Hi guys,
I am new to aquaria and immediately fell in love with planted tanks!
I have a Juwel rio 180 (40 uk gallons) and since frequenting forums and scouring the web for articles relating to plant care I have come across the ei system and of course the legend of tom barr.
Now then, I have recently purchased some pmdd which were magnesium sulphate, iron sulphate, potassium nitrate and trace elements mix, I also purchased some seachem flourish potassium.
The plants I have are riccia, water lettuce, hygrophilia deformis, hygrophilia polysperma, java fern, java moss, amazon sword, cabomba caroliniana, bacopa, and a tiger lotus.
I initially had a problem with hazy water (it was'nt green) and I suspected it to be algae, so I purchased a uv steriliser which cleared the water up beautifully, (Phosphates where very high at 5ppm).
Today I decided to do a 50% water change and dose with the dry ferts, however, I think something has gone wrong as the water is extremely milky since the ferts have been added (1 hour ago) I have put on the uv again, but I dont think it will sort it out as the problem, I think, is the ferts)
I added, 1/4 teaspoon of magnesium sulphate
1/2 teaspoon of kno3
1/8 of iron and 1/8 teaspoon of trace mix and the 5ml of flourish K
The ph is 6.8 with very soft water running at around 3 degrees KH
Please could someone tell me where I have gone wrong and how best to dose my tank?
I have heard that most people make up a stock solution but I am also unsure as to whether people mix all their ferts in one solution or use a different bottle for each dry ingredient?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
forgot to add, I have added some rowaphos to the internal filter (in a womens stocking to keep it together) in an attempt to lower the phosphate level also, I dont know if this has any bearing but I thought I would mention it!
Sorry, I also forgot to mention I have upgraded the lights to 2x 39watt t5's to run alongside the juwel t8's giving me a total of 130 watts
I also have 2 diy hagen co2 units running into the tank and a silica sand substrate
Thanks
I am new to aquaria and immediately fell in love with planted tanks!
I have a Juwel rio 180 (40 uk gallons) and since frequenting forums and scouring the web for articles relating to plant care I have come across the ei system and of course the legend of tom barr.
Now then, I have recently purchased some pmdd which were magnesium sulphate, iron sulphate, potassium nitrate and trace elements mix, I also purchased some seachem flourish potassium.
The plants I have are riccia, water lettuce, hygrophilia deformis, hygrophilia polysperma, java fern, java moss, amazon sword, cabomba caroliniana, bacopa, and a tiger lotus.
I initially had a problem with hazy water (it was'nt green) and I suspected it to be algae, so I purchased a uv steriliser which cleared the water up beautifully, (Phosphates where very high at 5ppm).
Today I decided to do a 50% water change and dose with the dry ferts, however, I think something has gone wrong as the water is extremely milky since the ferts have been added (1 hour ago) I have put on the uv again, but I dont think it will sort it out as the problem, I think, is the ferts)
I added, 1/4 teaspoon of magnesium sulphate
1/2 teaspoon of kno3
1/8 of iron and 1/8 teaspoon of trace mix and the 5ml of flourish K
The ph is 6.8 with very soft water running at around 3 degrees KH
Please could someone tell me where I have gone wrong and how best to dose my tank?
I have heard that most people make up a stock solution but I am also unsure as to whether people mix all their ferts in one solution or use a different bottle for each dry ingredient?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
forgot to add, I have added some rowaphos to the internal filter (in a womens stocking to keep it together) in an attempt to lower the phosphate level also, I dont know if this has any bearing but I thought I would mention it!
Sorry, I also forgot to mention I have upgraded the lights to 2x 39watt t5's to run alongside the juwel t8's giving me a total of 130 watts
I also have 2 diy hagen co2 units running into the tank and a silica sand substrate
Thanks