Aquatic Plant Central - View Single Post

MatPat · 02-18-2006, 11:20 AM

Sounds like you may be using an AP NO3 kit. I wouldn't rely too much on the results since most kits get pretty inaccurate at the higher levels. Hell, I can't even read most kits once they get above 20ppm or so since the colors are so close together. It is also strange that your water would go from zero to 100+ppm of NO3 in a couple of weeks. Did you do a lot of substrate stirring when you planted the new plants?

There are dry forms of NO3 and PO4 along with most other chemicals at: http://www.gregwatson.com/DryAquaticFertilizers.asp We (SWOAPE) did a group order for some ferts a few months ago and we have some extra KNO3 and KH2PO4 we can sell you. The price would be what we paid for them, including the shipping. I can give you anywhere from 1/4lb of each to a full pound, depending on how much you want to try. I can give you some fert recommendations also.

If you would prefer to order the stuff yourself, you would want Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4) and Plantex CSM+B. Plantex supplies micro nutrients but is the most expensive of the three items. We (SWOAPE) do not have any extra CSM+B at this time so let me know if you plan on ordering some. I need some and I think another club member does also. Notice that both Potassium Nitrate and Mono Potassium Phosphae provide Potassium. Greg Sells Potassium Phosphate also but if you need some, I have about three pounds and would gladly sell you a pound since I don't use it

Holes in leaves, expecially slower growers like Anubias, is generally due to a shortage of potassium (K). Were you adding any K to the tank before? Fish food and waste usually don't supply much in the way of K, especially in high light tanks. The brown edges may be due to a NO3 deficiency but deficiencies should show up on other plants first since Anubias is such a slow grower! If you can take a pic of the plants that would probably help

If your fish are showing signs of stress, you may want to do a small (10-20-%) water change each day for the next couple of days. Avoid a big water change since you haven't done them on this tank. The fish may stress more from that than the high NO3 levels. The plants would benefit from some phosphorous and if they are deficient in PO4 the additon of it will cause them to increase their intake of NO3. An increase in K will do the same for the NO3 levels. Plants are much greater at removing NO3 and PO4 from the water than any chemical means. It will not be fast though. My tanks uses about 2ppm of NO3 per day. Some have been reported their tanks to use up to 5ppm per day, but this is a lot!

I hope I didn't confuse you with anything. If I did, just ask for more clarification!

02-18-2006, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
MatPat Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 3,819 iTrader Ratings: 34 iTrader Positive Rating: 100% Plant Points:	Sounds like you may be using an AP NO3 kit. I wouldn't rely too much on the results since most kits get pretty inaccurate at the higher levels. Hell, I can't even read most kits once they get above 20ppm or so since the colors are so close together. It is also strange that your water would go from zero to 100+ppm of NO3 in a couple of weeks. Did you do a lot of substrate stirring when you planted the new plants? There are dry forms of NO3 and PO4 along with most other chemicals at: http://www.gregwatson.com/DryAquaticFertilizers.asp We (SWOAPE) did a group order for some ferts a few months ago and we have some extra KNO3 and KH2PO4 we can sell you. The price would be what we paid for them, including the shipping. I can give you anywhere from 1/4lb of each to a full pound, depending on how much you want to try. I can give you some fert recommendations also. If you would prefer to order the stuff yourself, you would want Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4) and Plantex CSM+B. Plantex supplies micro nutrients but is the most expensive of the three items. We (SWOAPE) do not have any extra CSM+B at this time so let me know if you plan on ordering some. I need some and I think another club member does also. Notice that both Potassium Nitrate and Mono Potassium Phosphae provide Potassium. Greg Sells Potassium Phosphate also but if you need some, I have about three pounds and would gladly sell you a pound since I don't use it Holes in leaves, expecially slower growers like Anubias, is generally due to a shortage of potassium (K). Were you adding any K to the tank before? Fish food and waste usually don't supply much in the way of K, especially in high light tanks. The brown edges may be due to a NO3 deficiency but deficiencies should show up on other plants first since Anubias is such a slow grower! If you can take a pic of the plants that would probably help If your fish are showing signs of stress, you may want to do a small (10-20-%) water change each day for the next couple of days. Avoid a big water change since you haven't done them on this tank. The fish may stress more from that than the high NO3 levels. The plants would benefit from some phosphorous and if they are deficient in PO4 the additon of it will cause them to increase their intake of NO3. An increase in K will do the same for the NO3 levels. Plants are much greater at removing NO3 and PO4 from the water than any chemical means. It will not be fast though. My tanks uses about 2ppm of NO3 per day. Some have been reported their tanks to use up to 5ppm per day, but this is a lot! I hope I didn't confuse you with anything. If I did, just ask for more clarification!