EI time table

[shrimppaste]

Hi Everyone,

I know I have been asking a lot of questions, but soon it will be over haha. I have finally set up my tank. So can anyone help me in terms of the time table for EI method using KNO3 and K2PO4 and Seachem Iron and Trace and Equilibrium.

This is what I was thinking.

Day 1 50% Water change + Equilibrium

Day 2 KNO3 + K2S04

Day 3 Trace + Iron

Day 4 KNO3 + K2S04

Day 5 Trace + Iron

Day 6 KNO3 + K2S04

Let me know if this is ok. I saw people mentioning that I also need KH2PO4?? Is what I am planning enough? And for a 140 litre tank, how much equilibrium should I use? Thanks!

[Shadow]

My opinion, ditch K2SO4, replace it with KH2PO4

I was having bad experience dossing K2SO4 in shrimp tank

[shrimppaste]

Hi Shadow,

So is KH2PO4 also banned or restricted? Where can I get them? Thanks!

[Shadow]

nope, you can buy KH2PO4 from NA. Not sure about hydroponic shop, but they should have it as well

[christopher.wtc]

Hi shrimppaste,

Congrets that you have started your tank mission. For Equilibrium, the instructions is stated on the product. Here it is, add 16 g (1 tablespoon) for every 80 L to raise hardness by 3dgH. Our tapwater is about 2.5dgH (just measuresed recently). I don't usually add Equilibrium as I require a low dgH. End of the day, it's what you are keeping that determins the hardness level. Do note that hardness will rise over time unless you top your water or do water change with pure H2O.

And just a tip, if getting the correct grams of Equilibrium using the tablespoon seems impossible, go to some confectionery equipment store and get a measuring spoon. Though these spoons measures in ml, thank God, Equilibrium has a weight of 1 gram = 1 ml. Course if estimation is what you do best, normal spoons will do.

Good luck bro, hope to see your tank soon.

[shrimppaste]

Hi Hi thanks. Ok What do we need equilibrium for? I am only using it cause Tom Barr uses it. I know I need KH to make sure PH does not fluctuate. But I am note sure why we need GH.

[mozaqua]

Hi Hi thanks. Ok What do we need equilibrium for? I am only using it cause Tom Barr uses it. I know I need KH to make sure PH does not fluctuate. But I am note sure why we need GH.

Some GH is necessary since your occupants will need Calcium and Magnesium. Shrimp, fish, and other inverts need this for their shells. Fish need for bones and eggs. Plants use as Macro-nutrients.

Also KH is only "temporary" hardness, which does fluctuate when the nutrients are used. It takes much longer for plants to lower the GH, and GH does not alter the PH directly.

If you read Barr's recommendations, he says plants prefer hard water...which means high GH. Not sure how high he is talking about but I find medium GH, PH 6.5-7.4 to be best for plants.

Regards

[Earth]

Hi Shadow,

So is KH2PO4 also banned or restricted? Where can I get them? Thanks!

KH2PO4 is not banned. However, KNO3 is banned. You can replaced it using CaNO3.

I bought KH2PO4, K2SO4 and CaNO3 from HPC. You can view their product catalog here.

[shrimppaste]

Hi If we have KH2PO4 do we still need K2S04?

[shrimppaste]

I mean I have both. I bought K2SO4 but was told it's not that good and should use KH2PO4

[Shadow]

Hi If we have KH2PO4 do we still need K2S04?

KH2PO4 is to provide P and K2SO4 is to provide K, so it is different.

KNO3 on the other hand provide K and N, thus it is not really necessary to add K2SO4.

[neon]

Is it illegal to keep KNO3 ? If it is not, can we buy them from oversea and bring it back like chewing gum case ?

How do the Hydroponic farms dose their vegetation ? KNO3 ? Where do they get them from ? Do they need to license buy in bulk and store ?

[Shadow]

if not mistaken, you need license to keep it as well.

[Earth]

I mean I have both. I bought K2SO4 but was told it's not that good and should use KH2PO4

As KNO3 is banned in sg, the only way to get it is to buy from pple who are giving up their planted tank hobby. As an alternative, u can buy CaNO3 to provide the N.

I have been dosing K2SO4 for K, KH2PO4 for K+P and CaNO3 for N. So far, i have not encountered any issue with my shrimps when K2SO4 is dosed. However, my tank is a 4x2x2 planted tank so I guess the effect will not be as immediate as compared to dosing K2SO4 in a smaller tank.

Pertaining to your question: If you choose to rely only on KH2PO4 to provide enough ppm of K + P, you will realise that to provide enough K, you will encounter an issue of overdose of P.

You can use the fertiliser calculator on Shadow's blogsite to calculate your ideal composition. (Shadow, thanks for providing the calculator on your blogsite )

[Shadow]

KH2PO4 was not suppose to provide K, the ration is too small. Alternatively, you use CaNO3 plus seachem K or ferka K or ADA (can't remember which one provide K )

I was told that small amount of K2SO4 is OK, but not sure how small

[dannyfish]

HPC email seem to be not working .....