Dosing/water changes for non-CO2, Excel 33 gal.

[George Farmer]

I'm going to be setting up a 33 gal. soon, for a client.

Lighting is 2 x HO T5, 1.5wpg.

Substrate will be Tropica Plant Substrate and inert 1-2mm gravel. So quite nutrient poor until established.

Plants - Crypts, ferns, Anubias and Vallisneria nana. Low fish load.

I'll be dosing Tropica Plant Nutrition+ that contains N and P and regular dosing of 'Excel' (Easylife EasyCarbo) instead of CO2.

Water is soft so may need GH booster, especially for Vallis?

What dosing (Tropica+, Excel (and GH booster?)) and water change regime would you recommend, please?

Thanks!

 

[PhillyB]

Hey George,

In my experience I have been dosing the same as suggested by EI with CO2 injection once a week (as opposed to 3x a week). I am experiencing good growth and it is much easier to do once a week. My rationale was that Excel growth will be much less (I believe a 1/3 rate was quoted here previously) than CO2 injection.

Anyway that is my experience and what I have been doing with good results. My plants are also of the easier to grow variety.

John

 

[Tom Barr]

I'd do a 1/4 or so, maybe 1/5 EI if the tank is lower light.

Be a bit more conservative.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks.

How about water changes? 1/3 weekly or so?

 

[Tom Barr]

You can do weekly, but you should be okay with some tweaking and going once every 2 weeks or more even.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks, Tom.

 

[Dusko]

You can do weekly, but you should be okay with some tweaking and going once every 2 weeks or more even.

Regards,
Tom Barr

I agree. I run such a set-up with medium lights, no CO2, just Easy Carbo (3-4 x 1,5ml a week) and AquaCare+N&P from Tropica (2x 2,5ml a week), and Aquatic Nature Aqua Soil.
And because Tropica has low PO4 I also dose a tiny dash of extra KH2PO4 once a week, to keep GSA at bay.
One good thing to do when using Excel/Easy Carbo (also CO2) is moderate surface agitation (but you already know this)
Link to my Easy Carbo planted tank;
The Miniature Forest

Regards, Dusko