Dosing Question

[sharkl11]

Bought Macro Micro mix at planted aquarium. I knew it doesn't contain mono potassium phosphate as it doesn't mix with the trace element mix. My plants are showing signs of phosphate deficiency ex: dead patches and falling leaves off my staurogyne. So I'm going to pick up some phosphate, but not sure how much to dose for my tank. Also once I get the mix, should I make it into a liquid solution like I did for macro/micro mix or just dose dry? Anything is appreciated. Thank you.

My setup:

20 Gallon Long
T5HO 2x 39 Watt / 3.9 wpg
DIY co2
Plants: Stauryogyne / Myrio matt / Anacharis / Rotala Indica / Little HC / Riccia / Water sprite
Fish: Red wag platy ,8 Iridescent lampeye, 3 chili rasbora, 3 kulhi loach, 2 rosie cheek loach, 4 oto , 5 amano shrimp

[Htomassini]

Dry dosing is just fine



Henry tomassini
www.theplantedaquariumstore.com
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Tug]

I hope you go to the comments section of their web site and mention the need to dose KH2PO4 with "Macro Micro mix". But, your plants are showing signs of more then just a phosphate deficiency.

If you have a 1L bottle you can add 12 grams (a tiny bit over two, 5mL teaspoons) of KH2PO4 and add distilled water to the 900mL mark. A 5mL dose would provide a 20 gallon tank with about 0.6 ppm of PO4. Dose 5mL daily or 10mL every other day for EI doses.

Planted aquarium's recommended dose for Macro Micro mix is on the low side for EI. It looks as if they are recommending PMDD doses and not EI.

Macro Micro Nutrient mixing instructions: Mix with a ratio of 1/4 cup of Macro Micro Nutrient Mix to 2 cups water (or 60g to 500 ml). Dose 1-4 drops per gallon per day. Start with the lowest dose of 1 drop per gallon per day and stay with that dose for 2-3 weeks before deciding to increase the dose. Increase the dose based on the needs of your plants. There are 76 drops in a teaspoon.

The mix; a 1/4 cup of mix is added to 500mL of water.
Each nutrient is 25% of the total mix or 3 teaspoons.

lets say 1mL is 15 drops - close enough.
The recommended dose is any were from 1 drop to 4 drops per gallon
or 1.33mL to 5.2mL (lets call it 5mL) to dose a 20 gallon tank.

The range of nutrients these doses provide, using either the 1.33mL or 5mL dose;
potassium nitrate (KNO3) ~ 0.3ppm - 1.3ppm NO3, respectively.
potassium sulfate (K2SO4) ~ 0.3ppm - 1.1ppm K, respectively.
Plantex CSM + Boron ~ 0.03ppm - 0.1ppm Fe, respectively
magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) ~ 0.05ppm - 0.2ppm Mg, respectively.

[Tug]

The problem with this Macro Micro mix is raising one nutrient level by adding more of the mix raises the other nutrients as well. The more KNO3 you dose the less K2SO4 is needed unless there is a large amount of NO3 from a source other then the KNO3. While most of the excess K will be safely removed with the water change, it isn't necessary. And, CSM+B would rarely be limiting in your case with a daily dose of 0.1ppm Fe and diy CO2. However, You could safely dose 10 ml a day of the MM mix solution and dose KH2PO4 every other day until you run out of MM mix. Order the CSM+B and KNO3 when you order the KH2PO4. See if they will throw in a free bag of K2SO4 for your troubles and Epsom salt you can find at most any drug store.

Once you have the individual ingredients you can dose them dry or if you want to dose a liquid solution, there are much easier ways of doing it. Most bare bones stock solutions have KNO3 and KH2PO4 in one solution - CSM+B and Mg in another.

[Biollante]

Hi Tug,

Where can I purchase the PO₄ you recommend?

Can I use TSP?


Biollante

[Tug]

Right, it's KH2PO4 not PO4. I'll fix the OP.

I'm sure TSP isn't recommended anywhere but I will be getting it now - does great things for the dishes and a little added to the laundry might help remove that ring around my collar.

[Biollante]

Hi Tug,

Trisodium phosphate, Na₃PO₄ is 57.9% PO₄, which of course means it is 42.1% Na, so if your fish are on a low Sodium diet this may not be the best way to get your P.

If you sold it as a fert instead of a cleaner, you would label it NPK, 0-43-0.

Biollante

[wouter]

Gentlemen,

I would like your advice:
Have a aquarium of 250 liters (66 Galons) and i am now giving 1 x per week
(stock made ​​in accordance with the EI)

60 ml of KNO3
10 ml of KH2PO4

I therefore on 30/3. If nothing has been consumed. 60/6

30 ml trace elements (Fe 0.90)
Fe 10 ml (0.20 Fe)

total Fe = 1.10 mg / l per week

Is this sufficient?

If not how many ml should I sit above or below.

because in the full report i find that this is pretty much. but if I calculate on the basis of number of co2 and watts per liter (>0.5 watt per liter). than it is right
Should I take half so that the extreme maximum coms at 30/3. Or should I let it peak at 60/6?
??

Cheers.