Beginner at work Part 2

[freezze]

Saturdays: 50% WC, KNO3 + KH2PO4 + Seachem Potassium ?

just wann to know do u water change on every sat? issit necessary to change 50% of water every week

[grey_fox]

Hey freezze,

Yes, I do a 50% water change every Saturday, this is to remove any excess trace of chemicals as well as NH4 (Ammonia build up due to deritus, food, etc), if you intend to practise E.I, this is recommended.

Are you currently practising E.I or going to practise?

[freezze]

wat is E.I ? endurance Instruction?

[grey_fox]

LOL, E.I stands for Estimative Index, an almost "no needed test kit" needed solution for your fertilization regime for your plants.

I stand by it as it worked wonders for my tank

If you need help, let me know, will be more than willing to help you out on this.

You can read more about E.I from Tom Barr's, Barr Report - http://www.barrreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1

[freezze]

presently i only dosing 1.5 tablespn of Kno3 every alternate day..

issit sufficient?

[grey_fox]

Wah 1.5 tablespoons of KNO3?? How big is your tank? For my 5 footer (107 US Gallon/407 litres), I only use 5 ml or 1 teaspoon of KNO3 every other day.

You are missing the following
KH2PO4 (Monobasic Phosphate - you can use Fleet Enema as a replacement, buy this from the local Pharmacy)
Fe (Iron - you can get Flourish Iron)
K (Potassium - this you already have in the Potassium Nitrate you add (KNO3) or you can get Flourish Potassium)
Traces (mg, ca, etc, etc) - you can get Flourish for this or Lushgro Aqua.

I suggest you use APC's fertilator (calculator) or if you need help, provide me your tank's volume and I will help you calculate.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...fertilator.php

[freezze]

should be 1.5 teaspn.. always mix up the tea n the table...

Phosphate? i got a bottle of phosphate.. cos last time i add into the tank, i kann bga the next day...

iron ? also encounter hair algae after dosing..
maybe i add wrong dose??

i having a 3ft tank (should be 3ftx1.5"x1.5")
Lighting is 4T5 (39wx4)
lighting schedule is 3 hrs - 2front, 4hrs - all, 3hrs - 2back.
u can see this for my tank setup.

[grey_fox]

Yo bro, you tank is a 50.5 US Gallon tank.

1.5 tps of KNO3 = 25.02PPM of NO3 which is really high... if you multiply this by 3 (alternate days) 75.06PPM per week.

Aim for 0.5 tps of KNO3 during each session which will bring the NO3 levels to 8.34PPM (x3) = 25.02PPM (safe for your fishes)

Phosphates do not cause BGA you got to dose a little only... for your tank, does along with your KNO3, 0.05tps 0.25ML to attain only 0.87PPM during each session. Your PPM per week (multiply x 3) will be 2.61PPM

Please note that if you should follow this, ensure that you do the 50% WC each week.

You may follow the schedule that I have for a rough guideline or modify it to your tank's specifications. E.I is loosely based on estimative figures and in some cases, O.Ding the chemicals are ok, but not an overdose like 75.06PPM. Tom Barr mentioned that anything above 40PPM can be harmful to your fauna's health.

A rough guideline would be the following.

Monday: Dose KNO3 + KH2PO4 (can be subsituted with fleet enema)
Tuesday: Dose Traces + Iron
Wednesday: Dose KNO3 + KH2PO4
Thursday: Dose Traces + Iron
Friday: Dose KNO3 + KH2PO4
Saturday: Dose Traces + Iron
Sunday: 50-70% WC (depending on you), dose KNO3+KH2PO4+Potassium

And the cycle resets itself and begins a new week. I do the W.C on Saturdays due to my work schedule. Sundays = Family day for me, so Saturday mornings are the best time for me to spend more time on the maintainence portion.

Think for the time being, best to let your water/tank cycle first. Maybe wait a few days before beginning the regime. NO3 and PO4 does not cause algae outbreaks, only NH4 (Ammonia) from fish waste, decaying food/plant material can cause an algae outbreak.

I learnt this the hard way btw. Now I can safely say my tank is free from algae, finally.

**Sorry for not being able to complete my post to you earlier bro, was rushing to leave the office before I need to attend another mgmt meeting**

[StanChung]

Ok guys. After being introduced to E.I and all the helpful advise I've received. I have decided to take the next step but before I do so, I will need some advise first....

1. Do you think I should do a major rescape of the tank? (or is this too ambitious of me?)
2. What sort of theme is nice? ( I prefer natural themes - like one of the Amano tank layouts - I know its miles away to replicate it totally but you get what I mean yeah?)
3. Anyone wanna help me out on this?
4. What sort of plants should I get or keep (existing) for a natural lookint theme?

I have the lightings and the filters and fert regime right already, just need an idea for a proper layout and advise on this.

too ambitious?

well you have to decide first whether you want a jungle or a zen style or dutch style or whatever that tickles you...
each style has it's good points and bad points. remember, do some research on the aquascapes you like trying out. growing the plants is only half the job...[the science part]

[grey_fox]

well you have to decide first whether you want a jungle or a zen style or dutch style or whatever that tickles you...
each style has it's good points and bad points. remember, do some research on the aquascapes you like trying out. growing the plants is only half the job...[the science part]

Yo bro, I've decided to let the plants grow first and do minor shifting and scaping first. I will be shifting out of my current place (staying with parents at the moment) in about 2 years time. So that will be when I will do the major scape/overhaul.

In the mean time I will soak/absorb all the knowledge I can about aquascaping first

Besides I am an uncreative person

[Goondoo]

Yo bro, I've decided to let the plants grow first and do minor shifting and scaping first. I will be shifting out of my current place (staying with parents) in about 2 years time. So that will be when I will do the major scape/overhaul.

In the mean time I will soak/absorb all the knowledge I can about aquascaping first

Besides I am an uncreative person

Good move

[grey_fox]

Good move

Hehe yeah enough time for me to do a thorough layout plan and since minor changes, experimentation of different plants species will be tested on, I guess when the time comes I can re-use the species that I want for the major rescape.

By the way, any idea where can I get big DW from? The LFS I frequent sells puny ones... would love ones that can have a few branches extend all the way near the water surface... Length wise probably 1-2 feet would be good



On my shopping list (for future use of course)

Nice big DW (maybe two medium sized ones)
12 bags of seachem onyx (if new substrate should be used)

Hemianthus callitrichoides ''Cuba'' will be my chosen lawn in future I have also drawn a layout that will be used in future, will post the image file up when I am home, must act busy now cos in the office hehe.

[|squee|]

Big driftwood? Plant farms are the only choice.

[grey_fox]

Only at Teos?

[Goondoo]

Only at Teos?

I think teo provide one of the best choices I have seen. However, I don't really like to buy driftwood there as I always had a hard time perfecting my imagination....
I could easily spend 4-5 hours there just playing with the wood like Lego.

[grey_fox]

should I use huge rocks?

[Goondoo]

Try Sungei Seletar Reservoir
Lotsa granite there for you to TRY....

[grey_fox]

bro, seriously, what style would you choose?

[Goondoo]

I am returning to the 70s....

Always wanted to make a full riccia tank with cories diving into them...

(actually, my wife is demanding for it...)

[ranmasatome]

Grey Fox.. if you need rocks i have about 3-4 large pieces for a 4 ft if you like..
i'm just in a rocky mood now... so most of my tanks are rockéd..haha.. but driftwood i feel is more...errrr... natural?? its something aboud wod taht i love... not so hard and Zen looking... more warm...i guess..