seems to me that that would be a simpler to keep track of.

hoppycalif

There is no magic in dosing 3X a week, alternating between macros and micros, and letting the tank rest one day, then changing 50% of the water. You could have problems trying to dose a high light intensity tank only once a week - there is a good chance of running short of some nutrients that way. But, dosing daily, by dividing up the weeks total for each nutrient into sevenths, is a good way to do EI dosing. It also isn't necessarily bad to dose the iron containing micros the same day you dose the phosphate containing macros. The problem is when you mix those in a bottle so you can dose one pre-mix of all of the nutrients. Then the iron and phosphate will combine leaving an insoluble precipitate.

I have switched to the daily dosing method, using a premix of the macro nutrients, and one of the micro nutrients. I dose one at the right end of the tank and the other a few seconds later at the left end of the tank. My plants continue to grow.

Jeff.:P:.

Hello,
I need some help here. I picked up some ferts from Greg Watson, and I'm switching over from the Seachem line (more control issue). I would like to get 16 oz. PUMP bottles and have these items pre-mixed. I purchased a pound of the following; KN03, FE, K2S04, KH2P04, GH Builder, CSM+B Plantex.

How much would I need to pre-mix with a 16 oz. bottle for EI schedule below? Also can I mix any of these items together or do I need individual containers for each fert.? Then once I have it all mixed-up how many pumps a week would I need to do? (is that dependent on how much volume the pump dispels?)

A kick in the right direction would be excellent.

Thanks for the help in advance..

p.s. would it be easier if I used a different sized bottle for the pump (i.e. 8 oz. , 32 oz. ?)


1/4Tsp-KN03 3x a week
1/16+Tsp-KH2P04 3x aweek
1/16+Tsp K2S04 3x a week
5ml Trace 3x a week
1-2ml Fe/Iron 3x a week

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-

John N.

Mike is correct,

• Adding KNO3 and KH2PO4 together will not cause problems. The above statement is mistaken when dosing in large bodies of water such as an aquarium. In small containers you might have an issue.

• Adding KH2PO4 and Fe (from traces) can cause a precipitate (white powder) to come out of solution. This chelated iron precipitate is now no longer available to the water column, and must now be taken up from the roots where the powder will settle.

• Mixing macro elements and trace elements in the same bottle forms a highly concentrated and volatile solution of chemicals in a small amount of water (500ml). This could result in precipitation, cloudy and ineffective mixtures. That's why we shouldn't mix the chemicals together in a small container.

Bottom line with dosing together: When dosing the chemicals (macro and micro) in our aquariums together, you won't have a problem because they are now in a very diluted solution. However to prevent any precipitation (cloudiness), we can dose macro and micros on off days so that each are consumed before the introduction of the other.

-John N.

morta_skuld

will it also precipitate when traces and iron is mixed with kno3?

I had time to see the fertilator and im still digesting some of it hehehe. Anyway. can i put mgso4 and caco3 every time i put the macro. Or i will dose it on a different occasion say once or twice a week? Just a newbie question.

turbomkt

Fe and KNO3 should be fine. As for MgSO4 and CaCO3, what are your goals? You should be fine adding it with water changes and that's it.

morta_skuld

thanks man!

nswhite

Wow this is a very good thread. Short and sweet and straight to the point.

eklikewhoa

here's a link to rex's site and its in bright red at the bottom where he states the above. Rex's Guide to Dosing Dry Ferts