Tom,

This is the first post I've made in this forum but have spent quite some time reading it. First thank you for this resource.

Now my question if I was to dose non limiting ferts, and non limiting light in order to try to grow these plants in my low tech aquarium wouldn't I encourage algae growth by having Co2 the limiting factor. I'm starting off with hard to kill plants but wanted to know for future reference.

I will admit I am a complete novice at this as I am just starting my first tank period. It will be a 75 gallon low tech with the fert mix you suggested in your low tech post.

After reading your low tech post I was curious if I could leave my ferts and lights at low tech levels and add some small amounts of excel for carbon and as a form of algecide. I was thinking maybe half the recommended dosage. I like the idea of maximum growth with minimal water changes. Maybe I'm completely off base. Any comments on that? I would test this myself but haven't even recieved my plants yet.

Not to be a pest but I have one more question that I have been unable to clearly find an answer to. It seems elementary so maybe that why it doesn't get discussed. When cycling a heavy planted low tech tank are many water changes needed during the cycling process? I noticed in hi tech planted tanks many people do frequent and large water changes during cycling but not much has been said about cycling a low tech.

Sorry for the length of the post, and thank you again for the resource.

Crazymidwesterner