EI journal

[houndour]

got it..so by the end of week 1 I'm hitting (there or there abouts) the target level...now I think this has been asked before, but just to clarify, by the end of the week I am now at target...I have raised the levels slowly so as not to upset the fish. On Sunday I am ready to reset...the fish are now used to these increased levels...do I now add enough of the solutions to bring me straight upto the target, and then dose lightly every day to top-up the nutrients used by the plants each day?

[snapback]857686[/snapback]​

good question nd.

my KNO3 etc still hasn't arrived it was dispatched the same day as yours too

 

[nodding_dino]

I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure it will arrive soon!...let me make a few 'beginners' mistakes with the solutions first, then you'll be able to sail through! (and at least then I'll know where to come when I run out of KNO3 )

 

[smithrc]

ordered mine this morning - I'm still lagging behind you guys

It's all good motivation though

 

[nodding_dino]

great news smithrc!

 

[iggy01]

got it..so by the end of week 1 I'm hitting (there or there abouts) the target level...now I think this has been asked before, but just to clarify, by the end of the week I am now at target...I have raised the levels slowly so as not to upset the fish. On Sunday I am ready to reset...the fish are now used to these increased levels...do I now add enough of the solutions to bring me straight upto the target, and then dose lightly every day to top-up the nutrients used by the plants each day?

[snapback]857686[/snapback]​

Yes, you're on the right track. This is where the estimative part comes in. It is suggested to dose more than you need at first. You can then back off if required at a later date.

Take nitrate for instance. If for example you had 10 mg/l on Sunday morning and did a 50% water change. Going off yesterdays figures you would be left with around 7.5 mg/l. I am guessing your tap water contains 5 mg/l, seeing as your nitrate readings were the same pre and post water change. You would need to add at least another 2.5 mg/l just to attain the 10 mg/l you had pre water change.

You would need to take into account how much nitrate your tank consumes on a daily basis though. Obviously there is no point adding 3mg/l KNO3 every other day if your tank uses 2 mg/l daily.

Hope that makes sense!

 

[nodding_dino]

thanks iggy...

so in a nutshell...

1. work out solutions based on aquarium being dosed.
2. Slowly build up doses to target levels over 1st week so as not to stress fish.
3. After 1st water change dose back up to full target levels
4. Add enough solution each/every other day to maintain target levels.
5. Test frequently to gauge plant useage for aquarium
6. Adjust dosing levels appropriately

please say I've got it!!!!

 

[iggy01]

You appear to have it sorted nodding dino!

99% of people test frequently when first starting out on E.I. The other 1% are liars. Once you have your dosing regime sorted you won't feel the need to test as much.

Looks like Zig is back.

Over to you Zig!

 

[houndour]

looks like you're on your way ND.

I didn't get my chemicals today absolutely gutted. Plants are still pearling thats 8 days in a row now

 

[zig]

Hiya guys

WOW this is turning into a big thread, and everything seems to be going good with you guys on the EI front, nobody has killed any plants yet, excellent

Anyway before i went off for a few days i set the planted tank on a timer so the lights would come on, but i forgot to switch on the ballast i spent a while setting up the timer, i was going to reduce the photo period etc, but i seem to have reduced the photo period to 0, the lights didnt come on at all for 4 days.

Funny thing is though the hairgrass in the tank hasnt looked better its grown about an inch in height, the tank is beside a window with a blind on it, even though this was pulled down light still comes through it (its not a blackout blind) and the hairgrass was obviously reaching for the daylight.

The other plants aint looking so good, all of the stem plants are drooping quite badly, so hopefully they recover, ive only had the lights on about an hour, so to early to tell, id say they will be ok, but drooping quite sadly due to lack of light, and the fish havent stopped schooling since i turned the lights on.

Anyway a good way to enduce growth in your hairgrass, but i wouldnt really recommend it

I suppose the lesson is dont forget the lightswitch before you go away for a few days, sometimes you just feel so dumb

 

[nodding_dino]

You appear to have it sorted nodding dino!

[snapback]858255[/snapback]​

YAY!!!!!

don't worry houndour....I'm sure they'll turn up tomorrow...!

 

[houndour]

aw poor zig and poor plants, but go hairgrass Actually...funny you should mention the hairgrass, I have some in a bowl on my window sill that I could never be bothered to sort out and it's still alive...it's been there for at least 3 weeks now

 

[nodding_dino]

welcome back Zig...! I too had problems with my new timers today...the result of which meant no lights until I got back from the office at 1900...one plant had already started to hang it's head in shame, so I can imagine what 4 days worth looks like! Fingers crossed everything perks back up!

I think I've just about got my head around everything now...I will start in earnest tomorrow (it's a bit late to be doing tests now...baby dino is in bed). I will go through all the figures one more time tonight to make sure I'm happy with everything...what do they say, measure twice cut once

A big thanks to you for all your help so far, and also to Iggy who put in a sterling effort while you were away!

 

[zig]

You appear to have it sorted nodding dino!

99% of people test frequently when first starting out on E.I. The other 1% are liars. Once you have your dosing regime sorted you won't feel the need to test as much.

Looks like Zig is back.

Over to you Zig!

[snapback]858255[/snapback]​

Only reason im back is because of more stupidity, i have a little holiday house on the coast and thats where i was the last few days, anyway on the site i have a small 20ft freight container to store a boat and ride on mower, its just tucked away in the corner of the site, i bought it a few years ago to replace a leaky shed, anyway the battery on the mower needed to be charged, so i set up the charger today and locked the padlock on the container, but i left the key inside

Ssso long storey short i had to drive back today to get the other key and ill go back tomorrow to switch the battery charger off, but having said that it probably wasnt a bad thing i came back to find my droopy plants.

And before anyone says why didnt you just break the lock, well if anyone is familar with freight containers they have a special covering over where you put the padlock, to stop burgulars and theft, it works very well as i found out its impossible to get at the lock without the key.

ow well, ill just go back tomorrow...

 

[George Farmer]

Nice trip zig? edit - I posted this as you were posting the last message!

I wouldn't worry about the lack of light, your plants will recover - possibly even stronger. A big dark period can do wonders sometimes, a kind of rest I suppose. My Anubias only ever flowered after a 24 hour dark period.

 

[zig]

welcome back Zig...! I too had problems with my new timers today...the result of which meant no lights until I got back from the office at 1900...one plant had already started to hang it's head in shame, so I can imagine what 4 days worth looks like! Fingers crossed everything perks back up!

I think I've just about got my head around everything now...I will start in earnest tomorrow (it's a bit late to be doing tests now...baby dino is in bed). I will go through all the figures one more time tonight to make sure I'm happy with everything...what do they say, measure twice cut once

A big thanks to you for all your help so far, and also to Iggy who put in a sterling effort while you were away!

[snapback]858320[/snapback]​

One thing i have found on this forum is people dont let you down, you will always get a reply, cheers iggy and gf.

Good news nodding dino, your plants will be greatful, and hondour im sure postie will have a parcel for you tomorrow, the pics you posted of the algae dont look so good, nasty, but hopefully you will be algae free from now on, just keep the co2 levels up, and im sure once the plants recieve the extra KNO3 and PO4 everything will work out, i have to say ever since i started EI i havent had any algae, but before starting it i did, but i havent looked back since, and im sure you guys will be the same.

Anyway it will be good that we are all useing the same standard or yardstick to apply our ferts, as when you do have problems it just makes it so much easier for other users to identify them just through your tank stats, you guys will be able to do the same in a few weeks when you get into the swing of the doseing schedule, you will be able to look at other users tank stats and be able to tell pretty much where the problems lie, so its all good.