Water changes on "Estimated Index Dosing"

[importracer]

Estimated Index Dosage:

100 - 125 Gallon Aquarium
+/- 1 1/2 tsp KN03 3x a week
+/- ½ tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/- ½ tsp (30ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change

I'm using Greg Watson's dry ferts for my planted 100g...The "Estimated Index Dosing Chart" informs you what days to use certain ferts and what days to do water changes...Before I had plants, I did 30-40% water changes 2-3x's a week...Now this fert chart tells me to do a water change on Saturday, or only once a week...Can I go back to my weekly water changes, or do I have to follow this plant chart(once a week water change)???Thanks

 

[marke14]

I don't know for sure, but I would think you would have to add more fert. for each of the water changes, since each time you do additional water changes you would presumably be removing some of the fert. from the tank.

HOWEVER, I would also imagine that you don't want to use a full dose each time.

Anyone else?

 

[WyldFya]

I too am using Greg's ferts, and I would recommend using less KNO3. Unless you have a low bio load. I would stick to the 1 water change a week.

 

[scott67892002]

you need to do one water change a week the idea being that at the end of the week you change the water and reset the tank ready for the next week of dosing.

 

[Potts050]

Sounds pretty risky.
I would invest in a good test kit that covers the elements in the fertilizer. Follow their directions and monitor the chemistry for a couple of months to understand the relationship between what you add, what stays and what gets consummed by the plants. You may decide to do less frequent larger percentage water changes using well aged water with the correct calculated amount of ferts added to bring your water back to optimum quality.
Again go slow and measure the results.
I prefer to maitain water quality to suit fish requirements rather than plants. Just a personal preferance.

 

[scott67892002]

it's a vey well known and widly used technique. it's not risky. you are right in saying that it is geared towards plants but the fish don't suffer. i've seen plenty of discuss tanks that are running EI and they'er pretty sensative fish. i do 50% once every 2 weeks on my planted tank with water strait from the tap and i don't even use dechloriniser. my fish are fine and my plants are healthy.

read here
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=104737

 

[Dr Joe]

What size are your fish? and is that all the bio-load in the tank?

Dr Joe

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