Microswords - does excel melt them?

[Mebbid]

Ok thanks, I will. I was doing some searches on the two different methods to get the pros and cons of each. All the threads I found were all a bit technical and over my head!!

From your comment seems like you think either would work for my set up? I only ask because I saw somewhere that EI was for higher light tanks and I believe mine is barely medium light (because of the tank height at 24")?

They operate on 2 separate principles of fertilizing.

EI - Floods the tank with nutrients making it so the plants never run out of any single nutrient that they need. This uses up a lot of ferts and necessitates a 50% weekly water change.

PPS Pro - Give the plants just what they can use during a photo period. Uses less fertilizers but can require a bit of tweaking to get right.

I've used both and they are both really good systems. I currently use PPS Pro for no real particular reason other than it's what I have written down for the mixing formula...

 

[sallyjano]

They operate on 2 separate principles of fertilizing.

EI - Floods the tank with nutrients making it so the plants never run out of any single nutrient that they need. This uses up a lot of ferts and necessitates a 50% weekly water change.

PPS Pro - Give the plants just what they can use during a photo period. Uses less fertilizers but can require a bit of tweaking to get right.

I've used both and they are both really good systems. I currently use PPS Pro for no real particular reason other than it's what I have written down for the mixing formula...

Ok thanks. If EI does not need tweaking maybe that might be better for me as sounds easier. I will do some reading up on it.

 

[Mebbid]

Ok thanks. If EI does not need tweaking maybe that might be better for me as sounds easier. I will do some reading up on it.

PPS pro should only really need tweaking if you have a ton of plants.

 

[sallyjano]

PPS pro should only really need tweaking if you have a ton of plants.

Oh ok thanks. More reading.....am seeing people saying EI is intended for higher growth while PPS Pro is slower growth. I know you've done both. Any truth?

 

[Mebbid]

Oh ok thanks. More reading.....am seeing people saying EI is intended for higher growth while PPS Pro is slower growth. I know you've done both. Any truth?

PPS might be a little slower but it wasn't a hugely noticable difference

 

[sallyjano]

PPS might be a little slower but it wasn't a hugely noticable difference

Ok thanks. Step one - ordered a digital scale. Now I just need to find time to learn about PPS Pro!!

 

[schoeplein]

Swords are monster root feeders. Root tabs and half decent lighting and they'll blow up.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[sallyjano]

Swords are monster root feeders. Root tabs and half decent lighting and they'll blow up.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Well that was what I hoped but sadly no!! I used root tabs and have 2.3wpg t5ho bulbs but alas they are not growing at all. Not even a little!!

 

[schoeplein]

What substrate do you have? Soil? Sand? Gravel?

Also, wpg isn't really that effective a rating. PAR more than anything, and light wavelength are far more important.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[sallyjano]

What substrate do you have? Soil? Sand? Gravel?

Also, wpg isn't really that effective a rating. PAR more than anything, and light wavelength are far more important.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Just gravel. Yes I don't know why I quoted the wpg as I know it's not a good measurement. I think par at the gravel is around 35-40.

 

[schoeplein]

Gravel isn't an amazing substrate for root feeders, unfortunately.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[sallyjano]

Gravel isn't an amazing substrate for root feeders, unfortunately.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

Yes, I wish I had done more research before setting up my tank. Would have done it differently for sure! But, gravel is what I have. I've seen plenty of others with root feeders say gravel is fine as long as you put in root tabs which I have so not sure what the problem is, but I think it might be lack of ferts. I am hoping they will get going once my PPS Pro dosing starts. Dry ferts shipped today!!