Good trace mixes that you can buy are TMG (Tropica Master Gro - you can
get it a Big Als online), and Seachem Flourish (get this at most LFSs).
You can also DIY and make your own PMDD (poor man's dosing drops).
I've *just* started wandering down that particular avenue, so my
experience isn't too deep with it. If you're just starting out, it's
probably better to get the TMG or Flourish until you're more acquainted
with fertilizing in general. Flourish comes in the basic "Flourish" and
then there's flourish with iron, flourish excel, etc. I'd start with
the Flourish with iron, unless you know that you already have enough
iron. The TMG already has iron in it. You can test for iron, or you
can use Chuck Gadd's webpage to see if you can tell more specifically
which nutrients your plants might be deficient in. Try out
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm for a good starting point.

Best of luck!
pete

Doug Sheely wrote:
temp set at 78 deg any suggestions on trace elements?
"kush" wrote in message
...

OK, you've got more than enough light and CO2 for photosynthesis, so if
you're plants aren't growing, I assume that either they're nutrient
deficient or the water's too cold. You've got nitrate and phosphate, so

you

need to supplement with trace elements. Make sure your thermostat is set

at

72º or better.

Doug Sheely wrote in message
...

My tank has been set up for about two years but I just added the plants

and

new lighting within the last couple of months. I am not adding any
fertilizers and I do have a UV sterilizer running after having a serious
green water outbreak approximately 2 weeks ago.Plants include Amazon

Swords,

Camboa, Ludwiga,Micro Swords and others.
"kush" wrote in message
. ..

At pH 6.9 and kH 15, by formula, your CO2 is right at the level where

it

may

start being harmful to your fish.

What kind of plants do you have, how long has the tank been up, are

you

adding fertilizer, and what is the water temperature? Do you have

algae

and, if so, what kind?

kush

Doug Sheely wrote in message
...

These are my current test measurements of my 55g planted community

tank.

Any

suggestions?

PH 6.9
KH 15
Nitrite 0
Amonia 0
Phosphate 1.0
Nitrate 20

Plant growth is minimal and no fish distress that I can see. I am

fairly

sure that my Co2 level is a little high. Co2 is injected at

aproximnately

a

bubble a second. small gravel substrate. Magnum cannister filter.

2 -

55

watt pc lights. Thanks in advance for your suggestions to improve

plant

growth and overall health.










--
--
pete

"It is unwise to insult a doughnut be refusing to eat it."