EI Method using Lush-gro Series

[z_z]

Anyone using the EI method with lush-gro aqua and micro? What should the regime be for a 50 gallon (3 ft) tank?

-----------------------------updated 13th October 2008---------------------------------------------------
Hi all

I did some calculations based on the figures given by tom barr for 50 gallon tanks (http://www.barrreport.com/estimative...chy-folks.html). Here is my dosing regime:

Weekly
Lushgro Aqua 10 ml x3 (gives 10ppm nitrate and 17ppm potassium)
KH2PO4 1/8 ts x3 (gives 2ppm phosphate)
Lushgro Micro 10ml x 3 (is this too much?)
Seachem Equilibrium every water change

Other info:
WPG - 3.12
CO2 - 30ppm

Livestock:
20 x Celestial Pearl Danio
7 x Cherry Barb
5 x Otos
20 x Cherrys
4 x Yamatos

My tank suddenly had an outbreak of BGA and hair algae. Decided to up CO2 from ~20ppm to 30 ppm. Found that sunlight was reaching my tank and I had to block it out in the afternoon. The hair algae disappeared but BGA persisted. I did a full blackout for 3 days. BGA gone. Will stick with my fert regime.

Hope this helps with people just starting out with lushgro. I will be updating the thread...

[taz_boy]

i am dosing 2x 20ml for my 3ft per week.

that will roughly help me achieve around 9ppm of Nitrate; 14.5ppm of K

recommended target by EI method is :

NO3 range 5-30ppm
K+ range 10-30ppm

[z_z]

Thanks. Do you use lush-gro micro or other trace fertilizers?

[juggler]

Thanks. Do you use lush-gro micro or other trace fertilizers?

Currently I am using a product from Dr Mallick similar to Lushgro Micros. Called Rexolin APN and cheaper too. On top of that I dose K2SO4 and KH2PO4.

[taz_boy]

Thanks. Do you use lush-gro micro or other trace fertilizers?

yes..i use micro also + another bottle of i think H2PO4 for phosphate dosing

[z_z]

Hi all

I did some calculations based on the figures given by tom barr for 50 gallon tanks (http://www.barrreport.com/estimative...chy-folks.html):

Weekly
Lushgro Aqua 10 ml x3 (gives 10ppm nitrate and 17ppm potassium)
KH2PO4 1/8 ts x3 (gives 2ppm phosphate)
Lushgro Micro 10ml x 3 (is this too much?)
Seachem Equilibrium every water change

Hope this helps with people just starting out with lushgro. I will be updating the thread...

[ct13]

I bought the 1Kg packing of Lush-gro KH2PO4 today after Reading the dozing on the container: 10g to 100litres once a week, which means I have to dose around 80g a week for my 850l tank.

Came back and start browsing to find out more info, the recommended lvl is only 0.5 - 1ppm! And I only need to dose 1g to achieve this target lvl. So, 1kg can last me life time!!

Or I am wrong? Please advice.

Thanks.

[z_z]

I bought the 1Kg packing of Lush-gro KH2PO4 today after Reading the dozing on the container: 10g to 100litres once a week, which means I have to dose around 80g a week for my 850l tank.

Came back and start browsing to find out more info, the recommended lvl is only 0.5 - 1ppm! And I only need to dose 1g to achieve this target lvl. So, 1kg can last me life time!!

Or I am wrong? Please advice.

Thanks.

Wow, you have a 225 gallon tank?

If you are using the EI method, 1 - 2 ppm is fine. If you dose directly into the tank, you only need to dose 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 3 times a week. That equates to 2.4 grams x 3 (half a teaspoon = 2.4 grams).

You will have to do weekly water changes using the EI method though, that is quite tiring with such a huge tank.

[ct13]

Wow, you have a 225 gallon tank?

If you are using the EI method, 1 - 2 ppm is fine. If you dose directly into the tank, you only need to dose 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 3 times a week. That equates to 2.4 grams x 3 (half a teaspoon = 2.4 grams).

You will have to do weekly water changes using the EI method though, that is quite tiring with such a huge tank.

Thank you for your dozing tips, what is the lvl I should maintain and the amount i shoul dose once a week if I do not intend to go for EI method?

Regards,
Ct

[z_z]

Thank you for your dozing tips, what is the lvl I should maintain and the amount i shoul dose once a week if I do not intend to go for EI method?

Regards,
Ct

Hmm, non-EI method means trial and error method

Maybe you can try 1/2 - 1 teaspoon a week? Note that the amounts I have been giving you are direct dosage values (no mixing with water). By the way, I don't think you can fully dissolve 80g of KH2PO4 in water right?

[juggler]

You can refer to Chuck's dosing calculator for KNO3, K2SO4, KH2PO4.
For Lushgro-Micros and Lushgro-Aqua, there is a dosing calculator that you can try based on EI recommendation of Fe amount.

[z_z]

Hi juggler

How much Rexolin APN are you dosing in your tanks?

[ct13]

Hmm, non-EI method means trial and error method

Maybe you can try 1/2 - 1 teaspoon a week? Note that the amounts I have been giving you are direct dosage values (no mixing with water). By the way, I don't think you can fully dissolve 80g of KH2PO4 in water right?

I only dose 30g base on the calculation per week, I dose it directly into the sump tank and they dissolve slowly.

Hi juggler

How much Rexolin APN are you dosing in your tanks?

I cannot find Rexolin APN when I was at NA yesterday. Bought Seachem trace instead.

[taz_boy]

I bought the 1Kg packing of Lush-gro KH2PO4 today after Reading the dozing on the container: 10g to 100litres once a week, which means I have to dose around 80g a week for my 850l tank.

Came back and start browsing to find out more info, the recommended lvl is only 0.5 - 1ppm! And I only need to dose 1g to achieve this target lvl. So, 1kg can last me life time!!

Or I am wrong? Please advice.

Thanks.

yes...it will last u a life time...provided you maintain this hobby for lifetime that is

i'm dosing like 1/8tsp every week. and i think i bought my 500g bottle 1-yr ago...still can use for 1-2more years

[Plantbrain]

The Lushgrow should be used like most of the traces, much like the general idea of EI, the goal is not to let any nutrient become limiting.

The trace mixes are just that, trace amounts of various metals for the most part. So a little over is fine because it's just a trace bit more.

You can add more, but likely will not see much difference, generally if you do, it's with very high light, more than most typically have.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[z_z]

My tank suddenly had an outbreak of BGA and hair algae. Decided to up CO2 from ~20ppm to 30 ppm. Found that sunlight was reaching my tank and I had to block it out in the afternoon. The hair algae disappeared but BGA persisted. I did a full blackout for 3 days. BGA gone. Will stick with my fert regime.

[juggler]

Hi juggler

How much Rexolin APN are you dosing in your tanks?

Rexolin APN comes in powder form and got to mix with water. It seems less concentrated than Lushgro-Micros. But contents are similar. I dose similar based on calculations. I can send you the Excel calculation if interested.

I bought the fertiliser from his shop at Crawford Lane.