torpedobarb

great article and really helpful

fastang80

Hi, do you really need to dose Ca and Mg if you have a GH value of 5-6? Thanks

hoppycalif

Since GH doesn't tell you whether you have zero magnesium or a lot of magnesium, it can be desirable to dose magnesium even with a GH of 5 degrees. I can find out how much I have, on average, in my tap water from my water quality report. The report also gives the range of values that might exist throughout the year. Since, my range can hit zero, I dose some epsom salts to be sure I have magnesium in the water.

fastang80

Hi, I am currently dosing MgSO4+7H2O (Epsom salts) following the PMDD formula, but I am still confuse on the fact that if I dose Mg and no Ca wouldn't that cause a Ca deficiency due to excess Mg compare to Ca. By the way I have soft water 3 KH tap water and I am not sure on the GH because my AP test kit does not seem to work, I've added over 25 drops of the reagent and no change in color, the only results I have are from a test strip that showed around 80 ppm, but we all know how unacurate those test strips really are. I am about to purchase some KH2PO4 Phosphate the missing component on the PMDD formula and I wanted to be sure I did not need any CaCO3. I appreciate you input on the subject. Thanks

Kaieisis

the aquariumfertilizer website is not working.
Is there other sites to get fertilizers?

Kypros

I just checked this link and it works
http://www.aquariumfertilizers.com/

you can also order dry ferts from Rexgrigg.com

good luck

Kaieisis

Oh, you're right. When i type it in it liks correctly.

The link listed in the original post under "Where to buy fertilizers?," does not work.

ray-the-pilot

Something doesn’t seem right with the EI dosing guides. For example:

For a 100 -125 gal tank
+/- 1 1/2 tsp KN03 3x a week
+/- ½ tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/- ½ tsp (30ml) Trace Elements 3x a week

When I use the fertilator and the values: 1 1/2 tsp KN03, 1/2 tsp KH2P04 and a 110 gal tank, I come up with these ppm increases:
NO3 11.49
PO4 4.69
K 9.18

Isn’t PO4 way too high?

Also 1/2 tsp is only 2.5 ml not 30 ml? Isn’t 30 ml of trace way to high?

hoppycalif

The numbers for trace elements are 1/2 tsp if dosed dry, or 30 ml of a mix of trace mix in water. I don't remember what the "standard" mix in water is, since I never do that.

ray-the-pilot

That make sense but the diluted formula calls for 3 tsp (1 tbl) dissolved in 250 ml.
That means adding 30 ml is too low:

3tsp/250ml x 30ml = 0.36 tsp.

I think you want to add 40 ml:
3tsp/250ml x 40ml = 0.48 tsp

I doubt this will make much of a difference.

Do you have any take on the PO4?