Suggested EI for lower light?

[scubasmac]

I'm a total noob to planted aquaria. Like many my experience was in reefkeeping. I have just generic plants you find at your local Petsmart. The tank is only 2 months old and half planted now. I plan on more plants as I get more experience.

My goal and method of choice is a light limiting method. I'm having some mild algae issues which I figure could be from lack of nutrients and/or CO2 based on reading the great info here. I've mildly started with the EI dosing method but it seems the models are for high light heavily planted tanks. Could someone describe a weekly regime of EI for what I consider a low light medium planted tank? Am I getting close with 3 bps CO2? Any other suggestions for my benefit?

I have KNO3, KH2PO4, Flourish(will be getting CSM+B once I run out) and I need GH booster.

Tap water here runs at 3KH and 10GH according to API kits.

90 gal with sealed wet/dry
2x2 bulb Solarmax T5HE(NO) sitting on tank rim (112 watts total)
140 lbs Eco-complete with flourish root tabs spaced near plants
Mag 3 return, Koralia Evolution 550 for circulation
Pressurized CO2 fed into a Barr external venturi reactor run by an Eheim 1250. Outlet is run into the return pump. Currently at ~3 bps on a Milwaukee reg.

I have maybe half the tank planted with Cabomba, wisteria, scarlet temple, moneywort and 1 Crypt wendtii red.

12 Congo tetra
12 Neon tetra
3 peppered corys
8 odessa barbs(still in QT for another 1 1/2 weeks)

Sorry if I'm all over the place. Just trying to get all the info in here without becoming an ongoing post. If you need more info just ask.

Thanks
Stephen

 

[Jim Miller]

There's little monetary benefit to turning down the ferts. Just dose full EI. Once you get the tank stable if you want to lower the ferts then do so slowly until problems arise. Remember ferts needs rise as plants getting bigger.

jim

 

[Dabrits]

I agree with Jim. I have a low/medium light tank (1.6 wpg) but I still dose full EI. As long as you keep up your water changes, you should be fine dosing full EI. From what I understand the EI was just an estimate of what the most nutrient consuming tank would need. That way your are almost positive that your plants have the nutrients available. Then all you have left to worry about is how long your lights are on and how much CO2 you dose.

 

[scubasmac]

So as long as I keep up with the water changes there shouldn't be a problem? Not really trying to save money but if I could get away with dosing only once a week that would be a big time saver.
Your right Jim. Maybe I can soon get the tank stable since its fairly new and increasing the bioload rather rapidly.