How much cut-back for lighting and EI dosing at startup?

[growitnow]

Hi,

90gallon, CO2, with 4x55W compact flourescent bulbs (AH Supply). Black Flourite. Plants coming in for new start up.

I plan on dosing 1/2 EI for the first 2 weeks, then switching to full EI. Lighting at full will be 8hr total, front bank on in AM, 2hr overlap with both banks on, then rear bank on for remainder day (front bank only -->2hr front+rear --> rear bank only: total photoperiod = 8hr)

Questions:

For new start up, what would be sensible lighting strategy. Or just start lights at full?
For new start up, 1/2 EI for first few weeks good?
Any recommends for iron dosing at start up?
My "full" EI below look about right?

Full EI means:
3/4 tsp KNO3, 3x
3/16 KH2PO4, 3x
15ml Tropica Trace, 3x
2 TBSP GH Booster, at water change
(lots of GH Booster, GH is normally 1 with nothing, and 1/2 TBSP GH Booster brings my 20gal GH up to about 5 [so .5 TBSP x 4 = 2 TBSP, approximating amount for 90gal])

thanks,
growitnow

 

[shoggoth43]

Which plants and do you already have fish and such? If not, then DSM may be a better option for you.

-
S

 

[growitnow]

Hi thanks, not doing dry start (good idea though ).

Intention = heavy planting at start up of:
Hygrophila corymbosa "Narrow leaf"
Hygrophila corymbosa "Siamensis"
Hygrophila corymbosa "Angustifolia"
Needle leaf java fern

Plus some:
Heteranthera zosterfolia
Blyxa japonica
Staurogyne

And a variety of crypts, anubia, hygro kompact

There is no livestock in the tank right now, but some are waiting in other tanks. I will be seeding the new filters with mulm from established tanks, as well as using turkey baster to seed bottom of new substrate with filter mulm from established tanks - immediately before initial new planting.

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I plan to heavy plant at start with Hygro, then later replace a good deal of the hygro with other stems (e.g., Pogostemon stellata, rotala, etc.). Plants are being delivered tomorrow.