Plant Growth Question

[DavidR]

I must know the answer to this question:

Why is it that when I do a water change (40%), my plants grow straight up for the next 2 days? After that, they will grow more laterally, or will bend a little. I've witnessed this for the last 2-3 months now. This is most apparent in my H. zosterifolia & R. rotundifolia. It affects all plants, but the other's aren't so drastic.

I change water every 4-5 days. All nutrients are good; I'm following the EI method. Pretty much everything is constant, including insane plant growth.

 

[Greg Watson]

Re: Plant Growth Question

I would suspect that we are missing something beneficial that the plants are finding in a small amount in your tap water ...

I'm inclined to ask about calcium and magnesium ... and in the absence of nutrient issues, my next question would be about water circulation ...

I'm sure the more technical people around here will jump in - most of us just need a little more information/specifics about what your water chemistry and fertilization routines are ... and I suspect Tom would also want to know what your CO2 levels are and what you are doing for CO2 ...

Thanks,
Greg

 

[DavidR]

Re: Plant Growth Question

It makes me wonder about those "ultra trace" nutrients...

Here are my water/dosing/equipment specs. I do not test anymore:

75g
Eheim 2028
Marineland HOT for extra mechanical filtration & water circulation
4x54w T-5 @ 6500K
Onyx sand top layer, Flourite bottom layer
Pressurized CO2 @ 30ppm+
40% wc every 4-5 days
KH = 13; GH = 18 (roughly)
1/2 rounded tsp. KNO3 EOD
1/8 tsp PO5 EOD (maybe a little more)
15-20 mL Flourish EOD
10-15 mL Flourish Iron once or twice a week

Water circulation isn't where I'd like it to be, but it's not bad. My impeller on my Hagen 802 powerhead broke and I have a new one coming later this week. That thing can move some water!

There's very little algae, just some tiny hairs on a few leaves; I suspect it would be nonexistent if I had a bunch of shrimp. This tank has reached that "balanced" stage where you can just dump in nutrients and the plants only grow faster. Judging from the plants, and I never thought I'd say this, but TB's dosing recommendations are actually lean!

While I'm at it, for my particular tank, does KNO3 supply enough potassium? I don't see any holes in any leaves, so I'm thinking yes? The tank is super-densely planted with many fast growers.

Thanks!