Plants, Ei And Pearling.

[Fwapp]

Hi,

As I posted earlier this week, I went EI and found that the plants were pearling like crazy (for me, anyway).
Since Tuesday, however, they have not been pearling as near as much. I intially dosed 1ppm PO4, 10ppm k2so4 day1, and then 3ml trace and excel, day 3 tested for po4 and found 2ppm, so did not dose po4, but dosed 5ppm of k2so4, then 3ml trace and excel on day 4,and so on. NO3 is at 10-20ppm

Any suggestions?

 

[RadaR]

Have you checked the CO2?

 

[JamesC]

If you're going EI then you really do have to follow it and not do bits here and there. You don't need to test as your weekly water change will reset all your levels to prevent any build up. Please remember that PO4 and NO3 test kits are notoriously inaccurate and really only give you a rough idea. Are you dosing any nitrates? As long as you keep up with your dosing and water changes then the only thing that is left is CO2.

My dosing is:
Day 0 - 8ppm NO3, 2ppm PO4, 5ppm K, 2.5ppm Mg
Day 1 - 15ml traces
Day 2 - as day 0
Day 3 - as day 1
Day 4 - as day 0
Day 5 - as day 1
Day 6 - rest day
Day 7 - 50% water change then as day 0

I add Mg as my tap water is nearly all Ca

I then know if anything is lacking it must be CO2 as that is the only thing left.

I have to admit when I first started EI I used to test and adjust my dosing, but still had problems. It was only when I decided to follow it properly that I had success. I now very rarely if ever test for NO3 and PO4 as there is no need.

James

 

[Fwapp]

Thanks for the replies.

Having read my original post, it does appear not to describe what I'm doing too well!

Day 1: 1ppm PO4, 10ppm K2SO4, No NO3, as even my RO water is 10-20ppm from my water source.
Day 2: 5ml Trace, Excel
Day 3: no PO4 as at 1ppm, 5ppm K2SO4.
Day 4: as 2
Day 5: etc.

Going from the posts, I'll start again today, but try dosing full amounts each day eg day 3 as day 1, day 4 as day 2 etc, and see how it goes. CO2 is being upgraded soon as a receive my needle valve. Currently on yeast based at 20ppm (Nutrafin and DIY).

 

[JamesC]

If your RO water has 10-20ppm NO3 then it just shows how bad your NO3 test kit is. RO water should have 0ppm NO3. Please, please do not believe what your test kits read as they are virtually always wrong. You will need to add NO3 if you wish to succeed with EI.
What is your WPG?

 

[Ginge]

I am also haveing a little trouble wiht NO3 and have put it down to the test kit. What are the signs of NO3 deffeciancy in plants??? My test kit is showing 50ppm+ NO3 even after a 5 day rest of not doing EI.

 

[BigIan]

I am also haveing a little trouble wiht NO3 and have put it down to the test kit. What are the signs of NO3 deffeciancy in plants??? My test kit is showing 50ppm+ NO3 even after a 5 day rest of not doing EI.

I got this...

Lack of Nitrogen

Leaves become yellow and older leaves die off. Sometimes leaves have a slightly reddish appearance and growth is slow

From HERE

 

[Fwapp]

If your RO water has 10-20ppm NO3 then it just shows how bad your NO3 test kit is. RO water should have 0ppm NO3. Please, please do not believe what your test kits read as they are virtually always wrong. You will need to add NO3 if you wish to succeed with EI.
What is your WPG?

Sorry for not getting back, works hectic (14001 audit prep for two sites, 200 miles apart!)

My WPG is just under 2 WPG. This will be going up as soon as arcadia pull their finger out and start supplying T5 lamp leads, as at the moment every where is unable to get any.

However since moving to full dosing every other day, but a lesser amount, I've had enough pearling to keep me happy. I do completely agree that I need to dose NO3 (never thought I'd think that!), so Aquaessentials will soon be hearing from me!

Thanks for all the feedback, chaps and chappesses!

Schedule is

1: 1ppm PO4, 10 ppm K2SO4
2: 4ml trace
3: as1
4: as2
5: as1
6: beer (for me!)
7: 50% water change, maintenance and day 1