Asking again some FAQ questions for planted tank.

[Georgeer]

Hi, I know this is a FAQ but I can't find any link in the entire forum. Pardon me for asking here again if it had been addressed many a time.

Please provide advise to these questions:

1. What is the ideal PH for a planted tank with red plants and dedicate plants like Tonina.
2. What is the best KH level?
3. Which are the best test kits around in the market for PH and KH
4. What is the best way to test for nitrate level
5. Test kit for Nitrate level and ways to lower Nitrate level
6. What is the best way to replenish fertilzer into the soil? Or replenish substrate a mature built-up tank.

Sorry for asking again so many FAQ again here.

Thanks in advance for the advise.

[David]

Okie Dokes....here goes in point form to your questions.....

1. Good all round PH level that most aqua plants are having is 6.5 to 6.9 PH.

2. Depending on the PH level you want, that determines the KH level.

3. Good test kits for PH and KH are JBL or Aqua Medic.

4. Good test kits for NO3 is from BioScience litmus sticks.

5. Best way to lower NO3 is to be dicipline in the amount of fish in a given volume of water and weekly water change.

6. Best way to replenish fertilizer into the soil.....execute a tear-down and re-lay the base fert....whahahhahahaa...seriously, that is the best way...alternatively you can buy fert ball and insert them in...but this way is expensive and at the same time tedious.

[juggler]

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On 7/24/2003 10:06:17 AM

Hi, I know this is a FAQ but I can't find any link in the entire forum. Pardon me for asking here again if it had been addressed many a time.

Please provide advise to these questions:

1. What is the ideal PH for a planted tank with red plants and dedicate plants like Tonina.
2. What is the best KH level?
3. Which are the best test kits around in the market for PH and KH
4. What is the best way to test for nitrate level
5. Test kit for Nitrate level and ways to lower Nitrate level
6. What is the best way to replenish fertilzer into the soil? Or replenish substrate a mature built-up tank.

Sorry for asking again so many FAQ again here.

Thanks in advance for the advise.
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My thoughts on some of the questions.

For Q1, Q2, see List of Recommended Levels by Tom Barr
Q3. Personally, I would get any cheap ones as these tests are quite standard. And moreover, how accurate can we get out of all these test kits? For pH, a test from range 6 to 8 in divisions of 0.2 is good enough. Otherwise someone would be recommending you to get a pH Test Pen.
Q5. I have only used Tetra and Sera brand for NO3 test. I prefer the Sera one because of the range they give. Maybe there are better ones?
To lower NO3, have to make sure other nutrients like P, K and the next major nutrients of C, Mg, Ca plus lighting are available in the right proportions. Frequent water change and right bioload helps as well.

[David]

Hey jug....

Using K to control NO3 not advicable unless into this hobby or extensive reading has been done.......[]

[earthworm]

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On 7/25/2003 12:59:23 AM

Okie Dokes....here goes in point form to your questions.....
6. Best way to replenish fertilizer into the soil.....execute a tear-down and re-lay the base fert....whahahhahahaa...seriously, that is the best way...alternatively you can buy fert ball and insert them in...but this way is expensive and at the same time tedious.
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what about liquid fertiliser?

[Georgeer]

I tried to "neutralise" the PH and KH in the tank by doing water change yesterday. Removed 2 big red pails of water from the 3 feet tank and the Riccia started to bubble at a very fast rate. Even the hair grass bubble.

What is the effect in this water change?
Is it one of the method to "neutralised" the water? I do know water change can help remove excess nitrate in the water.
What about PH and KH?

Thanks.

[nbk3]

erm... it might be due to the Air bubbles that were introduced into the tank while u poured new water in ? []

[tawauboy]

with water change, you are diluting all available nutrients in your tank, not just nitrates.
and you are also adding some nutrients and trace elements. so if you noticed that you get bubbling after every water change, most likely your tank does not have enough trace elements and maybe ca and mg.

[Georgeer]

I added some fertilizer straight after water change.Also some anti-chlroine. Will that help??

[tawauboy]

if the fertiliser you add addresses the lacking nutrients, it will help.
what fertiliser are you adding?
it is good to know what you are adding into your tank.

[Georgeer]

I added some "Moss Powder" even the moss are no more in the tank. I think it is some FE compound.

Then I added some Dr Mallick's LUSHgrow-Aqua fertilizer.

[sherchoo]

Like what tawauboy said, it's good to know what you're adding into your tank and at what amount. That's why ferts like TMG, Flourish are more in favour as we know it's contents.