I've mixed up a batch of trace and iron manutec pmdd 1/4ts each to 100ml
water. Do I keep this mixture in the fridge or at room temp. Ta.

"Suzy Jackson" wrote in message
...
Stephen wrote:

I have been unable to locate the recommended trace element mix here in
Sydney. As a substitute I have been using a trace element mix from
Manutec. As this only has 2.73% iron (as iron chelate) I have been
bring the iron level up by adding Iron Chelate, again from Manutec
(Labelled as %13 ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid)

We do exactly the same as you, mixing Manutec trace element mix and Iron
Chelate teaspoon for teaspoon. (We're in Sydney too). We get the brown
precipitate in the bottle, but I haven't noticed brown precipitate
dropping
to the bottom of the tank.

FWIW, we dose just 1ml/day of trace element mix (1 tsp Manutec Trace & 1
tsp
Manutec Fe in 400ml water) each day in our 350 litre tank, and that brings
our iron levels up to the 0.1ppm level nicely. We originally used
considerably more, but our iron levels went through the roof. In addition
we dose 1ml of Macro mix (1/2 tbsp KNO3 & 1 tbsp K2SO4 in 400ml). We do a
20-30% water change about once or twice a week (we have a bunch of discus
in
our tank). When I remember (like about once every six months) I put a few
root tabs in (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals ones - 3% K2O, 1% Mg, 15% Fe, 3% S,
1.8g per tablet) under the larger Amazon swords.

We use 190W of mixed compact and T-8 fluorescents, and inject pressurised
CO2 into the canister to keep the pH at about 6.8. We have mainly Amazon
swords, cryptocorns, and Anubias in the tank, as well as lots of bogwood.
The plants grow reasonably nicely, without being a huge headache to trim,
and the tank is relatively algae free.

So my advice is to stick with the Manutec stuff. It's good, cheap
fertiliser. We bought about 500gm of each a little over a year ago, and
have enough to last the next few years.

I have some more details on my website (click on aquariums) if you're
interested.

Regards,

Suzy
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Suzy Jackson http://www.suzyj.net