Hi,
First post here on the Barr Report, love the site and the newsletter (currently reading all the past issues)!
I dont pretend to understand much of the chesmsty, but have no doubts about following the method, the dosing involved and the reasons why.
Currently in the process of moving a 60ltr tank off ADA ferts and over to full EI.
But ...... (there's always a 'but')
I will soon be setting up a 240ltr planted tank and would like to run it using the EI method, however I had almost ruled it out due to the 50% water change each week.
If this was my only tank then I'd have no problem, but I'll have a 60ltr tank on EI, a 130Ltr low tech tank, 2 nano's and this 240ltr tank. All need varying degrees of water change and maintenance etc. All my water changes are done the old fashioned way ..... by bucket !
I'd like to actually spend some time enjoying the tanks, not just working on them !
Whilst reading Tom's excellent EI article, I came across the following statement .....
Obviously the requirements of individual tanks differ, but if I take the following as a baseline (from the EI light article)
40-60 Gallon Aquariums
+/- 1/2 tsp KN03 3x a week
+/- 1/8 tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/- 1/8 tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/- 1/8 (10ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change
The question is, if was looking to limit my water changes to 25% per week or 50% every 2 weeks, how would I need to adjust my dosing levels. Is it just as simple as dosing half the amount ?
EI would be my preferred route ....... Any advice very welcome
For info:
The tank will have about 2.5wpg, an Eco-complete substrate (Or possibly ADA Aquasoil) and pressurised CO2 aiming for 30ppm.
Thanks
Al
First post here on the Barr Report, love the site and the newsletter (currently reading all the past issues)!
I dont pretend to understand much of the chesmsty, but have no doubts about following the method, the dosing involved and the reasons why.
Currently in the process of moving a 60ltr tank off ADA ferts and over to full EI.
But ...... (there's always a 'but')
I will soon be setting up a 240ltr planted tank and would like to run it using the EI method, however I had almost ruled it out due to the 50% water change each week.
If this was my only tank then I'd have no problem, but I'll have a 60ltr tank on EI, a 130Ltr low tech tank, 2 nano's and this 240ltr tank. All need varying degrees of water change and maintenance etc. All my water changes are done the old fashioned way ..... by bucket !
I'd like to actually spend some time enjoying the tanks, not just working on them !
Whilst reading Tom's excellent EI article, I came across the following statement .....
Also seen this statement in the 'EI light' article...There is no hard and fast rule here when dosing or doing 50% weekly water changes. This method can be
applied to water changes once a month or once every two weeks, better more consistent results will be obtained
when doing 50% weekly water changes, but a well run tank can go longer without a water change.
This could be what I'm looking for ....The Estimative Index method works best for a high light and well planted aquarium. However it is not limited to higher light setups, smaller quantities of fertilizers can be dosed if low light is used. Also, the frequency may be reduced to 1-2x a week at low light(1.5-2w/gal).
Obviously the requirements of individual tanks differ, but if I take the following as a baseline (from the EI light article)
40-60 Gallon Aquariums
+/- 1/2 tsp KN03 3x a week
+/- 1/8 tsp KH2P04 3x a week
+/- 1/8 tsp K2S04 3x a week
+/- 1/8 (10ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change
The question is, if was looking to limit my water changes to 25% per week or 50% every 2 weeks, how would I need to adjust my dosing levels. Is it just as simple as dosing half the amount ?
EI would be my preferred route ....... Any advice very welcome
For info:
The tank will have about 2.5wpg, an Eco-complete substrate (Or possibly ADA Aquasoil) and pressurised CO2 aiming for 30ppm.
Thanks
Al