fishenthusiast
Aquarium Advice Addict
I see many threads concerning fertilizers on this forum, and I'd like to create a thread for those who need help fertilizing their tanks. The most economical fertilizers come in dry form. Dry fertilizers allow the aquarist to adjust their fertilizer needs more precisely. One can use commercial fertilizers, but the purpose of this thread is to explain two methods of planted tank fertilization. So lets begin...
PPS-Pro: This fertilizer regimen is meant to target plant uptake without flooding the tank with excessive nutrients. Personally, I favor this method above E.I. The PPS-Pro kit from Green Leaf Aquariums comes with the following: Plantex CSM + B, Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4), Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4), Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4), and two 500mL fertilizer dispensers. One bottle is for micronutrients and the other is for macronutrients. One may use 3 bottles so he or she can separate phosphate from nitrate for the purpose of having more leeway with those specific fert levels. PPS-Pro does not require as large of weekly water changes, but weekly water changes of at least 30% is greatly beneficial towards tank, fish, and plant health. The PPS-Pro formula may need adjustment if there is a nutrient deficiency. Dose 1 mL per 10 gallons, or adjust as needed. I dose 5 mL daily for my 30 gallon.
E.I. Regimen: Estimative Index was developed by Tom Barr in an effort to eliminate any chance of nutrient deficiencies. With this method, one's tank is flooded with nutrients, so larger water changes are necessary (50% weekly) to lower dissolved organics. One doses the fertilizers dry (when I dosed fertilizers from the EI method, I used teaspoons). The EI kit from Green Leaf Aquariums comes with the following: Plantex CSM + B, Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4), and Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4). Another reason for this method is to eliminate water testing, but in my opinion, one should still test their water. For more information on the EI method, check out the following thread from the APC forum: Estimative Index Dosing Guide - Fertilizing - Aquatic Plant Central
Check out this article written by fort384 concerning fertilization: Introduction to Fertilizing the Planted Tank - Aquarium Advice
It goes further into nutrient dosing and discusses EI and PPS-Pro as well.
I didn't feel like writing a book (I just wanted to summarize), so if anyone has anything informative to add, feel free to post away.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
PPS-Pro: This fertilizer regimen is meant to target plant uptake without flooding the tank with excessive nutrients. Personally, I favor this method above E.I. The PPS-Pro kit from Green Leaf Aquariums comes with the following: Plantex CSM + B, Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4), Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4), Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4), and two 500mL fertilizer dispensers. One bottle is for micronutrients and the other is for macronutrients. One may use 3 bottles so he or she can separate phosphate from nitrate for the purpose of having more leeway with those specific fert levels. PPS-Pro does not require as large of weekly water changes, but weekly water changes of at least 30% is greatly beneficial towards tank, fish, and plant health. The PPS-Pro formula may need adjustment if there is a nutrient deficiency. Dose 1 mL per 10 gallons, or adjust as needed. I dose 5 mL daily for my 30 gallon.
E.I. Regimen: Estimative Index was developed by Tom Barr in an effort to eliminate any chance of nutrient deficiencies. With this method, one's tank is flooded with nutrients, so larger water changes are necessary (50% weekly) to lower dissolved organics. One doses the fertilizers dry (when I dosed fertilizers from the EI method, I used teaspoons). The EI kit from Green Leaf Aquariums comes with the following: Plantex CSM + B, Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), Mono Potassium Phosphate (KH2PO4), and Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4). Another reason for this method is to eliminate water testing, but in my opinion, one should still test their water. For more information on the EI method, check out the following thread from the APC forum: Estimative Index Dosing Guide - Fertilizing - Aquatic Plant Central
Check out this article written by fort384 concerning fertilization: Introduction to Fertilizing the Planted Tank - Aquarium Advice
It goes further into nutrient dosing and discusses EI and PPS-Pro as well.
I didn't feel like writing a book (I just wanted to summarize), so if anyone has anything informative to add, feel free to post away.
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice