The El Method

[sjdriscoll]

I've looked at James's excellent thread on the El method and my question is - Can I halve the dosing regime and therefore get away with a 25% water change per week (I'm a lazy sod)?

Would the lower dose be doing the plants any any good or does it still work the same?

 

[Neo8223]

I thought it runs under the assumption that it always makes sure there is enough nutrients in the tank to prevent algae growth and help maintain a balanced tank. Any less would cause a defficiency in nutrients and allow algae growth. I was the same as you 2bh with the water changes lol. But after running EI for 2 weeks (must be about half a year now)you can REALLY tell the difference. Also my fish are REALLY healthy because of the constant water changes and i have 3 clown loaches in my overstocked tank and even they are happy!

Paul.

 

[sjdriscoll]

Thanks for the reply, I still think I'm too lazy!

from what I understand the El method really overloads on ferts - that's why you need to do a 50% water change to stop them building up. I just thought I might be able to run at half dose and half the water change for the same effect. But I get your point, there may not be enough in the water column.

Cheers again

 

[Themuleous]

I know what you mean, a 50% water on anything over 50G is tricky. There are two other methods that you might like to try, PPS-pro or TMDD, try googling them, they require much less dosing and therefore less of a water change.

Sam

 

[sjdriscoll]

Cheers Sam.

SuperColey1 has sent me a link to PMDD (poor mans dosing) whereby you dose much less and so can reduce the water change. He seems to rate it better than El and he and James both use this method.

Thanks for your help

 

[Themuleous]

Cool, let us know how you get on with it, I've not tried it yet myself but it looks to be an excellent system, perfect for bigger tanks, do to the smaller water changes.

Sam