Freshwater

Wow...wow...wow....You guy's are truly a wealth of knowledge. I have been re-reading this thread trying to determine the direction I want to go.

Fertilizers - I will be placing an order for -

Plantex CSM+B

Potassium Nitrate KN03

Monopotassium Phosphate KH2P04

Potassium Sulphate K2S04

From Aquariumfertilizer.com.


I will also be adjusting my light schedule only using the 18 watt in the morning. Thanks guys for all your help. I will post an update in a few weeks to let you know my progress.


Thanks Pony Randy, Mike, Hoppy!! and Zapins!!!


Todd

thefishmanlives

your on the right track with the ferts. Youll see a nice increase in growth and plant quality once you get your routine in line

Freshwater

A quick update:

I received my dry fert's quickly and in very good condition. I have only started to dose K2S04 once a week for added potassium (1/16 tsp.). And have increased my Seachem Iron, Trace, and flourish to 3 cc's a day. I am using up the last of the seachem line I have and then will be mixing up the dry ferts.

I have been very pleased with the growth in the tank. I have been on vacation for 2 weeks, my roommate has been dosing my tank with pre-filled syringes. I didn't want to change too many things while being gone. Though I was back for one day to do some quick checks on the tank after the first week.

(edit remark... The foreground H.M. was trimmed on July 11th, it's growing a little too fast)

July 2nd (same as first post)


July 28th


This tank is still my learning tank, and I am very pleased with my results. Though I think it looks more like a grow-out tank at the moment, I need to move quite a bit of my plants around... but that will be for another thread.

Thanks everyone on the APC forums!!! This is where I got hooked Wait...isn't that like thanking my dealer?!?! (Looking for the empty wallet Icon)


Todd

Freshwater

I would like to have someone confirm my mixing ratio for CSM+B. From what I gleaned off of Tom's sight I should be mixing Approx. 1 Tablespoon of CSM+B for 250 ML of distilled water....Correct? This would then allow me to does similar volume as Seachem trace...correct? 3cc a day for a 29 gallon tank.

I would also assume that if the above is correct, that I would then discontinue using Seachem Iron. Any thoughts on adding the Hydrochloric acid? And if yes, at what quantities for 250 MLs. Does the final solution still need to be refrigerated if Acid is added?


Thanks again guys



Todd

Freshwater

And the re-scape.... Still looking for an answer on mixing the CSM+B....thanks
[IMG][/IMG]

Tex Gal

Looking much better. I think you're getting the hang of it.

hoppycalif

That is really a beautiful aquascape now! You will have to be very careful to avoid growing a crop of BBA on the upper parts of the wood - that part is very close to the lights, so it gets very high light intensity, just what BBA likes. I speak from my own sad experience.

Freshwater

Thanks Tex Gal....Having so much fun with this process.



Hoppy, thank you, I'll be sure and keep an eye out for that. The only algae I have (noticeable) is some hair algae in the H.M. I just picked up some Amano shrimp, hopefully they will help with the hair algae.


Still looking for someone....(Hoppy) who can reassure me of my mixing of the CMS+B.



Not sure why I'm having such a difficult time figuring out the dry fert's routine. I think I'm getting over loaded with info.


Thanks all....

Todd

hoppycalif

I recall, with my faulty memory, that 1 tablespoon of CSM+B per 250 ml of water has been the recommendation for some time, and it was intended to be such that you could dose it in the same amounts as the liquid trace mixes then available. I tried to find Greg Watson's writeup about CSM, and couldn't, but Rex Grigg's website says to use that mix, so it is probably the right one.

I have seen posts here about adding a bit of acid to the trace mix, but I thought it was citric acid, not hydrochloric. You should be able to find the posts about it without too much difficulty by searching this forum.

Freshwater

Hi all...

A little update - It's been about a few month since I began dosing dry fert's. And WOW!!! I am very happy. I've gone through the algae growth and won, I think I have stopped killing shrimp. The tank has become more stable. I am very happy.

So what next? start adding harder to grow red plants. I added a red Rotala, and a red LUDWIGIA I believe. The store at which I buy them did not specify unfortunately. Both of which are now turning green. I would like to grow some nice reds, Some Limnophila aromatica, and Ludwigia repens, but not if I can't get reds out of what I have. Any thoughts?

Here are my spec's -

29 gallons 3.3 w/g
96 watts T5HO 2x 10k - 1x pink plant bulb. 1x 6700k
10 hour photo period
Co2 2-3 B/min. Co2 reactor inline
Eheim 2236

Sunday / Tuesday / Thursday

KNO3 1/2 Tsp.
K2SO4 1/4 Tsp.
KH2PO4 1/16

CSM+B 1/16

Monday / Wednesday / Friday

CSM+B solution 3/ml (1 tbsp into 250 ml deionized water)

Sunday 40% water change Saturday rest.

The pictures, shot quickly last night

[IMG][/IMG]



[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]


Any advise would be greatly appreciated.


Thank You

Todd