root tabs??? - Page 2 - Fertilizing

cbwmn · 06-24-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtchef

Anyone else like pferts and will this be better than just using flourish? I think I may order this weekend

Check out either PPS or EI fertiliztion on this board.
I buy from www.aquariumfertilizer.com

Charles

vtchef · 06-27-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbwmn

Check out either PPS or EI fertiliztion on this board.
I buy from www.aquariumfertilizer.com

Charles

So is peftz no good?

Aquaticz · 06-28-2009, 07:12 AM

All of the methods work. They all work off the same basic principles.

bradac56 · 06-29-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtchef

So is peftz no good?

PPS and EI are great diy dosing systems but you have to mix and measure everything on your own and you need to futz with the mixtures until you get them right for your tank(s) so it depends on how much time and effort the extra $$ savings are to you.

I use PPS-Pro on big tanks but pfertz/Excel on smaller tanks just to save the money as I wouldn't want to buy anything for a 100+ gallon tank that comes pre-mixed (I do use pfertz bottles for my pps mix cuz I'm lazy).

It's just what system you like the most as Tom Barr has pretty much proven that any of the major systems can produce good plant growth if done correctly.

- Brad

vtchef · 06-29-2009, 10:10 PM

I think since its only a 20g i am working with i will give pfertz a try.

chanchan · 07-30-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtchef

I think since its only a 20g i am working with i will give pfertz a try.

not sure if this will get answered but how did it work out for you? Im about to take the plunge.

Tex Gal · 08-04-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradac56

PPS and EI are great diy dosing systems but you have to mix and measure everything on your own and you need to futz with the mixtures until you get them right for your tank(s) so it depends on how much time and effort the extra $$ savings are to you.
- Brad

I dose the ferts as dry powder. I never mix it up with water. I don't see any use to it. My plants grow like crazy. My fish are fine. Why do all that measuring and mixing. Dry dosing is cheap, easy to store and easy to measure. Seems like a winner on all accounts.

bradac56 · 08-05-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex Gal

I dose the ferts as dry powder. I never mix it up with water. I don't see any use to it. My plants grow like crazy. My fish are fine. Why do all that measuring and mixing. Dry dosing is cheap, easy to store and easy to measure. Seems like a winner on all accounts.

Because you might want to dose something besides the standard KN03/KH2P04/K2S04 and in different doses.

Normally I dry dose my NPK but for half of my tanks I'm using pfertz.com's "M" for trace and the other half is CSM+B as a control test to see which one I like better.

- Brad

bosmahe1 · 08-07-2009, 06:55 AM

I use dry ferts as well. No pre-mixing, I just dump 2 dashes (2 x 1/8 teaspoon) of KNO3 and 1 smidgeon of CSM+B (1/32 teaspoon) into the tank daily. At water change time (2 x 30% per week), I at a smidgeon of KH2P04. I don't add micros when adding KH2P04, that would be pointless.

Using the Fertilator I figured this adds about 13.74 ppm Nitrate, 8.9 ppm Potassium, 1.5 ppm Iron and .7 ppm Phosphate between water changes. I don't add more phosphate because I don't get GSA and I feed the fish generously.

I no longer test for these nutrients because calibrating the kits just wouldn't be fun for me.

For me simplicity is:

2 dashes KNO3 and I smidgeon CSM+B daily
1 smidgeon KH2PO4 at water change time

And the best thing is, I spent about $15.00 on the chemicals about 2 years ago.