New To Ei With Startup Question

[Redagg65]

Hello. Not brand new to the hobby but back after a 10 year hiatus and wanting to go hi tech. I’m starting with the following:

40 gal breeder
Amazonia Aquasoil (questioning the wisdom of that choice right now)
Fluval Plant 3.0 LED light
Eheim Pro+ 350 plus AquaClear 50 hob filter
GLA single stage regulator with inline diffuser and 10 lb cylinder
GLA fertilizer package got the EI program

So my first order of plants arrive via USPS this weekend. I added the Aquasoil 2 weeks ago and am having from what I read, the common cloudy water problems at startup. Have done maybe 15 water changes since starting and fully intend to maintain the daily changes for at least the 1st week after planting then going to every other day. So my question is do I hold off adding ferts until I am at a weekly water change schedule? Seems I would just be dumping salts down the drain and actually promoting algae growth with insufficient nutrients for the new plants with daily changes.

Also, will this cloudy water require me to lengthen my guess at initial lighting interval of 10 hours per day? Does that seem light a reasonable starting interval? Seems the murky water would have a negative impact on PAR but I am clueless on light measurement at this stage.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Redagg65]

Would like to bump this for any thoughts please. Thank you.

 

[Phishless]

So my question is do I hold off adding ferts until I am at a weekly water change schedule? Seems I would just be dumping salts down the drain and actually promoting algae growth with insufficient nutrients for the new plants with daily changes.

Possibly add PO4 if you want to keep it in the water column early on.
Waiting till weekly WC's is probably fine.
When I start a dirted tank I don't dose for the first month.

Also, will this cloudy water require me to lengthen my guess at initial lighting interval of 10 hours per day?

I'd use a 6-7 hour photoperiod until NH3/NH4 is under control from the aquasoil.

Are you using RO water with the aquasoil?

 

[Redagg65]

Thank you for your response and help.

 

[Redagg65]

Thank you for your response and help.

Sorry didnt answer your question - no RO water and would like to avoid that if possible. I think my cities’ tap water is pretty decent.