No Npk`s Needed In A Immature Tank?

[craynerd]

Just browsing the net, and came across this about ADA Green Brightly Step 1

"A balanced existence of trace elements is vital in the initial period to stimulate the sprouting of new roots and buds. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are not included, as these may only induce algae development at this stage when the plants’ nutrient requirements are low.
- Formula of trace elements. No Nitrogen, Phosphorus or Potassium contained."


So by that same concept and relating it to EI dosing, should we not initially only be dosing trace and not any macros to stop initial algae growth?

Chris

 

[zig]

Sounds like a question for Tom Barr, personally i would say its bunkum and would fertilise with NPK from the beginning, although you have to consider that if its to be used with aquasoil then you could get away with minimal dosing of NPK for the first couple of months because its contained in the aquasoil, but with any other substrate i would dose NPK from the start.

 

[George Farmer]

I'd say it depends on your bio-mass i.e. how heavily planted with fast growers you are. Another very important aspect is bio-filtration. Algae blooms in new setups I'd say are mostly due to immature filters and the consequent ammonium spikes.

If you plant heavily enough, have a high bio-mass and a mature filter then adding NPK will be essential. ADA substrates i.e. AS+PS contain enough macros initially to go without dosing extra. You probably get this already from your AS thread.

In short start EI from the outset if you intend planting heavily with high light and CO2.

Obviously you could run your new filter in your older setup to establish it.

I hope that makes sense - I've just come out of the bar!

 

[craynerd]

lol, yes makes perfect sense!

With regards to the filter material, i have actually been running the eheim filter material for my classic 2211 in my jewel filter for the past month since i got it. If you remember i was going to use it for a nano. So its certainly matured and ready to use. BTW, is this what they mean by cloning a tank?

Chris