Hi all. Thanks for the great website loaded with valuable information.
I recently set up my first aquarium in about 15 years. The tank is about 2.5 months old and has gone through several redesigns and I have finally settled on what I like. Because of my travel schedule etc i've decided on a Non CO2 setup. My Anacharis and Java Fern seem to be doing well, the Anubias Hastifolia has sprouted a new stem and my Jungle val has started growing after being dormant from when i planted it 2 or so weeks ago. The problem is that the Dwarf Sagittaria and Sword have shown signs of deficiency including yellowing of leaves and holes and edges missing on the sword although both are showing new growth. I'm also dealing with GDA and a bit of residual brown algae. After reading Tom's dosing recommendation I've decided to follow the method below as soon as my supplies arrive:
"While trace mixes can be added, I decided to use SeaChem Equlibrium instead.
It has Fe and Mn as well as Ca/K/Mg/SO4.
I will add about 1/4 teaspoon per 20 gal tank once every week or two.
This greatly enhances the growth of the plants.
I also will add about 1/8 and 1/32 teaspoon of KNO3 and KH2PO4 respectively once a week or two"
Since I have a 45 gallon aquarium I was planning on 1/2 tsp per week of Equilibrium, 1/4 tsp of KNO3 and 1/16 KH2PO4
So the above makes sense until I read the instructions on the bottle of Equilibrium and it states: "Plant preferences may vary but a general guide is about 1-2 meq/l (3-6dH) or match the existing or target carbonate hardness (KH, which ideally is also about 1-2 meq/l (3-6dH)". So I get that we are doing a non=limiting dose of nutrients but when I look at my parameters below I'm wondering if I may risk putting the system out of balance. Or am I over thinking this?
Here's my tank:
45 gallon (24" high), Emperor 400 HOB Filter, 3- 18 lb bags Eco Complete substrate mixed with 1 bag of of standard gravel, heated to 76 deg, HOT5 78W with 1 6700K and 1 10,000K bulb set @ 22" off the substrate on for 8 hour per day (dropped from 9.5).
Plants: Anacharis, Java Fern, Amazon Sword, Dwarf Sagittaria, Anubias Hastifolia and Jungle Val.
Fish: Turquiose & Boesemani Rainbows, Neon Tetras, Columbian Tetras, Peppered Corys, Siamese Algae Eaters and Amano Shrimp
Water: Amonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 10 (were 0 for a long time), pH-7.8 GH- 9 KH-5
Thoughts on the pH, GH and KH? Any other recommendations are appreciated.
I recently set up my first aquarium in about 15 years. The tank is about 2.5 months old and has gone through several redesigns and I have finally settled on what I like. Because of my travel schedule etc i've decided on a Non CO2 setup. My Anacharis and Java Fern seem to be doing well, the Anubias Hastifolia has sprouted a new stem and my Jungle val has started growing after being dormant from when i planted it 2 or so weeks ago. The problem is that the Dwarf Sagittaria and Sword have shown signs of deficiency including yellowing of leaves and holes and edges missing on the sword although both are showing new growth. I'm also dealing with GDA and a bit of residual brown algae. After reading Tom's dosing recommendation I've decided to follow the method below as soon as my supplies arrive:
"While trace mixes can be added, I decided to use SeaChem Equlibrium instead.
It has Fe and Mn as well as Ca/K/Mg/SO4.
I will add about 1/4 teaspoon per 20 gal tank once every week or two.
This greatly enhances the growth of the plants.
I also will add about 1/8 and 1/32 teaspoon of KNO3 and KH2PO4 respectively once a week or two"
Since I have a 45 gallon aquarium I was planning on 1/2 tsp per week of Equilibrium, 1/4 tsp of KNO3 and 1/16 KH2PO4
So the above makes sense until I read the instructions on the bottle of Equilibrium and it states: "Plant preferences may vary but a general guide is about 1-2 meq/l (3-6dH) or match the existing or target carbonate hardness (KH, which ideally is also about 1-2 meq/l (3-6dH)". So I get that we are doing a non=limiting dose of nutrients but when I look at my parameters below I'm wondering if I may risk putting the system out of balance. Or am I over thinking this?
Here's my tank:
45 gallon (24" high), Emperor 400 HOB Filter, 3- 18 lb bags Eco Complete substrate mixed with 1 bag of of standard gravel, heated to 76 deg, HOT5 78W with 1 6700K and 1 10,000K bulb set @ 22" off the substrate on for 8 hour per day (dropped from 9.5).
Plants: Anacharis, Java Fern, Amazon Sword, Dwarf Sagittaria, Anubias Hastifolia and Jungle Val.
Fish: Turquiose & Boesemani Rainbows, Neon Tetras, Columbian Tetras, Peppered Corys, Siamese Algae Eaters and Amano Shrimp
Water: Amonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 10 (were 0 for a long time), pH-7.8 GH- 9 KH-5
Thoughts on the pH, GH and KH? Any other recommendations are appreciated.
Last edited by a moderator:
