I've been going through some plant forums and they dont seem very newbie friendly. I'm about to start my first planted tank, and I have no idea how to fertalize. I've read dry fertalizers are the cheapest, but on all the dosing stickies I find they dont really explain much, just tell you how much fertalizer you need, but dont specify if your adding it to a certain amount of water, or straight to your tank, ect. I'm going to be growing dwarf hairgrass, wisteria, java fern, and some other plants in a ten gallon, two 15w light bulbs with diy co2. Can anyone explain dry fertalizing for me? I'm extrodinarily confused.
Dry Fertalizing Help?
- Thread starter carsona246
- Start date
carsona246;4091166; said:
If you're a newbie I would just start out with normal liquid ferts, they're much easier to figure out and are safer for a newbie.
You may need to step up your lighting and even co2, I'm not too familiar with dwarf hair grass but I as far as I understand, I believe it requires some decent lighting.
What is the tank size?
There's plenty of sites where you can purchase dry fertilizers from, but I purchased mine from http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/
I got all four of the ones I needed for about $30 bucks. I followed the dosing chart below and it's worked out pretty well.
This is from the sticky:
Originally Posted by John N.
On Aquaria Central
Estimative Index Fertilization Method
Let’s cut to the chase. People want to have a lush planted aquarium with as little work and money as possible. When it comes to fertilizing the aquarium finding an easy, cost-efficient way can be quite a predicament – but it doesn’t have to be.
The Estimative Index (EI) popularized by Tom Barr is a straightforward fertilization method for dosing nutrients in a planted aquarium without the need for monitoring water parameters. This method works on the basic principle of supplying more nutrients to plants then what they actually consume during a week’s timeframe. At the end of each week, the hobbyist “resets” the aquarium and nutrient levels by performing a large waterchange that flushes out the system. This whole process creates an “estimative” amount of nutrient levels that are more than adequate for plants to grow healthily.
The Estimative Index method works best with high light and heavily planted aquariums, but can work with lower light levels and less plant mass by reducing the frequency or amount doses in the suggested regimes. It assumes the aquarium will have adequate CO2 of 30 ppm or above. In both high light and low light situations, the hobbyist will dose fertilizers daily according the instructions below, and do a weekly 50% water change.
The primary fertilizers used in any planted aquarium are the macro nutrients – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), and the micro/trace elements (Plantex CSM+B, Seachem Flourish, Tropica Plant Nutrition). Iron (Fe) can also be supplemented if desired, but in most cases not necessary.
How do I use these fertilizers and the Estimative Index?
Fertilizing via EI is simple. Every other day dose the prescribed macros elements, and on the off days add in the trace/micro elements. Perform a 50% waterchange at the end of the week. By following one of the commonly used dosing programs below for your specific tank size you can ensure your plants are getting what the need throughout the week.
10-20 Gallons
1/8 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/32 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/32 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/32 tsp (2ml) traces 3x a week
20-40 Gallons
1/4 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/16 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/16 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/16 tsp (5ml) traces 3x a week
40-60 Gallons
1/2 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/8 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/8 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/8 tsp (10 ml) traces 3x a week
60-80 Gallons
3/4 tsp KNO3 3x a week
3/16 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/4 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/4 tsp (15ml) traces 3x a week
100-125 Gallons
1 1/2 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/2 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/2 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/2 tsp (30ml) traces 3x a week
Example of a dosing program for a 29 gallon tank.
*K2SO4 is not required for dosing unless you need the extra Potassium (K). This K is found in KN03 and KH2P04. Dosing these two according to above will yield sufficient K levels. Therefore, one will be fine dosing only KN03 and KH2P04, and Plantex. However, if one finds the need to supplement the K2SO4, there is no harm by dosing this chemical as part of your fertilization regime.
Where can I buy the fertilizers and chemicals?
Aquarium Fertilizers can provide you with the necessary chemicals for dry and liquid dosing of the above. For micro - trace elements, Plantex CSM+B, Seachem Flourish, and Tropica [/color]Plant Nutrition are equivalent to each other. For the Seachem and Tropica brands visit Drsfostersmith.com and Bigalsonline.com.
One pound bags of each of Aquarium Fertilizer Chemicals will last at least 1 year:
· (Trace) Plantex CSM+B
· (N) Potassium Nitrate KN03
· (P) Monopotassium Phosphate KH2P04
· (K) Potassium Sulphate K2S04 (optional)
Special Notes:
Providing optimal CO2 levels of at least 30 ppm are necessary for plants to prosper and out-compete algae. If algae issue arise, remove all visible algae and infected leaves. Recheck CO2 levels, and possibly reduce and adjust the lighting period.
Direct dry dosing into the tank is perfectly fine. Many dosing straight into the tank, or they dissolve each chemical in water before adding.
Making a Liquid Stock of Plantex CSM+B is more often mixed into a bulk liquid solution since some find it more convenient to dose their trace elements this way. The recipe for this solution is 1 tablespoon to 250ml water is equivalent to: 20 ml = 1/4 teaspoon of dry Plantex. This solution is stored in refrigerators to prevent mold from forming within the container. For making stock solutions for NPK use Chuck Gladd's Conversion Calculator.
Small dosing teaspoons (smidgen, dash, pinch) can be found at Linen & Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Wal-Mart, dollar stores, eBay and other online retailers. To identify the specific measurements of your smidgen, dash, pinch set, a 1/8 tsp should fill a ¼ tsp in 2 tries, 1/16 tsp in 4 tries, and a 1/32 tsp in 8 tries.
You will see results right after the first week of dosing. Your plants will grow faster and your plants will look healthier. Keep with the dosing program, and you'll see your planted aquarium become a nice looking showpiece for your home.
-John N.
AquaScaping World Magazine
What is the tank size?
There's plenty of sites where you can purchase dry fertilizers from, but I purchased mine from http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/
I got all four of the ones I needed for about $30 bucks. I followed the dosing chart below and it's worked out pretty well.
This is from the sticky:
Originally Posted by John N.
On Aquaria Central
Estimative Index Fertilization Method
Let’s cut to the chase. People want to have a lush planted aquarium with as little work and money as possible. When it comes to fertilizing the aquarium finding an easy, cost-efficient way can be quite a predicament – but it doesn’t have to be.
The Estimative Index (EI) popularized by Tom Barr is a straightforward fertilization method for dosing nutrients in a planted aquarium without the need for monitoring water parameters. This method works on the basic principle of supplying more nutrients to plants then what they actually consume during a week’s timeframe. At the end of each week, the hobbyist “resets” the aquarium and nutrient levels by performing a large waterchange that flushes out the system. This whole process creates an “estimative” amount of nutrient levels that are more than adequate for plants to grow healthily.
The Estimative Index method works best with high light and heavily planted aquariums, but can work with lower light levels and less plant mass by reducing the frequency or amount doses in the suggested regimes. It assumes the aquarium will have adequate CO2 of 30 ppm or above. In both high light and low light situations, the hobbyist will dose fertilizers daily according the instructions below, and do a weekly 50% water change.
The primary fertilizers used in any planted aquarium are the macro nutrients – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), and the micro/trace elements (Plantex CSM+B, Seachem Flourish, Tropica Plant Nutrition). Iron (Fe) can also be supplemented if desired, but in most cases not necessary.
How do I use these fertilizers and the Estimative Index?
Fertilizing via EI is simple. Every other day dose the prescribed macros elements, and on the off days add in the trace/micro elements. Perform a 50% waterchange at the end of the week. By following one of the commonly used dosing programs below for your specific tank size you can ensure your plants are getting what the need throughout the week.
10-20 Gallons
1/8 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/32 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/32 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/32 tsp (2ml) traces 3x a week
20-40 Gallons
1/4 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/16 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/16 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/16 tsp (5ml) traces 3x a week
40-60 Gallons
1/2 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/8 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/8 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/8 tsp (10 ml) traces 3x a week
60-80 Gallons
3/4 tsp KNO3 3x a week
3/16 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/4 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/4 tsp (15ml) traces 3x a week
100-125 Gallons
1 1/2 tsp KNO3 3x a week
1/2 tsp KH2PO4 3x a week
1/2 tsp K2SO4 3x a week
1/2 tsp (30ml) traces 3x a week
Example of a dosing program for a 29 gallon tank.
*K2SO4 is not required for dosing unless you need the extra Potassium (K). This K is found in KN03 and KH2P04. Dosing these two according to above will yield sufficient K levels. Therefore, one will be fine dosing only KN03 and KH2P04, and Plantex. However, if one finds the need to supplement the K2SO4, there is no harm by dosing this chemical as part of your fertilization regime.
Where can I buy the fertilizers and chemicals?
Aquarium Fertilizers can provide you with the necessary chemicals for dry and liquid dosing of the above. For micro - trace elements, Plantex CSM+B, Seachem Flourish, and Tropica [/color]Plant Nutrition are equivalent to each other. For the Seachem and Tropica brands visit Drsfostersmith.com and Bigalsonline.com.
One pound bags of each of Aquarium Fertilizer Chemicals will last at least 1 year:
· (Trace) Plantex CSM+B
· (N) Potassium Nitrate KN03
· (P) Monopotassium Phosphate KH2P04
· (K) Potassium Sulphate K2S04 (optional)
Special Notes:
Providing optimal CO2 levels of at least 30 ppm are necessary for plants to prosper and out-compete algae. If algae issue arise, remove all visible algae and infected leaves. Recheck CO2 levels, and possibly reduce and adjust the lighting period.
Direct dry dosing into the tank is perfectly fine. Many dosing straight into the tank, or they dissolve each chemical in water before adding.
Making a Liquid Stock of Plantex CSM+B is more often mixed into a bulk liquid solution since some find it more convenient to dose their trace elements this way. The recipe for this solution is 1 tablespoon to 250ml water is equivalent to: 20 ml = 1/4 teaspoon of dry Plantex. This solution is stored in refrigerators to prevent mold from forming within the container. For making stock solutions for NPK use Chuck Gladd's Conversion Calculator.
Small dosing teaspoons (smidgen, dash, pinch) can be found at Linen & Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Wal-Mart, dollar stores, eBay and other online retailers. To identify the specific measurements of your smidgen, dash, pinch set, a 1/8 tsp should fill a ¼ tsp in 2 tries, 1/16 tsp in 4 tries, and a 1/32 tsp in 8 tries.
You will see results right after the first week of dosing. Your plants will grow faster and your plants will look healthier. Keep with the dosing program, and you'll see your planted aquarium become a nice looking showpiece for your home.
-John N.
AquaScaping World Magazine
so if i was dosing for kno3 i would put 1/8 of a teaspoon in my tank 3x a week? I should have about 30 wpg, which i know isn't the most reliable way to tell, but i think i'll be fine. Its in a ten gallon, and dry ferts are cheaper than liquid, and last longer from what i've read right?
IF you are just established the tank, you do have to us fertilizer in the first month. You can find dry fertilizer anywhere, you can either through straight into the tank, or mix it with water and then drop it in. good luck
I've been reading about a lot of people using green light stump remover, fleet enema, and epsom salt for diy fertalizer that you can get at walmart. Is this safe to use? I found a recipe on how to mix them all into a 2 liter bottle and just put 10 ml in the tank throughout the week. Seems easy and cheap?
it can be safe to do diy ferts. you can also mix the dry ferts and make basically your own liquid ferts for a fraction of the price too. epsom salt might not be needed and this doesnt take into acount the trace ferts you need. when i first started i looked into the whole diy ferts ended up just going with the dry ferts.
http://www.bobstropicalplants.com/store/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_41
http://www.bobstropicalplants.com/store/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_41
yea, i guess i was just looking at the wrong websites, but once i realized dr. foster and smiths didn't sell dry micros I just decided to buy all my dry ferts from a website and deal with the shipping fee. Its really not that bad considering I'm expecting it to last me a year