Going Ei Next Week

[davys]

Folks,

After being enthralled by George's series in PFK the last 2 months, after a lot of reading on this forum, and being inspired by some of the formistas pictures of their tanks over the last 2 months (thanks folks!), I've decided to go EI next week.

My order with Aqua Essentials will be in tomorrow, but I'd really like some confirmation from those wiser than myself, that what I'm planning is all hunky-dory - especially the dosage figures at the bottom. I'm really looking forward to setting things up, but at the same time a bit worried that some of my calculations are all wrong, and that major poisoning will occur somewhere along the line.

Anyway here's what I'm planning:

Tank: Juwel Rio 180 (40 UK Gallon)
25w Aqua EI heating cable
5 litre Tropica Substrate
3mm natural gravel (depth 4-6 inch)
CO2 - DD Complete pressurised. I know to aim for 30ppm, but unsure if 3 bubbles per second is too much.
Lighting: 4x30w T8s (2x arcadia daylight 7500k, 2x arcadia tropical lamp)

Dosing:
Pretty much as George recommended in the articles, but not sure if I've calculated the dosing right for 180 litre tank - please advise! All dry, to be mixed in 500ml of water:

KNO3: 40g mixed in 500ml water - 18ml dosed to give 5ppm, 3 times per wek
KH2PO4: 15g mixed in 500ml - 8ml dosed to give 1ppm, 3 times per week
MgSO4: 70g to 500ml - 90ml dosed to give 7ppm, once per week
Trace elements for once a week - tablespoon mixed with 500ml water - 18ml dosed once per week

Plant order will also be going in this week, but will spend the weekend researching what will be planted. I do plan to add a Tetratec EX700 external filter to supplement the existing Juwel filter, but it may be next month before this happens (depending on final cost of initial EI set up).

As I said, really looking forward and excited about setting up, but looking for some confirmation that I'm on the right path! Thanks in anticipation folks.

Best wishes,
David

 

[themissingelf]

Help yourself to a download of my Plant Planner. It's the result of my recent efforts to finalise my plant order (which arrived today, ready for tank setup tomorrow )

 

[George Farmer]

Hi David and welcome to TFF.

Glad you liked the articles. The next one should prove helpful too as it explains setting up and maintaining a high-tech tank.

Your tank set up sounds great and your EI program sound, although personally I'd avoid the heater cable and spend the cash on plants etc. Substrate heating is a waste of money according to most modern schools of thought and I'm certain that Tropica don't recommend it with their substrate.

I assume you've taken into account tapwater levels of NO3 and PO4? Many UK sources are loaded.

My biggest tip for starting out would be to plant VERY HEAVILY with lots of fast growers, look for species in the pinned algae thread. Cram it full of weeds to beat off early algae. Get your CO2 sorted at 30ppm before lighting and planting. Monitor CO2 carefully as this will alter as your plants use it.

 

[voo]

I too am thinking about starting with EI after i found out the liquid fertiliser i use doesnt contain phosphate or potassium. Just have three questions though:

1. Are phosphate and potassium important? As important as nitrogen?

2. In your article George, you said to mix the dry fertilisers with RO water. Is this really necessary? If not, should tap water be dechlorinated still when mixing with the dry ferts?

3. What do you use to weigh out the ferts?

Thanks

 

[George Farmer]

I too am thinking about starting with EI after i found out the liquid fertiliser i use doesnt contain phosphate or potassium. Just have three questions though:

1. Are phosphate and potassium important? As important as nitrogen?

2. In your article George, you said to mix the dry fertilisers with RO water. Is this really necessary? If not, should tap water be dechlorinated still when mixing with the dry ferts?

3. What do you use to weigh out the ferts?

Thanks

I think nitrogen is regarded as the most important nutrient after carbon (CO2) but if any one nutrient goes deficient then your plants will suffer.

If you have a heavily planted tank with good growth then providing ALL nutrients via dosing are recommended to ensure there are no deficiencies. EI is a great way to acheive this and I would recommend it for any heavily planted tank with moderate-high lighting and CO2 injection.

Mixing solutions with RO isn't vital. If you have already high levels of PO4 in your tap then if you are mixing dry trace then the iron (Fe) may oxidise. I like RO because you know that the mixture is exact. RO is cheap in these small qtys. Ask your LFS.

I use Chucks standalone calculator and use measuring spoons. They range from 1ml to 15ml. 5ml is a teaspoon. There are also cheap (£15) electronic scales from Argos etc.