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Davenport trace mix is a carefully blended mix of micronutrients – essential for healthy plants. It can be used in planted aquariums, hydroponics and horticulture

Analysis:-

• Fe 8.4%
• Mn 1.82%
• Zn 1.16%
• B 1.05%
• Cu 0.23%
• Mo 0.15%

In an aquarium trace elements are required in small amounts and are best added from a stock solution.

Aquarium Stock Solution

Adding 6g of trace mix to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-

• Fe 0.05%
• Mn 0.11%
• Zn 0.007%
• B 0.006%
• Cu 0.006%
• Mo 0.0009%

A typical dose might be 1g per litre added once or twice per week.

If using the EI dosing system together with weekly water changes of 50% then considerably higher doses would be acceptable.

Shop for Davenport Trace elements here

Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) contains 9.86% magnesium (Mg) It can be used in planted aquariums, hydroponics and horticulture to provide magnesium which is a macro nutrient and essential for plants.

It can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer

If using the EI dosing system typical Maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-

Magnesium (Mg) 10ppm

Aquarium Dry Dosing

Adding magnesium sulphate at the rate of 0.05g per litre to a tank will increase the magnesium (Mg) level by 5ppm.

Added twice weekly, levels will increase by:-

Magnesium (Mg) 10ppm

Aquarium Stock Solution

Adding 56g of magnesium sulphate to 500ml of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-

1.0% Mg

1.31% S

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 3ppm.

Shop online for Magnesium Sulphate here

Potassium sulphate (K2SO4) contains  44.9% potassium (K)

Potassium is a macronutrient – essential for healthy plant growth

Container sizes:  100g, 250g or 500g

Potassium sulphate can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can be mixed with other ingredients to make a bespoke fertiliser.

If using the EI dosing system typical maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-

Potassium (K) 30ppm

Note! 13 ppm may have been provided from potassium nitrate and 1.3 ppm from potassium phosphate so only an additional 15 ppm is required.

Dry dosing

Adding potassium sulphate at the rate of 0.011grms per litre to a tank will increase the potassium (K) level by 5ppm.

Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-

Potassium (K) 15 ppm

Stock solution

Adding 11g of potassium sulphate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-

0.59% K2O (0.49% K)

0.20% S

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 15ppm K

Shop online for Potassium Sulphate here

Potassium Carbonate (KCO3) contains 56.58% potassium (K) It is used as a source of Potassium in planted aquariums. Potassium is a macro nutrient – essential for healthy plant growth

It can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer. It is also an important chemical used in EI dosing systems.

If using the EI dosing system, typical maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-

Potassium (K) 30ppm

Aquarium Dry Dosing

Adding at the rate of 0.011 grams per ltr to a tank will increase the potassium (K) level by 6 ppm.

Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-

Potassium (K) 18ppm.

Stock Solution

Adding 80g of potassium carbonate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-

5.0% K2O (4.2% K)

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 13 ppm K.

Shop for Potassium Carbonate online

Mono Potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) contains 22.8% phosphorous (P) and 28.7% potassium (K) It is used in planted aquariums and for hydroponic fertilisers Both phosphorous and potassium are macro nutrients.
It can be added directly to a planted aquarium but as phosphates are normally required in very small quantities it is easier to mix it with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can also be blended with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer.
If using the EI dosing system typical maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-
Phosphorous (P) 1ppm. Potassium (K) 30ppm

Aquarium Dry Dosing

Adding mono potassium phosphate at the rate of 0.0015grms per ltr to a tank will increase the phosphorous (P) level by 0.34ppm and the potassium (K) level by 0.43ppm.
Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-
Phosphorous (P) 1 ppm
Potassium (K) 1.3 ppm

Aquarium Stock Solution

Adding 15g of mono potassium phosphate to 1 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-
0.77% P2O5 (0.34%P, 1.03% PO4)
0.51% K2O (0.42% K)
Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 1ppm P and 1.3 ppm K.
You can shop online for mono potassium phosphate here

Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) contains 13.9% nitrogen (N) and 38.7% potassium (K) It is used as a source of Potassium and Nitrogen in planted aquariums, hydroponics and horticulture. Both nitrogen and potassium are macro nutrients – essential for healthy plant growth.

It can be added directly to a planted aquarium, or it can be mixed with water (preferably RO or DI) to make a stock solution. It can be mixed with other nutrients to make a bespoke fertilizer

If using the EI dosing system, typical maximum weekly uptake figures might be:-

Nitrogen (N) 4.5ppm. Potassium (K) 30ppm

Aquarium Dry Dosing

Adding potassium nitrate at the rate of 0.011 grams per ltr to a tank will increase the nitrogen (N) level by

1.5 ppm and the potassium (K) level by 4.3ppm.

Added 3 times per week levels will increase by:-

Nitrogen (N) 4.5ppm.

Potassium (K) 13ppm.

Aquarium Stock Solution

Adding 61g to 0.5 ltr of water will give a stock solution with the following analysis:-

1.5% N (6.7% NO3)

5.0% K2O (4.2% K)

Added to the tank at the rate of 1ml / 10 ltr 3 x week will add 4.5ppm N and 13 ppm K.

Shop here for Potassium Nitrate online

Nitrogen Deficiency

Use Calcium Nitrate or Potassium Nitrate added to the nutrient solution at 20 to 50 ppm Nitrogen

Phosphorus Deficiency

Monopotassium Phosphate is the best Phosphorus source. Add 10 to 20 ppm

Potassium Deficiency

Use Potassium Nitrate or Potassium Sulphate. Add 50 ppm to the nutrient solution and observe

Calcium Deficiency

Use Clacium Nitrate. Add 50 ppm Calcium and observe

Magnesium Deficiency

Use Magnesium Sulphate – Add 20 ppm of Magnesium

Sulphur Deficiency

This is uncommon, but add Potassium Sulphate or Magnesium Sulphate

Trace Elements

The trace elements such as Iron, zinc, copper and manganese etc can usually be rectified by upping the amount of trace mix in your nutrient solution. Alternatively a good foliar feed with a few drops of wetting agent can be used in conjunction with your normal dosing.
Use foliar feeds just after lights out (or in the late afternoon if growing in natural sunlight)
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The required chemicals can be bought from our eShop
For more information on spotting the signs of Nutrient deficiency – search here

The simplest hydroponic grow system uses a form of hydroponics called hydroculture.

It has also been called Passive Hydroponics and Pot Culture.

The great thing about hydroculture is that it does not require expensive equipment and you do not need a science degree to be able to use and understand it.

Some types of hydroponic grow system are quite complex and require pumps and that sort of thing to convey water to the plants. In hydroculture nothing more complicated than capillary action is used to get the water or water and nutrient to the plants. The plant is potted in an inert media. This could be any one of a number of materials which include Rockwool, Perlite, Vermiculite or Leca. Leca stands for “Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate” These are made from clay which has been fired at very high temperatures leaving very porous and lightweight pebbles which are capable of absorbing a considerable amount of water.

The pot with its inert media is placed inside a second pot which contains water. Capillary action draws water up through the inert media to the plants roots. The principle of it couldn’t be much simpler!

PurLec is a company who have refined their hydroponic grow system and which is based on hydroculture to take out all the guesswork and uncertainty from growing in the home.

The PurLec system has 5  key components:-

1) The Culture Pot

This is a specially designed plant pot which not only holds the plant and the inert media, but is designed to hold a water level indicator. It also has slots in the side of the pot so that as the water is used air is allowed in which ensures that oxygen reaches the plant roots.

2) The Water Level Indicator

This is a device which looks a bit like a thermometer but enables the water level to be seen at a glance.

3) The Outer Pot

This is both decorative and contains the water supply for the plant

4) PurLec Nutrient

This is a slow release fertiliser which has been designed for growing without soil. It contains all the essential nutrients including trace elements which are released throughout the growing season at a controlled rate

5) Inert Media

The PurLec system uses a Leca product called Hydroton. This has a high capacity for water absorption and the shape of the pebbles ensures good air circulation to enable the roots to receive their essential oxygen supply.

The PurLec Hydroponic Grow System takes all the guesswork out of both feeding and watering.

For more information on Purlec the Purlec Hydroponic Grow System and PurLec hydroculture visit:-

www.purlec.co.uk

1. Check nutrient conductivity (EC) – Is it too low? If so, adjust it accordingly
2. Check the pH – Is it between 5.8 and 6.2? If not adjust it using a pH UP or pH DOWN solution.
3. Is the nutrient solution aerated? – Are you using an airstone or waterfall technique? If not, address any problems
4. What is the solution and/or substrate temperature – Is it correct for proper root function?
5. Are roots pathogen and disease free? – They should be white and alive
6. Is the nutrient solution correct for the type of crop and the hydroponic grow system in use? – Total loss nutrients are different from recirculating hydroponic grow system solutions, even for the same crop.
7. How long has the nutrient solution been in use? – Nutrients in the solution get used up at different rates, this in turn can stop other nutrients becoming available to the plant – Sound like you? – Dump the tank
8. Is the EC due to salt build up at the expense of nutrients?
9. Is the humidity at an acceptable level?
10. The problems may be nutritional – Check for deficiency symptoms

Why do plants need light?

Plants absorb certain essential elements through their roots and leaves which they convert into carbohydrates. This is their ‘food’ source which they need in order to survive and grow.

To convert the nutrients into carbohydrates requires energy and plants use light energy to do this.

Plants contain a substance called chlorophyll which absorbs light and provides the energy. Chlorophyll is green in colour and this is what makes most plants green.

The process of turning light into energy is called photosynthesis.

In the natural world light comes from the sun but when growing plants in artificial conditions and if maximum yields from crops are required as in hydroponic systems then hydroponic lights are required.

Hydroponic lights are different from ordinary lights because they provide light at different ends of the spectrum depending on the stage of a plants growth.

In the earlier stages of growth – sometimes called the vegative stage plants require light from the blue end of the spectrum but in later stages – the bloom stage they require light from the red end of the spectrum. Hydroponic lights are available to suit these different requirements