I have an aquarium in which I would like to establish a fert regimen, with weekly 50% water changes. Medium fish and plant load. ph=7.7, gh6, kh<1, nitrites .03mg/l, ammonia 0-.25. I would like to try a regimen (including frequency and quantity} that includes phosphates, nitrates, potassium, and micros-either CSM+B or TMG. Excel will be used in place of CO2. Thanks in advance.
Angels

Hi,

"I have an aquarium in which I would like to establish a fert regimen, with weekly 50% water changes. Medium fish and plant load. ph=7.7, gh6, kh<1, nitrites .03mg/l, ammonia 0-.25. I would like to try a regimen (including frequency and quantity} that includes phosphates, nitrates, potassium, and micros-either CSM+B or TMG. Excel will be used in place of CO2. Thanks in advance."

Light?

I think biomass, a fully planted tank etc will be the best option. So you might want to address that first if it's not fully planted.

A 30 gal with say 1.5-2 w/gal, say 2x 30W triton bulbs with a reflector would be ideal.

You could use a number of things for the substrate.
I've been using ADA AS for the substrate in 2 small non CO2/non Excel tanks.
They do very well. If you have Flourite, EC, Onyx etc already, just leave it in place or are attached to the sand etc.

With excel you can assume about 1/3 the difference of CO2, so about 60% less growth.

So if you dose 2x a week, that should be about right.
If you have more light, dose more frequently, but not more volume/weight, use the same amount. So with more light= dose 3x a week, add more excel etc as well, about 2 x the rec dose at least.

At 2x 30w, I'd dose 2x anyway.

Amounts:

2x a week:
KNO3: 1/8 teaspoon KNO3
KH2PO4 1/16 or less, maybe a rice grain or less worth(short grain rice), or a roughly the size of a BB.
TMG: 4 mls
GH booster: 1/2 teaspoon after water change
2x the Excel dosing suggestion.

That's it.

Regards,
Tom Barr