Question Fo Ei

[plantbrain]

There are simple conversions for tsp to mls BTW.
Not hard, however, I chose something most of the folks I was helping to achieve the dosing easier with something was familiar.

I prefer grams to suggest a useful measurement.
However, few folks have decent scales in the 0.001 range.

You can still get a higher degree of accuracy by scaling up.
So a scale that measures 0.01 grams can be used quite well if you make a 1000ml(1 liter) batches.

If you have a 0.001 scale, then you have the same accuracy bat 100ml range.

So if you made a 10 liter batch, with a 0.01 gram scale, it would be like using a 0.0001 scale for 100mls.

You can use this relationship to your advantage but you have lots of solution in the process

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Underwurlde]

its really an American concept to dose it like this

Really a British 'thing' actually. We have the French to thank for Metric (which I welcome with open arms).

Why the accuracy when using the Estimative Index. There is no point. Also the weights will actually differ dempending on atmospheric conditions anyway (humidity).

Just measure out the dry amounts using small measuring spoons - who cares what the actual measurement units are. These spoons cost next to nothing and are easier to use than measuring scales.

Andy

 

[aaronc]

Hey All

Where can I get hold of these mini spoons lol. Also, can someone reccomend me a good off the shelf trace mix. Preferably from AquaEssentials, going to be orderig my Co2 checker later today

Thanks
Aaron

 

[JamesC]

Loads of spoons on ebay - http/search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll...easuring+spoons. Some of the descriptions state the amounts in volume, so just look for one that is in teaspoons.

The Aqua Essentials trace mix is OK but if you want the best then go for Tropica Plant Nutrition also available at AE.

James

 

[aaronc]

Hi James

Thanks for the feedback

I am a bit bored and live in Manchester city centre, so I will make it my mission today to track down some mini spoons lol.

Aaron

 

[Underwurlde]

Item #110099796340. Total cost to UK about £4.40

Not bad I suppose. Goes without saying that I can't find anything like this in the UK.

 

[SuperColey1]

You weigh out a small part of the powders and make small solutions like every week/I was thinking you did it all at once lol.I am keeping my powders in 1 litre sqaush bottles atm .I tried dry dosing with a spoon but seriously, how can i work out like 1/32 of it or whatever lol. I'll just make the solutions.

I think I'm confusing people with my phrasing.

I DO make a 1 Litre amount of each solution all at once and then just transfer my dailys into 3 little bottles for ease of use.

I don't make up the solutions weekly. I just measure what you would measure into the tank into a little bottle instead (x3) and then on the morning it is a solution day I pour the pre measured bottle in and then go to work.

This is because I am a bed lover and tend to get out of bed about ½hour before I leave for work which means I don't have much time in the mornings. (Obviously will have to change by the time the kids get to school age but for now its late nights and late wakings for me.)

Andy

 

[aaronc]

Got my scales today, just waiting for the ferts and then I am away.

Going to half dose until I get my lighting upgrade.

Aaron

 

[DevUK]

I have a mate who is the chemistry technician at a local secondary school (where I used to work). He said I could send him a shopping list for the various EI powders and potions and he'd see what he could do Fingers crossed

I'll then go pick up some teaspoon measuring devices and some trace mix and away I go

 

[cheesy feet]

Hi, thanks everyone for your replys I think it will be easiest for me just to buy some of those spoons

 

[aaronc]

I saw a set of them in Debenhams today for £8

I went with scales in the end, and got a cheap set of scales with 1g increments from argos, 12.99

Aaron

 

[DevUK]

I bought some colourful betaware spoons for £2.09 inc postage. 1/8 tsp - 1 dsp (about 6 spoons). Should do nicely

 

[Christine1014]

This might help if you're spoon-shopping ... the tiny spoons I've found (at Bed Bath & Beyond here in the States) are measured in the cooking terms "smidgen," "dash" and "pinch."

A smidgen is 1/32 of a teaspoon
A pinch is 1/16
A dash is 1/8

But again, like someone else has said, it's not really THAT important that the measurements be really precise.

 

[aaronc]

Hey All

I got my powders today so mixed them all up.

It all went ok except for the Potassium Sulphate, which won't dissolve fully. Should it be greasy? I can see it all stuck to the inside of the top of the bottle

Will get my lighting tommorrow and start dosing, yay

Thanks

Aaron

 

[nry]

I added the powder to a bottle then added a bit of water. I added small amounts of water until it was dissolved then topped it up to the right amount of water. Some powders required less water to dissolve than others.