Macros and traces

[detlef]

Hi Tom,

could you please give us an explanation why macros and traces should be added separately? Sorry if I missed the reasoning behind your dosing suggestions.

Regards,
Detlef

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Macros and traces

Fe and PO4 precipitate out of solution.

Add PO4 and the trace mix you have in a glass of your tap water.
See what happens.

A few hours difference is all you need.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[defdac]

Re: Macros and traces

I brought this up a couple of years ago at APD:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200302/
.. with precipitation movies (offline, but I can probably find them on some old dusty CD):
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200302/msg00007.html

But the response was you didn't get a precipitate?
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200302/msg00018.html

Hmm..

 

[detlef]

Re: Macros and traces

Hi again,

thanks Tom and Daniel, I've read through the old postings right now and understand how complex the Fe chemistry in water is. In the past I have added macros and trace on a daily basis altogether the same time without issues. But will start dosing trace/Fe in the morning and NO3/PO4 in the evening to see what will happen. Regarding the fast uptake rate for Fe and the duration until Fe disappeares from the water body about 12 hrs difference (morning to evening) should be sufficient to separate the nutrients from each other I suppose. Further more I will do some testing to see the interferences between PO4 and Fe if there are any at all.

Regards,
Detlef

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Macros and traces

I don't think it matters so much but dosing every other day with alternating macro/traces vs 3x a week is easier for many.

A consistent easier to tremember routine is what6 many find "better" and why folks that test often, provided their tesat kits actually work, do "better".
Anything you tend more often, you take more consistent care of the planted tank, that's often the real issue at play rather than the routine itself.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Roman]

Re: Macros and traces

Fe and PO4 precipitate out of solution.

Add PO4 and the trace mix you have in a glass of your tap water.
See what happens.

A few hours difference is all you need.

Regards,
Tom Barr

If I dose Traces (Fe) at evening when lights go off and PO4 in the morning just before lights go on, is this ok? Will it precipitate out?
I mean, plants will not use it at night, right?

 

[Roman]

Re: Macros and traces

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Macros and traces

Hi Roman. Yes, that works fine.

They do use Fe to remove PO4 from lakes actually.

Regards,
Tom Barr