Confused about fertilising

[jiajuen900]

If i dose the full set up of liquid ferts like seachem or Dennerle, do i need to add root tabs?
Im confused on how to use both of the ferts. Also if i have base ferts like ADA powersand, how long does it last, and if i have powersand do i need to add root tabs?

My 80L planted tank has been running for quite a while, quite a few mistakes and problems. Even with the full range of Dennerle ferts, my plants show several deficiency signs. This tank has no base ferts and has ada powder sand and GEX reb bag for subtrate and no root tabs added. So what am i supposed to do?

Could someone provide me a step by step guide on how to add EVERYthing from subtrate to liquid ferts when starting up setup. e.g add base ferts or some tablet when starting up......then add liquid ferts and something in between.......Or any helpful advice.

Would apprecaite if anyone would share their routine with there planted aquariums

Thanks

jiajuen

[barmby]

You seem to have got the sequence reversed.

First, what is your CO2 content during full illumination ? (ppm)
2 ) what is your lighting power ? (Watt per gallon)


3 ) then, only, we start to talk about dosing routine

[Loopy]

Barmby is right. Also what plants are you growing.

P.S. I have disappeared for 6 months so this is my returning post. Nice to be back.

[jiajuen900]

Currently my c02 tank is being refilled. It is at about 2-3 bps diffused by ISTA mix max co2 reacter. I have a total of 60watts over my tank. One PL 24 and one PL 36.

Temp is 28 degrees most of the time. Also out of 80L, 20L is a filter that is part of the tank.

I am trying to cover the foreground with HG and have 2 diffrent varients of swords. With some stem plants and vallinsnera at the back.

I would post a pic but am unsure how......

Thanks

jiajuen

[barmby]

Ah.. I see the problem. What is your CO2 in the water column, value in PPM (part per million)??? From a plant perspective, they don't care about 2-100 bubbles per second They need 20-30ppm at any one time during photosynthesis.

Hope you don't give up. Getting your CO2 correct is the most difficult part in this hobby.

[jiajuen900]

i cant measure, no test kit. The ph kh method wont work for me as subtrate brings ph down.

I have a drop tester, but it requires water of kh4 to operate properly or else colour remains same all the time.

And i cant get water with kh or exactly 4....

[barmby]

OK. Others need to help jiajen900. My Plant knowledge is based on lapis sand And I hate using soil for this very reason because I want to take guessing out of the game.

[StanChung]

Using soil you would need to use some sort of buffer like Brighty K to get an accurate KH pH correlation for CO2 calculation. I'm told it has carbonate in it for buffering. The opposite of what soil does-taking out carbonates.
BK would increase pH, or rather make the reading less acidic. The relation is dynamic and depending when or what time you measure it's going to be different with the plants sucking up stuff as well.

I find the main problem with Seachem products are they have no easy to find knowledge base, to my knowledge the distributors are not trained to use the products by the head company-they look to us hobbyists for information-there is something really wrong with this.
I've never seen a Dennerle one but I'm sure it exists, Dennerle is easy to use enough but I don't think it's drilled into everyone how to use it, not like ADA's stuff.

ADA used to be a mystery but with English translations it's not hard to look up their English web to find what you need to know. Especially for newbies-I encourage you to explore their website. It has so much information it would be foolhardy to try to type it all here in one post.

[jiajuen900]

So you are saying that i should use ADA products to get an accurate c02 reading?

How about getting a good c02 drop tester would it work. The one i have now needs 4kh water to work. Is there any brand someone can reccomend

But this doesnt answer the question on root tabs and base ferts. My plants are growing but just not very well. I only fertilised trace elements in my set up during first few months before starting with the Dennrle line of products

I have no base ferts and use no root tabs. After starting Dennerle plants grow better and there are less deficiency sign. But still signs of deficiency.

Can root tabs replace base ferts?

How long do base ferts such as ADA powersand last as im using in new set up?

With base ferts do i need root tabs?

...........

Thanks

[jiajuen900]

Also since we are talking about c02 and ferts, is a 36watt PL light and one 24 PL light enough over my tank

tank specs (cm) :

45 L x 34 B x 40 H covered in subtrate and planted

45 L x 11 B x 40 H is the filter which is part of the tank

Total volume 80L

45 x 45 x 40

Also about drop checker, how much will ADA drop checker from NA cost, also is it good?

[StanChung]

If you're using Aquasoil, you need to be using Brighty K when you measure your pH KH for CO2 calculation.

[jiajuen900]

how about ADA c02 drop checker, when using drop checker do i still need to use brightly K. I find the kh ph method too problematic

Thanks, appreciate the advice

[StanChung]

The drop checker is just a pH checker. How can you get accurate pH reading if your water is not buffered?

[boxedfish]

u still can use your drop checker, follow the instructions and use the liquid provided with your tank water. No KH4 never mind, just that your result will not be as accurate, but better than nothing. ADA drop checker, or those $10 drop checker, all works under the same idea. No need to spend so much more to get branded ones, unless u got money to throw.

[jiajuen900]

even so this SERA drop checker, will remain blue at 3 - 4 bps....

[boxedfish]

where did you place your CO2 diffuser? do you have a lot of water surface agitation?

[deacon]

To increase your CO2 absorption in the water, just go to NTUC and get yourself a bottle of sodium bicarbonate. Its in powder form. This is the easiest and cheapest method although it adds sodium into your tank. Another one is to add Potassium bicarbonate, the potassium is considered a micro nutrient and will be useful of your plants. You may be able to get it from Phoon Huat or any bakery supplier.

You may want to read more on water chemistry

[jiajuen900]

diffused by 2 co2 reactor... Add potassium, does this mean can add Brightly K?

[StanChung]

Yes

[jiajuen900]

If i were to use Brightly K may switch to ADA fert.

So which are the main ADA ferts that i should get just as fertiliser

thanks