Advertisements
Aquatic Avenue Banner Tropica Shop Banner Fishy Business Banner
Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: TMG alone or with NPK supplement?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore

    TMG alone or with NPK supplement?

    Advertisements
    Fresh n Marine aQuarium Banner

    Advertise here

    Advertise here
    Hi guys, with frequent reading online, much knowledge was gained on fertilization. The problem now is the famous Tom Barr has propose adding N,P,K and traces to a fix volume of tank without testing..(This is interesting idea -- no hassle of testing huh?...but the risk of nutrients like N and P building up is definitely there as uptake of nutrients varies from tank to tank and even 50% water change per week might no solve it.)

    Scenario one (Assume 20 gallon tank)
    CO2 = 20-30ppm
    Light = 3-4W/G
    10ppm of nitrate added 2X per week
    0.5ppm of PO4 added 2X per week
    20ppm of potassium added once per week after water change
    traces 5ml of TMG 2X per week
    GH=3 (Dunno much abt the Ca and Mg ratio) --possible risk of particular nutrient deficiency here thus limiting N uptake?
    Fe = From TMG..might be on the lean side?

    If uptake of N is low...maybe 2ppm for entire week. 8ppm of nitrate left plus contribution of nitrate from fish..maybe 9-10ppm...water change 50%. Approximate 5ppm left..then add 10ppm back???? = 15ppm for the week..its gonna build up!
    []

    Okay...now..is it possible to do with just TMG?
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
    Posts
    9,210
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    371
    Country
    Singapore
    I do dose my tank with K with K2SO4 or every 2-3weeks KNO3 together with TMG

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    1,229
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    38
    Country
    Singapore
    To some, fertilization knowledge has come to a stage where they increasing wanted to be in fuller charge of what is in the water column. For these group of hobbyists, keeping plant alive or algae free are no longer the concern/in their mind; they wanted the plant to be presented in their optimum form/health. Such persue cannot be explained in words, one has to see the optimum kept plants and compare what they have to understand or even to beleive.

    As such the comercial "comprehensive" ferts alone do not longer satisfy these group of hobbyists where some of the essential macros like NO3, Mg, PO4, Ca, (particularly PO4) are excluded or insufficient. These commercial ferts depend on fish wastes and/or base ferts to come to full circle for the plants. However, such sources are unpredictable/unreliable in their outputs. That is where the addition of macros come into picture. Of course, the proportions of them come by experiments.

    Tom Barr's formulae I beleive, is a proven dose regime in quantity that the plants are known to be able to absorb in a given period of time, and in a balanced form that the plants would rake in at optimum rate. To make things simple for advanced or novice alike, a 50% water change every week is suggested to keep the risk of water out of balance at bay.

    In following Tom's formulae, the concern of plants not taking in certain nutrients at the desired rate will not surface unless:
    1) insufficient light (less than 0.5 watts/litre) and/or
    2) nutrients not in balanced proportion and/or
    3) temperatures not in the plants' thriving range and/or
    4) lack of tank maintenance like washing of filter, change old lamps, etc.
    5) too heavy fish load/over feedings lead to point 2).

    Can one depends solely on commercial fert? Yes, with the right selection (those with the right nutrient coverage) and a bit of luck (that the fish wastes/base fert leak don't let them down).

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Singapore (CCK)
    Posts
    1,069
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    ----------------
    On 3/16/2003 10:03:31 PM

    To some, fertilization knowledge has come to a stage where they increasing wanted to be in fuller charge of what is in the water column. For these group of hobbyists, keeping plant alive or algae free are no longer the concern/in their mind; they wanted the plant to be presented in their optimum form/health. Such persue cannot be explained in words, one has to see the optimum kept plants and compare what they have to understand or even to beleive.

    As such the comercial "comprehensive" ferts alone do not longer satisfy these group of hobbyists where some of the essential macros like NO3, Mg, PO4, Ca, (particularly PO4) are excluded or insufficient. These commercial ferts depend on fish wastes and/or base ferts to come to full circle for the plants. However, such sources are unpredictable/unreliable in their outputs. That is where the addition of macros come into picture. Of course, the proportions of them come by experiments.

    Tom Barr's formulae I beleive, is a proven dose regime in quantity that the plants are known to be able to absorb in a given period of time, and in a balanced form that the plants would rake in at optimum rate. To make things simple for advanced or novice alike, a 50% water change every week is suggested to keep the risk of water out of balance at bay.

    In following Tom's formulae, the concern of plants not taking in certain nutrients at the desired rate will not surface unless:
    1) insufficient light (less than 0.5 watts/litre) and/or
    2) nutrients not in balanced proportion and/or
    3) temperatures not in the plants' thriving range and/or
    4) lack of tank maintenance like washing of filter, change old lamps, etc.
    5) too heavy fish load/over feedings lead to point 2).

    Can one depends solely on commercial fert? Yes, with the right selection (those with the right nutrient coverage) and a bit of luck (that the fish wastes/base fert leak don't let them down).
    ----------------
    And right CO2 level too, which Tom always advocate.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Singapore (CCK)
    Posts
    1,069
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    ----------------
    On 3/16/2003 1:47:26 PM

    If uptake of N is low...maybe 2ppm for entire week. 8ppm of nitrate left plus contribution of nitrate from fish..maybe 9-10ppm...water change 50%. Approximate 5ppm left..then add 10ppm back???? = 15ppm for the week..its gonna build up!
    []

    Okay...now..is it possible to do with just TMG?
    ----------------
    No Gwee, it won't buildup. It will just equilibrate at a high level if you follow you own prescribe dosage and water change regularly.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Geoffrey, can you please explain how it would not build up given uptake of N and other nutrients are minimum?
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Singapore (CCK)
    Posts
    1,069
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Gwee,

    I knew you will ask me this question. PM me with your email and I will send you something for you to play and you will understand what I mean.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    553
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    13
    Country
    Singapore
    See if this answers ur question :

    Water Changes
    ThEoDoRe

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Email me at [email protected]
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Okay...maybe one more thing...anybody know if the GH in our tap water is enough for plants (GH=3 with AP test kit).
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Bedok
    Posts
    2,600
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    5
    Country
    Singapore
    Peter, according to your model:

    Consumption by plant: 2ppm
    Add NO3: 10ppm
    Contribution by fish: 2ppm
    Water change 50%

    According to your model, the NO3 should not exceed 20ppm.

    20 ppm, after 50% water change you will get 10ppm

    10ppm + 10ppm (add NO3) + 2ppm (fish) - 2ppm (plants) = 20ppm

    50% water change will reduce to 10ppm and the cycle repeats.

    BC

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Bedok
    Posts
    2,600
    Feedback Score
    0
    Images
    5
    Country
    Singapore
    ----------------
    On 3/17/2003 11:37:58 AM

    Okay...maybe one more thing...anybody know if the GH in our tap water is enough for plants (GH=3 with AP test kit).
    ----------------
    My advice: try out and you will know for yourself. Everyone's tank/plants are different.

    My experience: I did experience some Ca deficiency symptoms.

    BC

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Okay, BC thanks for the kind input...maybe I screw up on the calculation part...LOL []
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Singapore (CCK)
    Posts
    1,069
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Gwee,

    how is it? Theo2001's info from Krib is exactly the same as mine except that in Krib, it's mathematically shown while mine can show you graphically.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Graphical would be nice...send it over []
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Singapore (CCK)
    Posts
    1,069
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Did you receive my attachment? Are you convince?

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    4,088
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    Haha...thanks geoffrey...much better without all those equations around.
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
    Posts
    8,957
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Images
    104
    Country
    Singapore
    Geoff,

    Share, dude, share!!! [] [] []
    Vincent - AQ is for everyone, but not for 'u' and 'mi'.
    Why use punctuation? See what a difference it makes:
    A woman, without her man, is nothing.
    A woman: without her, man is nothing.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Singapore (CCK)
    Posts
    1,069
    Feedback Score
    0
    Country
    Singapore
    I like to but how? It's in Excel. Can I send you and then you make it available to all?

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
    Posts
    8,957
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Images
    104
    Country
    Singapore
    Can do... I'll host it on my webbie. Send it along.
    Vincent - AQ is for everyone, but not for 'u' and 'mi'.
    Why use punctuation? See what a difference it makes:
    A woman, without her man, is nothing.
    A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •