Posts Tagged ‘Aquarium fertilisers’

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

Fertilising a planted aquarium while eliminating algae

The Estimative Index (EI) was developed by Tom Barr and others. It is a method of ensuring that aquarium plants receive sufficient levels of nutrition without recourse to expensive testing kits and the like and with no danger of overdosing and harming the fish population.

Plants require certain nutrients and other elements in order to survive (See “Aquarium Plant Nutrition”)
Some of these nutrients might be provided by the fish population but some, if not all, will have to be added to the tank There are many proprietary fertilisers available which are specifically designed for use in an aquarium including products made by companies like Easy Life and SeaChem.
The big question however is “How much do my plants require?” The manufacturers do give recommended doses of course but the amount of nutrient required will depend on a number of factors including:-
Plant density, light intensity, growing conditions, and the availability of CO2 etc. Manufacturers will also ere on the side of caution and so plants may be lacking in certain nutrients. On the other hand excess fish food could be allowing phosphate levels to build up or nitrate levels could be rising from fish excrement.

Given these problems many aquarists resort to buying test kits which can be expensive and unless you spend a great deal of money are often unreliable.

The EI system is designed to ensure that plants receive an adequate supply of all the nutrients they require in order to thrive – without allowing an excessive build up of chemicals which could become harmful to both plants and fish.

It is based on two principles:-

1. Dosing quite large amounts of nutrient at regular intervals.
2. Regular and relatively large water changes.

The “Estimative” part of the EI system refers to the amount of nutrient required. The estimate is based on the maximum amount of nutrient that plants might need assuming that they are growing under ideal conditions – with maximum light and CO2 levels etc. In practise these ideal conditions will not occur and so the plants will have more than a sufficient quantity of nutrients.
This may sound alarming and you might assume that there will be a gradual build up to excessively high levels. In fact, as long as frequent and large water changes are carried out, the concentration of nutrients will level off. (See article on water changes)
Another cause for concern might be the potential cost of adding large amounts of nutrient only to discard some of the nutrients with the water change, but if the nutrients are added in the form of ‘dry salts’ which are very cheap when compared with the cost of some commercial fertilisers, then the EI dosing system is not at all expensive.
In fact the amount of dry salts required are quite tiny and it is often better to mix the salts with water to produce ‘stock solutions’

If you don’t want the bother of mixing up stock solutions that’s fine, Easy Life, for example, do produce all of the necessary nutrients – Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Iron, Trace Elements and Carbon in their range of liquid concentrates

A major benefit of the EI system is that:-
When plants receive enough light, CO2 and nutrients,
not only will the plants thrive algae will not occur.

Water Changes

Regular water changes are important for the well being of any aquarium. Water changes remove dead and decaying matter from the tank and generally keep the level of what might be described as toxins to a minimum. Without any water changes the levels of these toxins would increase at a steady rate (until fish and plants start to die.) A 50% water change will reduce toxin levels by 50% and if these changes are done regularly (weekly) the amount that has built up over the previous week will be removed.
This will also apply to excess nutrients and although the EI system is based on dosing high levels of nutrients a 50% weekly water change will prevent any build up.

Dosing

It is impossible to say exactly what the nutritional requirements are but the following list is fairly typical of the maximum uptake of a well planted and well lit tank :-

Nitrogen (N) 4.5 ppm
Phosphorous (P) 1 ppm
Potassium (K) 30 ppm
Magnesium (Mg) 10 ppm
Iron (Fe) 0.5 ppm
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 30 ppm
Also required are trace elements.

Note these are weekly levels and would be added in smaller quantities say 3 or 4 times per week.

These nutrients can be found in a number of chemical salts, in particular:-
Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
Mono potassium phosphate (KH2PO4)
Potassium sulphate (K2SO4)
Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4)
Fluidsensor trace mix (Includes iron and other essential trace elements)
The other important requirement is CO2. This can be added as a gas but will require an expensive set up – regulator, needle valve, solenoid valve as well as a gas cylinder. A more convenient method is to use a product such as EasyCarbo which is manufactured by Easy Life and available from Fluisensoronline.

Typical Dose Routine:-
Potassium nitrate KNO3 0.011 gm / litre
Monopotassium phosphate KH2PO4 0.0015 gm / litre
Potassium sulphate K2SO4 0.011 gm /litre
Magnesium sulphate MgSO4 0.035 gm / litre
These should be added 3 times per week, every other day.
On the alternate days add Fluidsensor Trace Mix at the rate of 0.002 gm / litre
Every day add 0.02 – 0.04 ml / litre EasyCarbo

Sunday – 50% water change, add salts (or stock solutions) + EasyCarbo
Monday – Add trace mix + EasyCarbo
Tuesday – Add salts + EasyCarbo
Wednesday – Add trace + EasyCarbo
Thursday – Add salts + EasyCarbo
Friday – Add trace + EasyCarbo
Saturday – EasyCarbo

An important part of the EI system is that the amounts and dose routine are not cast in stone! If you miss a day or are away for the weekend it isn’t going to make any difference. Your plants will survive and your tank will come to no harm.

Stock Solutions

As the quantities of salts and trace mix are very small it is recommended that small amounts of the salts are mixed with water (preferably de-ionized or RO)

References:-
The Barr report
James Planted Tank
UKAPS.org

The use of either CO2 injection or Flourish Excel™ does not necessarily negate the use of the other. Because the processes of producing photosynthetic intermediates and building onto them occur simultaneously, one can derive a substantial benefit with the use of Flourish Excel™ either alone or in conjunction with CO2 . The combination is particularly ideal for situations when continuing to add CO2 could result in dangerously low pH levels. Flourish Excel™ also has iron reducing properties which promote the ferrous state of iron (Fe+2), which is more easily utilized by plants than ferric iron (Fe+3).

Why It’s Different
The reason plants need CO2 is to produce longer chain carbon compounds also known as photosynthetic intermediates. Photosynthetic intermediates includes compounds such as ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, and 2-carboxy-3-keto-D-arabinitol 1,5 bisphosphate. Although the names are complicated, the structures are quite simple (5 carbon chains). Flourish Excel™ does not contain these specific compounds per se, but one that is quite similar. By dosing with Flourish Excel™ you bypass the involvement of CO2 and introduce the already finished, structurally similar compounds. It is in its structural similarity that Flourish Excel™ is able to be utilized in the carbon chain building process of photosynthesis. Simple chemical or enzymatic steps can easily convert it to any one to any one of the above named compounds (or a variety of others).

Dose :-
On initial use or after a major (> 40%) water change, use 1 capful (5 mL) for every 40 L (10 gallons*). Thereafter use 1 capful for every 200 L (50 gallons*) daily or every other day. Dosing may be slowly increased in high-growth aquariums. For smaller dosing please note that each cap thread is approximately 1 mL.

Available from our eSHOP

Easy-Life Ferro provides iron (Fe II) in a highly concentrated form.
It also contains supporting nutrients such as potassium.
Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis) is a possible sign of  iron defficiency.

Ferro is nitrate and phosphate free.

Advantages of Ferro:

• a highly concentrated and complete source of iron
• can be used in conjunction with other Easy Life products
• nitrate and phosphate free
• economical
• easy to use, no mixing

Dosage :-

Ferro is very economical : 1 ml per 10 litres of aquarium water will increase the level of  iron (Fe) by 0.05ppm (ppm = mg/l)

Do not overdose.
For use only in aquariums / garden ponds.
Store out of reach of children and in a cool dark place.

Ferro is manufactured in the EU by Easy Life Int. BV, Arnhem, The Netherlands.

Available from our eSHOP

Potassium (K) is a macro nutrient – essential for healthy plant growth. Easy-Life Kalium provides this in a highly concentrated form.
Other macro nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous can occur naturally in an aquarium but potassium does not. It is therefore important to add it to the tank – particularly to well planted tanks with plenty of light.
Easy-Life Kalium also promotes the absorption and take up of other nutrients and trace elements by the plants.

Kalium is nitrate and phosphate free.

Advantages of Kalium : -

• a highly concentrated and complete source of potassium
• can be used in conjunction with other Easy Life products
• nitrate and phospate free
• economical
• easy to use, no mixing

Dosage : -

Kalium is very economical : 1 ml per 10 litres of aquarium water will increase the level of potassium (K) by 4 ppm (ppm = mg/l)
In most cases this is a sufficient weekly dose.