This site is supported by the advertisements on it, please disable your AdBlocker so we can continue to provide you with the quality content you expect.
  1. We are after as many aquarium plant images that we can get, doing so will assist us in completing the aquarium plant database.

    https://barrreport.com/threads/aquatic-plant-images-wanted.14374/
    Dismiss Notice

Nutrient uptake

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by B20turbo, Mar 15, 2005.

  1. B20turbo

    B20turbo Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Hey guys, I currently set up a 10 gallon tank. I have been trying to find my nutrient uptake so I can fertalize the right amount. It seems like I have to add a lot of phosphate and nitrates to keep my levels where I want them to be. Just yesterday I added 8 ml of nitrate and 7 ml pf phosphate, and today when I tested (lamotte test kits) I had 4ppm nitrate and .02 phosphate. Is that normal? I do have quite a bit of light, 72 watts. 36ppm co2 pressurized. The only plants in there are glosso, cabomba and red ludwigia. I have green spot algae and knew I needed my phosphate higher, but it seems when I dosed that much yesterday, I have a lot more algae on the ludwigia. The glosso is getting bga on it too. I dose with all seachem products, are they weaker then Greg watson maybe? I get kind of worried dosing that much but the tests are still comming out low. Also, the ludwigia is showing up with cupped leaves with a very light pink color, not a rich red. I have a gh kit on the way, the one I have now is impossible to tell. If you guys could help me it would be greatly appreciated. By the way, great site :) .
     
    #1 B20turbo, Mar 15, 2005
  2. Greg Watson

    Greg Watson Administrator
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    5,023
    Likes Received:
    3
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Re: Nutrient uptake

    Yes ... this is normal ...

    You have a turbo charged supercharger on that wee bitty 10 gallon tank with all of that light and CO2 ...

    Even if you cut your lighting in half, it would still be super turbo charged ... that much light and that much carbon is light walking a tightrope a couple miles up in the air in a blowing wind ...

    So keeping up with nutrients is going to always be tough ...

    I like to think of feeding our plants in the context of the Four Basic Food Groups ... our plants need Light, Carbon, Macro Nutrients, and Micro Nutrients ...

    Right now you have your plants jacked up on a mega dose of light, and good CO2 which is going to drive macro and micro nutrient consumption to the max ...

    Tom and others might be able to tell you how you can keep up ... I know that I couldn't ...

    I often recommend the Seachem Flourish line of products for smaller tanks ... so the Seachem Flourish line of macro and micro products are fantastic products for your size of tank ... however, I can't tell you how well they will work in your "light" environment though ...

    Greg
     
    #2 Greg Watson, Mar 16, 2005
  3. Laith

    Laith Lifetime Charter Member
    Lifetime Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Re: Nutrient uptake

    Just wanted to make sure you're aware of this but doesn't LaMotte test for Nitrogen (my LaMotte kit does)? Therefore you have to multiply the reading by 4.4 to get Nitrates...

    Just in case! :)
     
    #3 Laith, Mar 16, 2005
  4. B20turbo

    B20turbo Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Re: Nutrient uptake

    Yes I have been multiplying the reading, It came out as one so actually im getting 4.4ppm, but it's pretty much the same. Im starting do wonder if I'm supplying enough trace now, Im giving it 3ml of flourish and 1ml k every other day. Should I up that as well? The green spot algae is comming on strong as of late, Getting kind of worried. Another question, do you guys prune the tops off, or do you pull them out cut the bottom and replant the tops? I tried cutting the top of one ludwigia and cabomba stem and those are the only ones that haven't grown yet. Thanks.
     
    #4 B20turbo, Mar 16, 2005
  5. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2005
    Messages:
    265
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Re: Nutrient uptake

    Unfortunately with a high tech 10 gallon tank it will always be a bit of a 'rollercoaster' ride. Very difficult to get the conditions stable. In my 20 gallon it is still a challenge. In my experience the bigger the tank the more predictable the results are.

    Ian
     
    #5 Ian H, Mar 16, 2005
  6. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
    Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2005
    Messages:
    18,678
    Likes Received:
    686
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Re: Nutrient uptake

    Try 20 - 30 watts of light on it, it's a lot more manageable.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #6 Tom Barr, Mar 16, 2005
  7. B20turbo

    B20turbo Junior Poster

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Local Time:
    5:19 PM
    Re: Nutrient uptake

    Even with the high light the red ludwigia has turned green. Am I supplying enough trace? With the amount of N03 and P04 I put in there, 3ml flourish might be low, the glosso is a pale green. Could it be the Flourish maybe, I have had it for about a year and a half open (used to use some back in the day, was still pretty much full). Does that go bad after a while?
     
    #7 B20turbo, Mar 16, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...
Similar Threads - Nutrient uptake
  1. siavash

    General Nutrient uptake

    siavash, Mar 25, 2017, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    346
    siavash
    Mar 25, 2017
  2. kevinmichael77

    Kh and nutrient uptake?

    kevinmichael77, Sep 25, 2014, in forum: General Plant Topics
    Replies:
    8
    Views:
    327
    Bala de Plata
    Oct 1, 2014
  3. soham

    Maximum nutrient uptake

    soham, Apr 5, 2013, in forum: Aquatic Plant Fertilization
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    401
    pejerrey
    Apr 5, 2013
  4. Mr_Bubbles

    nutrient levels and co2 uptake question

    Mr_Bubbles, Oct 9, 2011, in forum: Estimative Index
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    197
    scottward
    Oct 9, 2011
  5. Tom Barr

    Dr Reddy's work on uptake efficies for nutrient removal by aquatic plants

    Tom Barr, Jan 30, 2008, in forum: Aquatic Microbiology
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    132
    paludarium
    Feb 23, 2009

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice