I have been dosing using EI -- a 55g and a 22g (real not nominal).
Total for both
3/4 tsp KNO3 3x a week.
this was based on the EI-Light note as well as some of my own calculations based on the fertilator.
Anyway, I decided to check the NO3 in my 22g tank -- 4 days after a 50% water change and 2 of the 3/4 tsp KNO3 doses (1/4 for the 22g tank -- I mix the 3/4 in fresh water and split it 1/3 and 2/3).
The NO3 measurment looked between 40 and 80ppm (the API test kit is a bit difficult in that region, the 2 colours are about the same). Anyway, I did another 50% water change and after 30min tested the NO3 and found it at 20ppm. This was my target.
Seems to me that if these results are even near accurate I should not be dosing KNO3 at all??
My ammonia and nitrite are 0 in both tanks. I tested this because the 22g has 2 Bala's and they were headstanding and rolling -- and a couple of web sites suggested nitrate shock.
(my test kit is new and expiry is a couple of years from now).
(edit -- forgot this )
I tested my tap water, and shows 0 nitrates -- which matches the cities specs as well.
Total for both
3/4 tsp KNO3 3x a week.
this was based on the EI-Light note as well as some of my own calculations based on the fertilator.
Anyway, I decided to check the NO3 in my 22g tank -- 4 days after a 50% water change and 2 of the 3/4 tsp KNO3 doses (1/4 for the 22g tank -- I mix the 3/4 in fresh water and split it 1/3 and 2/3).
The NO3 measurment looked between 40 and 80ppm (the API test kit is a bit difficult in that region, the 2 colours are about the same). Anyway, I did another 50% water change and after 30min tested the NO3 and found it at 20ppm. This was my target.
Seems to me that if these results are even near accurate I should not be dosing KNO3 at all??
My ammonia and nitrite are 0 in both tanks. I tested this because the 22g has 2 Bala's and they were headstanding and rolling -- and a couple of web sites suggested nitrate shock.
(my test kit is new and expiry is a couple of years from now).
(edit -- forgot this )
I tested my tap water, and shows 0 nitrates -- which matches the cities specs as well.