Need help with levels,please.

[majerah1]

I have read through the stickies and I am still super confused.Was thinking if I list my setup and ferts,possibly someone could tell what they would dose and how much.

Its a 29 gallon.I have a pressurized CO2 and its one BPS.It comes on at 8 and off at 7:30.I am still adjusting the lighting period,which goes the same(same timer.)Lighting is 2 X24 watt HO T5.Bulbs are the stock bulbs that came with the light,a Nova Extreme Light.I did have it on the top of the tank without the legs but am thinking of placing the legs on it to keep the light on longer,or does that even help determine that?

My ferts is CSM+b,Mono potassium phosphate and Potassium Nitrate.

I do have an algae issue(of course I knew I would until I got things balanced)I have green algae,the stuff that sticks to the glass well and brown diatom algae.

My ferts are liquid but I do have some of the powdered too still.I was wanting to know how much to dose of the liquid on a daily basis,and how much I should turn my light down.Should I get a timer for the CO2 to be on its own?

Also,I can list my plants and the fish if needed,but not really sure if that will have an impact.

 

[Charles Crews]

Your lighting period is definitely long, you might tune it back to 8 hours a day. Ebay has cheap co2 drop checkers, I suggest getting one of those going in your tank so you can know where your c02 ppm sits. These two things will get you much closer on your algae issue. As for the ferts, without knowing the brand it will be difficult for anyone to tell you how much to dose.

 

[majerah1]

Thanks for the response!As for the brand of ferts they are from aquariumfertilizer.com

I have a drop checker,but its been almost impossible to find affordable 4DKH solution.I was trying to trade some plant for some but no one has been interested so far.

 

[tjbuege]

I have a drop checker,but its been almost impossible to find affordable 4DKH solution.I was trying to trade some plant for some but no one has been interested so far.

I made my own solution using common baking soda and distilled water. Here's one person's formula: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/planted-tank-faq/42429-kh-standard-how.html. I store the 40dkh solution in an airtight glass jar, and when I need to refill my drop checker, I mix one part solution with 9 parts distilled water. The result is very near to 4dkh. Close enough for our purposes.

 

[majerah1]

Thanks for that link!I will look into making some tomorrow.

 

[nipat]

I don't know where the sentence saying something like
"simulate tropical habitat by using 12-14 hours photo period" comes from.
I'm in the tropical myself. The longest photo period to simulate the day here,
I think, should be about 8-10 hours.

Amano, who seems very keen to simulate nature, chooses 10 hours.

 

[chopsticks]

Im too from the tropics and near summer solstice, where the days are the longest, we have light for about 13 hours, but even on that time, we have intense light for about 8 hours, from 8a.m. to 4p.m. and I think most plants in nature will get only intense light for half that time at most.

 

[Biollante]

A Pinch O This A Dash O That


Hi,

While I would adjust the lighting and CO[SUB]2[/SUB] your dosing question is the easiest.


For a 29-gallon tank, I would dose:
¼ teaspoon KNO[SUB]3[/SUB] three times a week
[SUP]1[/SUP]⁄[SUB]32 [/SUB] teaspoon KH[SUB]2[/SUB]PO[SUB]4[/SUB] three times a week
[SUP]1[/SUP]⁄[SUB]8 [/SUB] teaspoon CSM+B three times a week


I hope this helps. This stuff is easier to do than tell.


Biollante

 

[majerah1]

I don't know where the sentence saying something like
"simulate tropical habitat by using 12-14 hours photo period" comes from.
I'm in the tropical myself. The longest photo period to simulate the day here,
I think, should be about 8-10 hours.

Amano, who seems very keen to simulate nature, chooses 10 hours.

I have been meaning to turn it down some.When I had it mounted I had the light and no issues with algae at all.This was before the CO2.Its back on legs now,and I am turning it down to about nine hours first and see how that does.

I found some spring water for the 4DKH.Will that work?Bought fresh baking soda and am looking for a gram scale.

 

[majerah1]

Hi,

While I would adjust the lighting and CO[SUB]2[/SUB] your dosing question is the easiest.


For a 29-gallon tank, I would dose:
¼ teaspoon KNO[SUB]3[/SUB] three times a week
[SUP]1[/SUP]⁄[SUB]32 [/SUB] teaspoon KH[SUB]2[/SUB]PO[SUB]4[/SUB] three times a week
[SUP]1[/SUP]⁄[SUB]8 [/SUB] teaspoon CSM+B three times a week


I hope this helps. This stuff is easier to do than tell.


Biollante

Thanks a ton,that help more than you know!

forgot to ask,is this the powdered dosage or liquid?

 

[tjbuege]

I found some spring water for the 4DKH.Will that work?Bought fresh baking soda and am looking for a gram scale.

No, I think it needs to be either distilled water or DI (deionized) water. I think the minerals in the spring water will throw the solution off. Maybe others here can comment further.

 

[Matsyendra]

Thanks a ton,that help more than you know!

forgot to ask,is this the powdered dosage or liquid?

That would be powdered dosing.

 

[Biollante]

450-ml = 15-ml * 30


Hi,

Yes, that was dry dosing.


To dose liquid form that can be more convenient, especially when trying to dose small amounts.


Into a container (dark container is best, empty hydrogen peroxide battles are great for this) label the container “Macros, 15-ml/day,” date and
add a little less than 400-ml of distilled water
Add 3 teaspoons of KNO[SUB]3[/SUB]
Add 1/3 teaspoon KH[SUB]2[/SUB]PO[SUB]4[/SUB]
if you have it add 2 teaspoons of gypsum or plaster of Paris (no additives)
cap and shake vigorously
add enough distilled water to make 450-ml, cap, shake vigorously


Dose 15-ml per day, you have a 30-day Macro supply.



Into a container (dark container is best, empty hydrogen peroxide battles are great for this) label the container “Micros, 10-ml/day, Shake before using” date and
add 200-ml of distilled water
add 1.5 teaspoons CSM+B
add 3 teaspoons of Epsom salt if you have it
cap and shake vigorously
add enough water to equal 300-ml, cap {I edited this Tim pointed out I had originally said "add enough to equal 250-ml," good catch. 8:47pm 09072011}

Dose 10-ml per day and you have a 30 day supply.

Making sure everything is clean goes a long way to avoid the mixes (especially the "Micros") getting "funky." Should you have a problem mixing in a little Excel, HCl or a crushed quarter tablet of Vitamin C should help.



Biollante

 

[tjbuege]

Personally, I like this method, mixing a solution and dosing everyday. For me, it's easier. I don't have to remember if I dosed yesterday or not.

add enough water to equal 250-ml, cap

Dose 10-ml per day and you have a 30 day supply.

Did you mean to say 300 ml? 10 ml per day x 30 days = 300 ml, not 250 ml.

 

[Biollante]

Thanks... Usually Nipat Catches My Errors...


Hi Tim,

Thanks, the kind of stupid errors for which I am famous.



I corrected the post above to avoid confusing anyone else.



Biollante

 

[tjbuege]

Hi Tim,

Thanks, the kind of stupid errors for which I am famous.



I corrected the post above to avoid confusing anyone else.



Biollante

Hi Biollante,

Your welcome. I've been there. My wife is always telling me I said one thing, when I *KNOW* I said something else.

 

[majerah1]

Thanks!

You guys have helped me a ton,much appreciated!Ill get a pic of the tank later.Not as impressive as anyone of yours but meh its getting there!