Oops Forgot About The Lighting Part

[SuperColey1]

Yes that is exactly what we are saying. If the light is right then it is nutrient (C is a nutrient in essence.)

this thread is just discussing what makes the light 'right' as in does it need to be so high if everything else is OK. Do we assume that we need more light when something fails, then double the nutrient to go with the upgrade and then see the results of the nutrient and say 'It was the upgrade'???

My experiment goes the other way. It says I am not going to upgrade the lights at all. I will stick with 0.9WPG (=1.8WPG.IMO) but I will double the nutrient.

AC

 

[Renate]

SuperColey1 I agree with you. For economically it is cheaper to find a light system that is reasonably priced and then add needed ferts. I am going to try dosing with potassium and add a diy co2 system to my tank.

 

[SuperColey1]

Dependent on your light I would add potassium nitrate and potassium phosphate which together will also add the potassium.

In a non CO2 tank, The light may be low which means slower growth and the no water changes mean only natural CO2. This does however remain at a low but stable level.

Therefore the plants could go faster but adapt to the low level of Co2 and keep algae at bay. Some NPK may still be needed though.

Add DIY CO2 and keep it as stable as possible (say 2 bottles changed weekly on seperate days) all of a sudden you give the plants more carbon to grow from and they adapt to the new level of CO2 and grow faster (dependent on the light.) You now definately need NPK and probably some trace. Still small amounts but some.

When we reach good lighting (not necessarily what we comprehend as high going by the WPG rule) high CO2 (pressurised at a decent stable 20ppm +, we need to get dosing properly as the plants will utilise all the light available if possible.

So you are in the area where if you get your DIY stable enough then the plants will adapt, then settle into their rythmn and want more food. If you can't keep it stable then they will be up/down/up/down constantly adapting never growing and the algae will jump in with a vengeance.

AC

 

[Renate]

There are times I go away for a few weeks. Thus I am uncertain if it is wise to add diy Co2. I am concerned as to what will happen if the electricity or the bottle gets empty while I am a way.

At present have a little hair algae on Rotala Indica. It is decreasing but if I left before it is gone it would probably take over.

I guess I just have to experiment a month before I leave.

 

[aaronnorth]

you could add a new bottle before you go away to be certain, it should last you a few month if you have a big enough bottle, and you can use a solenoid to cut it off incase of a powercut/.

 

[Renate]

If I add injected co2 it will be diy co2, thus a solenoid switch would not be applicable.

 

[aaronnorth]

i thought with you saying 'the bottle would run out' that you meant pressurized,