More light so more co2/fert/etc as well?

[Tiggs]

put this question in my tank pics under members tanks...just wanted to ask it seperatly though as it seems it could be complex!

at the moment i have 2 X 39w T5 and 2 X 15w T8

Co2 is 25ppm, Ph is 7.2 amonia, nitrite and mitrate are 0

just done phosphates...0 as well


Plants look good but i am adding 2 X 55w T5 tonight.

Should i up the liquid fert i add (i use the bottles guide right now).....as my phosphate is 0 are my fish under fed!

should i dose to get nitrate/phospahte up?

in case it matters - all lights have reflectors, tank is 350 litres, under gravel heating on 1 hr in 5 right now as the temp gets to high.

any help/pointers?

T

 

[George Farmer]

I would up your CO2 to 30ppm to start with. The extra light will increase the plants uptake of CO2 straight away so the extra 5ppm will help keep the balance.

Ferts is more complex. I'm surprised you are not witnessing any nutrient deficencies as yet - I suppose you may be "perfectly" balanced i.e. your nitrates and phosphates are being produce at a rate just high enough to keep your plants fed but not enough to detect via a kit. Or your kits could be inaccurate. NO3 and PO4 kits are notoriously inaccurate.

I would dose your normal ferts as normal, up your CO2 as suggested and then I'm afraid it may have to be a waiting game. As soon as you spot any nutrient defs. then add the appropiate fert. Here's a good link - http/www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm

It sounds like you may benefit from using Tom Barr's Estimative Index for fert dosing. Look it up on google for more info. I can PM you if you wish to find out more. iggy01 and zig know their stuff on EI too.

For a possible quick solution regarding dosing nitrates and phosphate use Nutrafin PlantGro. I'm sure it contains N P K.

Good luck.