table measurments (dash, pinch, etc) to grams

[ir0n_ma1den]

Hi everybody,

I have this cool gram scaler and would like to use it for dosing instead of the inaccurate table measurements. Is there a conversion chart for converting table measurements to grams or ounces?

thanks

 

[rusticitas]

I think AquaticPlantCentral.com's "Fertilator" already does this for KNO3, KH2PH4, etc... Also, Chuck Gadd's will convert as well (you type in tsp's and it will show grams as well).

If you're using EI, the tsp method is much quicker and faster. You're not after exactitude with EI, but providing "more than minimum" and "less than too much".

-Jason

 

[Tom Barr]

Hi everybody,

I have this cool gram scaler and would like to use it for dosing instead of the inaccurate table measurements.

thanks

You assume that you need such accuracy even with all the other variables such as plant species, a precise known water volume, bacterial loading, fish loading, food feeding differences, plant biomass, I think you get the picture...........

While many assume that you need such accuracy, THEY FAIL TO FOCUS ON A FAR MORE DEPENDENT NUTRIENT, CO2.

Testing and measuring this will give you far more practical results than accuracy in dosing.

There's a wide "range" of nutrients that plants will fair very well at.
I'd not be so concerned unless you are looking at bare critical minimums or at maximums.

Minimums will vary for plant species, and the other short list of factors listed above. Maximums will be at the toxic levels.

Then there are simple non limiting levels.
Those are the ones I target.
The min amounts is a much smaller target to hit and you can end up stunting plants, whereas non limiting provides more stability and easier to hit.

We had this same discussion back in 1995-1997 about the accuracy and methods used to test.



Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[gingerinaustin]

Measuring spoons and syringes measure volume.
Scales measure weight.
Two different things.
Just as a teaspoon of feathers would have a different weight than a teaspoon of lead, a teaspoon of trace element powder would have a different weight than a teaspoon of liquid trace element solution.
So there isn't a "1 teaspoon always weighs xx grams" conversion chart out there.
Nor have I seen a chart that lists volume/weight conversions for all the various aquarium ferts on the market, as Tom and Jason said, no one needs that level of accuracy.
Although, you could easily develop your own chart for the ferts you use in your aquarium, if you wished, simply by measuring out your ferts using your measuring spoons and weighing them on your scale, one by one.

 

[ir0n_ma1den]

Ya, I was just asking this question in regards to the PPS-Pro method, but I have decided to stick with the EI method as I am comfortable with it.

I will just stick to tsp measurements as it is much easier and quicker, so problem solved.

On a side note/ off topic :
Tom,

I am getting to that stage where my career interests are starting to narrow down to marine biology, environmental engineering, and the likes. I was just wondering what classes I should be taking to achieve that goal. I think what you do is great, as it is something you like and its not your typical desk job.

thanks

 

[rusticitas]

I am getting to that stage where my career interests are starting to narrow down to marine biology, environmental engineering, and the likes. I was just wondering what classes I should be taking to achieve that goal. I think what you do is great, as it is something you like and its not your typical desk job.

There's a list of his academic degrees on APC's " Get to Know... Tom Barr". I did a very brief look, but probably could also extrapolate by going to those school's web sites and looking at the courses required by each degree as a start.