[blang]

I just purchased all the ingredients but still have Flourish and Iron that I would like to use up before I start on the CSM+B. Do I dose the Macro solution everyday and then the Flourish and Iron as instructed by Seachem? I also add excel everyday.

In addition, I do a 30 percent water change every three weeks. My tank is fully stocked with fish and a the tank has a medium load of plants. The WPG is 2.4 but it is a 90 gallon tall so it is probably less.

 

[Edward]

Hi
The manufacturer dosing recommendation should work.

 

[blang]

Thanks for your reply, I can't wait to start. One last question. Because of my fish load and medium plant load, should I start out with half of the dose or full?

 

[Edward]

Hi
Usually I say, if you can see substrate you don't have enough plants. In fact your aquarium has fewer plants and more fish now so you should monitor NO3 levels weekly. These levels will tell you how polluted water is and do water changes accordingly to clean it up. For the fertilizer dosing quantity, if you think you have about half of the plant mass you could dose just half. But with high fish load I rather fertilize 100% per aquarium size to support plants and keep NO3 down with water changes.

 

[blang]

Thanks. I really don't want to do water changes more than my three week schedule so I will probably start out dosing at 50%. I will test weekly and if the nitrates stay under control, then I will slowly increase. Of course, I may have to make a choice if my plants start "screaming" for food.

Thanks for all your help. I am very excited to see how my tank progresses and will keep you posted.

 

[blang]

I did my first nitrate test and it is through the roof. I am going to do a water change today.

I started out doing half dose and then decided after a couple of days to take your advice and do full dose. I also removed the phosphate remover that I had been using for the last couple of years.

I am going to try to do half dose every other day and then test nitrates again in a week.

 

[blang]

Edward, I did some more research and noticed this post of yours:

"1. Put your PPS-Pro #1 macro solution on hold. Mix a new #1 macro solution without NO3 and PO4 like this, in 1 litre dissolve K2SO4 110 grams, KNO3 0 grams, KH2PO4 0 grams, MgSO4 41 grams. Need to use RO or distilled water because this solution is already at 91% of maximum solubility. Dose this new #1 solution with the existing #2 TE solution as prescribed but don’t let your aquarium NO3 or PO4 drop to zero for long. Once a week testing is adequate."

Would you recommend this rather than cutting my dosing like I indicated above?

 

[Edward]

Hi
See, it was an attempt to compensate for polluted tap water, too high fish load and inadequate plant mass. It failed. There is no hope where fish waste generates more pollution like NO3 and PO4 then plants can uptake. One dandelion can't handle one elephant. There must be some kind of a biological balance to keep levels under control.

So, fertilize as described because that's what plants need and anything extra from fish waste minus plant's luxury uptake needs to be flushed away by water changes.

Thank you
Edward