Planted Tank upgrade and questions

[Plantaholic]

If you've got the cash then why not?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Just not something I would spend the money on, should be pretty cool once it gets going!


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Khuligirl93]

For anyone reading this thread:
http://www.buildmyled.com/solunar-controller/
That sounds pretty sweet, but yeah I probably wouldn't drop $110 on it. Man the things I daydream about doing to my tanks if I won the lottery..


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Khuligirl93]

So about the PPS-pro dosing, how do you tweak the dosing? I've been reading on TPT about people adjusting the amount of Phosphate, but how is that possible when predetermined amounts are already mixed?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

You get all the ingredients bagged separate and you take a gram scale and measure out the grams according to the recipe. There's an excel worksheet I downloaded, you just plug in the mL you want to mix up and it'll give your the measurements of each fertilizer salt.

Here's how it would come if you order it from GLA. I ordered the scale on Amazon.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/8165618251_f69ceb318f_b.jpg

 

[Khuligirl93]

I do understand that part. I actually just ordered the ferts and downloaded the calculator and was playing with it a few minutes ago.
My question is about how you change the amount of one specific component after you have already mixed all the ingredients together and have been dosing it. I've read about people having algae or a deficiency, so they tweaked the actual ratio of their ferts- phosphate, for example.
Would you just add a little extra into the bottle?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I suppose you could. But I usually just finish my bottle and make alterations during the next batch. The only think I've changed from the default recipe is the PO4 increase. Everybody seems to have their own method of tweaking it to their needs. I find this to work fine for me.

 

[Khuligirl93]

Oh ok thanks. And what do most people use to measure out the liquid? Some type of syringe?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

For larger tanks, they just use the dosing chamber top of those fertilizer bottles. But since I have a lot of smaller tanks, I bought a 100 pack of graduated pippettes from Amazon. Inexpensive and very handy at dosing. I reuse them and only toss it if they break after many uses.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IQTSE0?ie=UTF8&at=&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

Another option is to put the ferts in pump bottles.

 

[Khuligirl93]

That's a great idea! Thanks for all the help Brian.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brookster123]

I like the pump bottle idea!! NanoJack used some lotion bottles, I'm going to hit Walmart this weekend and see what I can find..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Khuligirl93]

Man the color on the bottom side of these AR leaves is unreal... This piece got uprooted during a WC. Makes me wish the leaves grew upside down!


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Khuligirl93]

Anyone know why my rotala is growing sideways?
My PPS-pro pack should be here any day!


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brookster123]

Mine does that close to the outflow..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Khuligirl93]

That stem on the top is close to the outflow, but it's not getting pushed around. And other pieces that are far from the outflow are doing the same thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brookster123]

That stem on the top is close to the outflow, but it's not getting pushed around. And other pieces that are far from the outflow are doing the same thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Hmm, maybe they're just sad??

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Khuligirl93]

I've heard of stem plants growing sideways when the lighting is really high, I just didn't think mine was that strong.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brookster123]

Yours is pretty strong, consider the stem plants get up higher meaning the intensity/par is far greater. You may have answered your own question

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Sk3lly]

Does your tank receive natural daylight at all?


Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

 

[Khuligirl93]

It doesn't get any direct light shining on it, but there are windows across the room.
Edit: You know- I bet that's what it is! A few days ago I started doing a siesta photoperiod. That's when the bend started getting more extreme. And I bet during the time the tank lights are off during the day the plants reach towards the windows.. That would make sense!

Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Fresh2o]

My lights don't come on until later in the afternoon and the plants will bend toward the windows even when the shades are drawn. Sounds like the same thing with you siesta period.