Noob question - GH booster for flooding after dry start

[pat w]

I have soft water so I'll be adding GH booster with my 50% water changes every week. I'm planning on proceeding with the flood after the dry start this weekend. I assume I just need to double up on the GH booster and add the macros then proceed as normal with the standard EI routine till I see some need to adjust.

Just need some confirmation on the GH boost doubling for the flood for now, unless someone notices somewhere I missed something else.

Planned weekly dosing:
KNO3 1-1/4 tsp x3
KH2PO4 1/4 tsp x3
CSM+B 1/4 tsp x3
GH Boost 1-1/4 tsp w/WC according to basic EI rates, for now.

Thanks,
Pat

 

[jonny_ftm]

I don't see issues with your dosing. About GH booster, plants won't care much. You can double GH if you like, it won't hurt.

When flooded, I'd make 2-3 WC /week first, also many rinsing before final flood. It is important as during the DSM, many organic matter can accumulate on soil/plants depending on DSM duration.

Some photos of your DSM would be a great addition to us

 

[pat w]

Some photos of your DSM would be a great addition to us

These a nearly two weeks old. I'll be doing some more before the flood.

Later,
Pat

 

[jonny_ftm]

2 months is a better wait in my opinion. 2-4 weeks is just short for a cycling of soil

 

[Biollante]

Patience

Hi Pat,

I am with Jonny on the wait a little longer before flooding, two months is a good idea, six weeks at least. I know others have done it quicker, for a quick start I think it is best if you have had to do a little trimming (remember to replant).

Not only will the soil cycle, but the plants will have had a chance to make the full transition.

Once you flood, I would not worry about doubling up GH booster (though it will not hurt) or any of the nutrients, three or four water changes two days apart then start worrying about EI dosing, then twice a week water changes for a month or so.

You should find you get quite a bit of carry over by the plants themselves for upwards of twelve weeks. This is where many beginners make a big mistake, they have been at it for three months and everything seems fine then, the algae sets in, the plants and often the critters struggle and die. You can read it over and over on the forums, all the while convinced they know better since things went so well for the first two or three months.

Patience and care for the first six months will make the next five years a breeze, so much so that you will likely, foolishly I might add, go on to set up other tanks. :gw It is an illness.

If I have not said so, wow that is a nice tank and will be a true beauty.

Biollante

 

[pat w]

Jonny, Bio;

Thanks for the warning. ... OK, trim and replant ... the following pics reflect roughly four weeks in ... BTW, is Rotala a slow grower or do I have a problem there?

Just wondern' ... Have any of you SEEN 'Little Shop of Horrors'?

Pat

 

[Biollante]

Feed Me Seymour, Er, Ah, Pat

Hi Pat,

Actually, it all looks good. I guess I would have expected a little more growth from the Rotala rotundifolia, though the plants are likely concentrating on root or bulk development.

As you trim and expand the growth areas

I think the growth in the tank is outstanding, consider a shot of CO2 every now and then.

'Little Shop of Horrors' my favorite are you kidding! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGRN39oifsE

Biollante

 

[jonny_ftm]

I found plants grow faster submerged than emerged in my case. Since they are healthy and nice looking, don't worry. I find your growing plants very healthy, really nice looking plants. Be patient, continue that way, and you'll be rewarded.

One submerged, fully CO2 injection is needed, good yellow tint, high flow

No fish for the first 4 weeks I'd say. I went extreme in the tank in my signature: 4.5 months emersed. Shrimps added 4 weeks later, fish 4 months after submersion
Before shrimps and as soon as I reduced CO2 to acceptable doses for living animals (about 3 weeks after submersion), I put in a lot of snails (Malaysian Trumpet snail, Ramshorn snail and pond snails). I started with some 20 of each. Ramshorn and Malayan are exceptional at removing any decaying leave. With them, I don't have to bother in 5 months immersion with leaves

 

[pat w]

Still Grow'n dry with some surprises

Still going according to the plan. The Lindernia and Polygonum still growing like crazy. Plus a couple of surprises;

A bloom on the Lindernia

And a bud on the Polygonum

Later,
Pat

 

[Biollante]

A Product of Patience

Hi Pat,

Isn’t that just cool, one of the true joys of plants and patience.

Biollante

 

[jonny_ftm]

Your patience will be rewarded, great that you could wait before flooding, nice plants growth even if I don't like the hardscaping , I prefer natural, but that's my taste

Congratulations and let us know how it goes once immersed. Remember, CO2 must be bumped at very high levels, yellow tint on drop checker (no fish, shrimps or snails must be introduced while CO2 is that high, about 3-4 weeks) and dose ferts + frequent waterchanges, up to 2-3x/week on start to remove the maximum of decaying organics