Calcium defiency???

[joe]

My fertilisation regime is TMG (1ml daily) with K2SO4 (one small bit every alternate days). However, I see that the new leaves of hygrophila stricta are crumpled and not as smooth as the older leaves. Upon closer look, I noticed that TMG does not contain Ca at all!!! I do have a little bit of coral chips inside the filter but it seems not to be sufficient.

Any recommendations on what to add to boost calcium???

[David]

Hi Joe

When you are dosing with TMG, it fine if its on its own but once pottasium sulphate is used, the equation changes and you need to add calcium nitrate if you do not have a nitrate problem.....exactly how much is 'one small bit'.....

[PeterGwee]

Just TMG and K2SO4 for the entire fert regime? How big is your tank? What is your NO3 and PO4 level if you are not dosing them?

[joe]

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On 11/5/2003 1:21:31 PM

When you are dosing with TMG, it fine if its on its own but once pottasium sulphate is used, the equation changes and you need to add calcium nitrate if you do not have a nitrate problem.....exactly how much is 'one small bit'.....
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Hi David, can you explain why TMG is sufficient on its own? From its ingredients, it is totally lacking in Ca. Would Ca from our tap water be sufficient?

My small bit of K2S04 is 1/10 of a teaspoon I think [:]

[joe]

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On 11/5/2003 1:22:10 PM

Just TMG and K2SO4 for the entire fert regime? How big is your tank? What is your NO3 and PO4 level if you are not dosing them?
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Yeah Peter. Tank is 1.5ft only. I do have a NO3 problem due to high bioload but will be removing some fishes soon. NO3 stays between 12.5 to 25 mg/l which is kinda high IMO. PO4 not dosing at all.

[PeterGwee]

Joe, assuming you are dosing 9 gallons of tank water, your regime of K2SO4 is going to hit approx. 32ppm which is pretty high which I think you don't need that much. 10-20ppm is better range nowadays. Your dosing of traces sounds about right for your tank size but why not dose 3X per week instead of daily? 2.5ml 3 times a week should be fine. No dosing of PO4? Do note that lack of PO4 would slow down NO3 uptake to a crawl which is not what you want right? Why not get the KH2PO4 from Dr Mallick and dose 1 rice grain worth of PO4 3 times per week. Oh, 1 last thing but the most important of all...what is your CO2 level? Test it before the lights come on and off...are you in the 20-30ppm range?

[joe]

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On 11/5/2003 2:07:51 PM

Joe, assuming you are dosing 9 gallons of tank water, your regime of K2SO4 is going to hit approx. 32ppm which is pretty high which I think you don't need that much. 10-20ppm is better range nowadays. Your dosing of traces sounds about right for your tank size but why not dose 3X per week instead of daily? 2.5ml 3 times a week should be fine. No dosing of PO4? Do note that lack of PO4 would slow down NO3 uptake to a crawl which is not what you want right? Why not get the KH2PO4 from Dr Mallick and dose 1 rice grain worth of PO4 3 times per week. Oh, 1 last thing but the most important of all...what is your CO2 level? Test it before the lights come on and off...are you in the 20-30ppm range?
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I'm using DIY CO2 but have managed to get 30ppm(kh=4, ph=6.6) using a mini reactor and many trial and errors. Never tested with lights off cos lights off means I can go home liao [:] [:]

I think the TMG is should be fine with daily or 3x per week dosage. Hmmmm PO4. Might wanna get some KH2PO4 from Buy&Sell section soon

[joe]

Patiently waiting for David's explanation

Does Dr Mallick sell small packets of KH2PO4?? Dun wanna go down and get a big bottle. Cos I got the K2SO4 from him and now used less than 10% of that bottle!!! []