The test kits?

[|squee|]

For you planted tank pros, what test kits do you recommend as essential? For example, do you guys even buy nitrate/nitrite and amonnia? How about Calcium, Iron, Magnesium?

Thanks

[budak]

hi squee
those of us who use the Tom Barr aka plantbrain Estimative Index method (see the Articles on Dosing thread in the Aquatic FAQ) don't bother with any test kit except for KH and pH (to ensure that you have enough CO2). And it's a nobrainer once you settle on a routine - for myself I do a full fert dosing with every fortnightly water change (30-40%), plus a 50-60% dosage on the alternate week in which I just top up evaporated water.

[barmby]

But...make sure you have good lighting - first! CO2 - second!

[geoffrey]

I hope barmby means fix your light first at 2~3wpg, or in low-tech tanks, a lower lighting and leave it. Then concentrate on getting CO2 correct, follow by your fertilising regime. Not putting light as a more important element here.

[David]

I will secnd what Budak has mentioned....the only thing I monitor in my tanks right now is just KH and PH.......

As for fert, I just buy good OTC brands and dose the tanks.....I have long quit the PMDD thingy as it gets too stressful.......

[ccs]

Say i had a tank with ferns,moss and crypts and have slightly less then 2wpg.Would the estimative index still be applicable?As it would mean slow growing plants at lower light will take in nutrient at a slower pace?

[PeterGwee]

[quote:117ee9b93d="David"]I have long quit the PMDD thingy as it gets too stressful.......[/quote:117ee9b93d]

Hahahahaaa...why would it get stressful when it is like cooking? Just dose in teaspoons 1-4x a week depending on the amount of light you have over your tank. The weekly water change is more stressful though...

Regards
Peter Gwee

[PeterGwee]

[quote:f96849bdf3="ccs"]Say i had a tank with ferns,moss and crypts and have slightly less then 2wpg.Would the estimative index still be applicable?As it would mean slow growing plants at lower light will take in nutrient at a slower pace?[/quote:f96849bdf3]

The estimative index method is for CO2 enriched tanks only. Non-CO2 tanks is another method.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[|squee|]

Thanks alot guys! I'm in the process of getting dr mallicks stuff

[David]

The last time I messed with PMDD, I had one tank full of mutated cryptos that just wouldnt stop spreading till it killed every other plants......and the other tank KABOOOMMMM ....it was algae galore.....whahahhahahaa

Changing water is less stress cause I got a personal water changer....whahahahhaha

Non CO2 tank is high light and high KH levels.......

[ccs]

[quote:f528278b="PeterGwee"][quote:f528278b="ccs"]Say i had a tank with ferns,moss and crypts and have slightly less then 2wpg.Would the estimative index still be applicable?As it would mean slow growing plants at lower light will take in nutrient at a slower pace?[/quote:f528278b]

The estimative index method is for CO2 enriched tanks only. Non-CO2 tanks is another method.

Regards
Peter Gwee [/quote:f528278b]

If it is low light with co2?