I have a 5' x 2.5' x 2' tank. That's L x W x H . I ran thru some conversion calculator and that' dimension can hold 708 Litres. But with my scaping etc, the amount of water in that tank is now about 600 Litres. With Chuck's calculator, that comes close to 160 gallon of water.

My lighting is between 2 to 3 watts per gallon. I have CO2 injection.

And now the dosing regime. I want to go EI all the way. And am very new at this hobby. So Tom, please go slow on me.

I have these:
CSM+B
KNO3
KH2PO4
K2SO4

and I also have these
MgSO4.7H2O
CaSO4
Sodium Bicarbonate (What's the formula anyway)

I don't have gram scale but I do have measuring spoons. I want to do my weekly 50% WC on a Sunday. So the questions are:

1) After WC, how many teaspoons of Sodium Bicarbonate, CaSO4 and MgSO4 should be added to my tank. Water from my tab is about 1.5 to 2 dGH

2) After WC, how many teaspoons of KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4 should I add ?
In addition, I am going to add those again on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

3) On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, how many teaspoon of CSM+B should I add to my tank

I hope I have given all the necessary details. Appreciate your advise. TIA

Hi,

First off, please read these theads if you haven't already...........

http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/


Okay,

1. A measuring spoon works well for me. Got mine at the supermarket for a small set of plastic ones for 2 or 3 dollars. Range from 1/4 tsp to 2 tsp.

2. You can drop the K2S04, as the KN03 will provide sufficient N.

3. I do not use Csmb but here is my schedule and works well at 2.5 wpg for a 180 gal tank:

Main Fert
3.00 TSP KN03, 1.00 TSP KH2P04

Trace
50 ML TMG or flourish
Prime at WC for dechlorinization.

+/- 3.0 tsp KN03 3x a week (N)
+/- 1.0 tsp KH2P04 3x a week (P)
+/- 50 ml Trace 3x a week. I use tropica aqua products or others use Flourish.
60-70% weekly water change with Prime

Sunday - water change Main Fert
Monday - Trace
Tuesday - Main Fert
Wednesday - Trace
Thursday - Main Fert
Friday - Trace
Saturday - Rest & Enjoy!

Since you have only 20 gallons less than me, take off a corresponding percentage...

Hope this helps........EI is not as hard as you think. I just started it 6-8 weeks ago and is pretty easy..........

Thanks for the advice.


Trace amount worries me as it could be very different than TMG or Flourish. I intend to make a stock solution of CSM+B into a 500mL bottle. But am not sure how many tsp to add and how many mL of that should be added Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

I am using Nutrafin Aqua Plus for dechlorination.


I think so. BTW, what about adding Ca and Mg and Sodium Bicarbonate ?

I am pretty sure that plantex is dosed differently, but with no experience, I will let others answer. Doesn't the EI threads talk to this issue?

The baking soda is used if you want to increase your hardness. Up to you if you want to use or not. Again, I do not, so will not advise.

I use Prime as you need only a little to treat a lot of water. Most of the products are okay, some better than others....

You may want to get a copy of Greg Watson's dosing guide. Do a site search here and look for it. Should have a URL in it somewhere........

Have you read any of the EI threads? Many answers there, sometimes you may miss it at first.

Good luck! Sorry I wasn't as much help this time.................

This is from Rex Grigg's website.

Rex's Guide to Dosing Dry Ferts

For Plantex CSM mix 1 tablespoon or three teaspoons into 250 ml of water and dose 4 ml of this solution 3 times a week into 10 gallons of water. You can go higher or lower than this dose based on the observation of your aquarium.


I use CSM+B dry, pre-mix the night before in a cup of water.

This is another very good link on dosing strategy;

_Dosing Regime's_ - The Planted Tank Forum