shrimp safe dosing

[convict360]

Hi all,

wondered if i could get some opinions on dosing ferts, in a tank containing cherry shrimp and minnows.

I'm very aware of the popularity of the EI method, but the trace elements of copper have me concerned; as well as the high nitrates recommended to be added to the aquarium, followed by a 50% water change each week.

I can understand the logic of throwing tonnes of nutrients at the plants, and resetting at the end of the week; thus maximising their growth in tandem with carbon dosing and light, however the fishkeeper in me is having a hard time dealing with the 30-40ppm nitrate content (and/or more) in the system...wouldn't a standard nitrate level around 10ppm suffice?

The only metaphor for this I can create, is akin to me setting out two dinner tables. At the one table, there is a full meal; that I can eat and be satisfied with. At the other is a banquet, which I glut on; then ignore the waste which subsequently rots and goes unhealthy.

Anyway, assuming I don't go heavy on the nitrate supplementation (and yes perhaps slowing plant growth); I still plan on purchasing some potassium phosphate to supplement, magnesium sulphate, potassium sulphate and maybe calcium and iron.

Be good to hear from experienced members on this,

thanks

Fat Homer

P.S also storing and mixing dry ferts would be good to hear who does what lol, and what dosages id be looking at for a 60 litre tank

 

[Fat Homer]

Okay, here is my 0.2 cents worth on the subject, since i'm far from being a prime example on fert dosing routines...

I personally tried the E.I method before, and was not a fan; the reason being that i think its more designed for tanks that are basically fully planted or fully established from the get go, so in theory with enough plants / Co2 / Light, you can use up most if not all the ferts in the tank, with naturally a little extra...

Now the reason why i'm personally not a fan of this method is because i rarely start out planted tanks fully stocked with plants, not to mention, some aquarium soils come with some level of nutrients in it... I can even tell you, with my new tank, i'm only very lightly dosing with ferts, running semi high levels of Co2, and doing a siesta between lighting schedules and can see the start of possible algae outbreaks, so with EI dosing, you really need to be on the ball with everything, and constantly dial everything in until it more or less works with your setup... coz with the extra ferts, i find algae can quite easily settle in if there aren't enough other plants to help use up the extra nutrients...

But again, i'm far from being an expert on E.I dosing, and there is a chance i may have done something wrong, so yeah, maybe wait for some of the other plant guys to chime in??? xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx for example???

 

[convict360]

Okay, here is my 0.2 cents worth on the subject, since i'm far from being a prime example on fert dosing routines...

I personally tried the E.I method before, and was not a fan; the reason being that i think its more designed for tanks that are basically fully planted or fully established from the get go, so in theory with enough plants / Co2 / Light, you can use up most if not all the ferts in the tank, with naturally a little extra...

Now the reason why i'm personally not a fan of this method is because i rarely start out planted tanks fully stocked with plants, not to mention, some aquarium soils come with some level of nutrients in it... I can even tell you, with my new tank, i'm only very lightly dosing with ferts, running semi high levels of Co2, and doing a siesta between lighting schedules and can see the start of possible algae outbreaks, so with EI dosing, you really need to be on the ball with everything, and constantly dial everything in until it more or less works with your setup... coz with the extra ferts, i find algae can quite easily settle in if there aren't enough other plants to help use up the extra nutrients...

But again, i'm far from being an expert on E.I dosing, and there is a chance i may have done something wrong, so yeah, maybe wait for some of the other plant guys to chime in??? xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx for example???

this helps mate, appreciate your opinion especially as you have the colony of shrimps; I'm eager to have the balance of plants and fish+inverts.

So when you do lightly dose, what do you do?

 

[convict360]

another option im looking at, is using TNC liquid carbon and complete in tandem, but perhaps taking it easy on the complete; but using carbon daily.

This supply would last me a long, long time economically...also reading that levels of 0.001% are acceptable copper levels for inverts, and that they need the nutrient too; so it would mean the TNC complete could be justifiable.

 

[Fat Homer]

^ not sure you need the liquid carbon if you using pressureized Co2...

As for dosing, i tend to half dose the recommended amountwith flourish complete every other day, along with potassium...

Although at the moment im still dialing in the ferts balance for my new tank...

 

[convict360]

^ not sure you need the liquid carbon if you using pressureized Co2...

As for dosing, i tend to half dose the recommended amountwith flourish complete every other day, along with potassium...

Although at the moment im still dialing in the ferts balance for my new tank...

haven't gotten the pressurised co2 yet, I'd pretty much chosen the exact system; and was ready to pull the trigger, but after looking at my plant list; a lot of them are low/medium demands, so I'm going to trial the liquid carbon first.

Plus i'll be using liquid carbon for the big tank for sure, so i'd be purchasing it anyway.

 

[Fat Homer]

Makes sense, you could try it out, just make sure not to overdose with the liquid carbon, coz for some reason i remember reading too much in a tank could effect shrimp???

Although that may have been an old wives tale of fish keeping???

 

[xxUnRaTeDxxRkOxx]

The amount of copper contained in planted aquarium fertilizers like flourish trace is minimal, and won't harm your shrimp. I've used flourish comprehensive, and trace in shrimp tanks with no negative results.

Copper activates some enzymes in plants which are involved in lignin synthesis and it is essential in several enzyme systems. It is also required in the process of photosynthesis, is essential in plant respiration and assists in plant metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins.