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Fe usage
As some of you may remember, I have the following set-up...
75 gal. tank 220 watts of CF lighting suspended about 3-4" above the water line UV Sterilizer CO2 injected via pressurized bottle KH 3-4 ppm GH 5 ppm pH 6.5 Temp. 75 degrees F Nitrates around 6-11 ppm fairly steadily Phosphates are around 0.1 ppm I also add trace elements, etc. I don't have any algae besides the normal "non-problematic" algae such as the spot algae on the glass from time to time. The question I have is on Fe uptake. I was wondering how much Fe plants can use over the course of a day or two. I seem to be adding a lot of trace elements, and the Fe seems to disappear almost within a day. I've been trying to measure the amount in the water to get a general idea, but I can't register any a day after I've added some. I've been putting anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of dry trace mixture into a milk jug of water and dumping the entire mixture in. I've heard two different sides of the UV sterilizer issue, and have a hard time believing it would corrupt the traces that quick. The trace mix (dry form) is about 2 years old, and I wonder if that is playing a part. Maybe the test kit is bad, although this doesn't seem to be the case since it will measure it one day but not the next. The plants are doing ok, but growth seems like it could be better (I've seen better in previous tanks). I have a hard time getting the robust growth without the leaves getting full of some minor spot algae. The Bacopa Carolinia seems to be growing slow as well. Any ideas on this? Thanks, -- Craig Brye University of Phoenix Online |
Pardon me if I ask the 'duh' answer first. Do you use a water
conditioner and, if so, is it one that 'detoxifies heavy metals?' kush "Craig Brye" wrote in message ... As some of you may remember, I have the following set-up... 75 gal. tank 220 watts of CF lighting suspended about 3-4" above the water line UV Sterilizer CO2 injected via pressurized bottle KH 3-4 ppm GH 5 ppm pH 6.5 Temp. 75 degrees F Nitrates around 6-11 ppm fairly steadily Phosphates are around 0.1 ppm I also add trace elements, etc. I don't have any algae besides the normal "non-problematic" algae such as the spot algae on the glass from time to time. The question I have is on Fe uptake. I was wondering how much Fe plants can use over the course of a day or two. I seem to be adding a lot of trace elements, and the Fe seems to disappear almost within a day. I've been trying to measure the amount in the water to get a general idea, but I can't register any a day after I've added some. I've been putting anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of dry trace mixture into a milk jug of water and dumping the entire mixture in. I've heard two different sides of the UV sterilizer issue, and have a hard time believing it would corrupt the traces that quick. The trace mix (dry form) is about 2 years old, and I wonder if that is playing a part. Maybe the test kit is bad, although this doesn't seem to be the case since it will measure it one day but not the next. The plants are doing ok, but growth seems like it could be better (I've seen better in previous tanks). I have a hard time getting the robust growth without the leaves getting full of some minor spot algae. The Bacopa Carolinia seems to be growing slow as well. Any ideas on this? Thanks, |
"kush" wrote in message om... Pardon me if I ask the 'duh' answer first. Do you use a water conditioner and, if so, is it one that 'detoxifies heavy metals?' The OP may or may not, but I am currently using one because it was all I could find at the crummy stores by me. What's a good brand of water conditioner that won't remove all the precious iron? Maybe I could find it online. |
Nope... I don't. Good question though.
-- Craig Brye University of Phoenix Online "kush" wrote in message om... Pardon me if I ask the 'duh' answer first. Do you use a water conditioner and, if so, is it one that 'detoxifies heavy metals?' kush "Craig Brye" wrote in message ... As some of you may remember, I have the following set-up... 75 gal. tank 220 watts of CF lighting suspended about 3-4" above the water line UV Sterilizer CO2 injected via pressurized bottle KH 3-4 ppm GH 5 ppm pH 6.5 Temp. 75 degrees F Nitrates around 6-11 ppm fairly steadily Phosphates are around 0.1 ppm I also add trace elements, etc. I don't have any algae besides the normal "non-problematic" algae such as the spot algae on the glass from time to time. The question I have is on Fe uptake. I was wondering how much Fe plants can use over the course of a day or two. I seem to be adding a lot of trace elements, and the Fe seems to disappear almost within a day. I've been trying to measure the amount in the water to get a general idea, but I can't register any a day after I've added some. I've been putting anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of dry trace mixture into a milk jug of water and dumping the entire mixture in. I've heard two different sides of the UV sterilizer issue, and have a hard time believing it would corrupt the traces that quick. The trace mix (dry form) is about 2 years old, and I wonder if that is playing a part. Maybe the test kit is bad, although this doesn't seem to be the case since it will measure it one day but not the next. The plants are doing ok, but growth seems like it could be better (I've seen better in previous tanks). I have a hard time getting the robust growth without the leaves getting full of some minor spot algae. The Bacopa Carolinia seems to be growing slow as well. Any ideas on this? Thanks, |
75 gal. tank
220 watts of CF lighting suspended about 3-4" above the water line UV Sterilizer CO2 injected via pressurized bottle KH 3-4 ppm GH 5 ppm pH 6.5 Temp. 75 degrees F Nitrates around 6-11 ppm fairly steadily Phosphates are around 0.1 ppm I also add trace elements, etc. I don't have any algae besides the normal "non-problematic" algae such as the spot algae on the glass from time to time. Add more PO4, at least 0.5ppm.Your spot algae will go away if the CO2 is also good. I assume you mean 3-4KH degrees, not 3-4ppm. You can search on this site, the APD and other places for my comments on Fe and uptake and testing. I will tell you to toss your kit. It will not ell you what you need to know. For your tank you need to resolve how much traces you need in this manner: Make sure other things are non limiting, the CO2, the NO3, GH, K+, PO4(you need to add this) and then add 15mls of flourish or TMG 3x a week. That is close to the max uptake needs of plants at 330w of light. From therer, back slowly off the dosing, do each change over 3 weeks, so the following 3 week block, do only 12mls 3x a week etc. Once plant growth starts looking so-so, then you have hit the minmum. No kit required. But you will note a much improved tank if you add PO4, you will also see the NO3 uptake rate increase 2-5x. Dose the traces one day and the next the macros. Plant % of Fe means adding very small amounts, perhaps 0.06ppm a day is plenty, but experience shows we need to add more than this. Fe complexes with water(10 or so diferent types), is oxidized, and can complex with a dozen or more organic compounds. A test kit will not tell you how much is bioavailable to the plant. Regards, Tom Barr The question I have is on Fe uptake. I was wondering how much Fe plants can use over the course of a day or two. I seem to be adding a lot of trace elements, and the Fe seems to disappear almost within a day. I've been trying to measure the amount in the water to get a general idea, but I can't register any a day after I've added some. I've been putting anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of dry trace mixture into a milk jug of water and dumping the entire mixture in. I've heard two different sides of the UV sterilizer issue, and have a hard time believing it would corrupt the traces that quick. The trace mix (dry form) is about 2 years old, and I wonder if that is playing a part. Maybe the test kit is bad, although this doesn't seem to be the case since it will measure it one day but not the next. The plants are doing ok, but growth seems like it could be better (I've seen better in previous tanks). I have a hard time getting the robust growth without the leaves getting full of some minor spot algae. The Bacopa Carolinia seems to be growing slow as well. Any ideas on this? Thanks, |
I'll try this...
Thanks -- Craig Brye University of Phoenix Online " wrote in message m... 75 gal. tank 220 watts of CF lighting suspended about 3-4" above the water line UV Sterilizer CO2 injected via pressurized bottle KH 3-4 ppm GH 5 ppm pH 6.5 Temp. 75 degrees F Nitrates around 6-11 ppm fairly steadily Phosphates are around 0.1 ppm I also add trace elements, etc. I don't have any algae besides the normal "non-problematic" algae such as the spot algae on the glass from time to time. Add more PO4, at least 0.5ppm.Your spot algae will go away if the CO2 is also good. I assume you mean 3-4KH degrees, not 3-4ppm. You can search on this site, the APD and other places for my comments on Fe and uptake and testing. I will tell you to toss your kit. It will not ell you what you need to know. For your tank you need to resolve how much traces you need in this manner: Make sure other things are non limiting, the CO2, the NO3, GH, K+, PO4(you need to add this) and then add 15mls of flourish or TMG 3x a week. That is close to the max uptake needs of plants at 330w of light. From therer, back slowly off the dosing, do each change over 3 weeks, so the following 3 week block, do only 12mls 3x a week etc. Once plant growth starts looking so-so, then you have hit the minmum. No kit required. But you will note a much improved tank if you add PO4, you will also see the NO3 uptake rate increase 2-5x. Dose the traces one day and the next the macros. Plant % of Fe means adding very small amounts, perhaps 0.06ppm a day is plenty, but experience shows we need to add more than this. Fe complexes with water(10 or so diferent types), is oxidized, and can complex with a dozen or more organic compounds. A test kit will not tell you how much is bioavailable to the plant. Regards, Tom Barr The question I have is on Fe uptake. I was wondering how much Fe plants can use over the course of a day or two. I seem to be adding a lot of trace elements, and the Fe seems to disappear almost within a day. I've been trying to measure the amount in the water to get a general idea, but I can't register any a day after I've added some. I've been putting anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of dry trace mixture into a milk jug of water and dumping the entire mixture in. I've heard two different sides of the UV sterilizer issue, and have a hard time believing it would corrupt the traces that quick. The trace mix (dry form) is about 2 years old, and I wonder if that is playing a part. Maybe the test kit is bad, although this doesn't seem to be the case since it will measure it one day but not the next. The plants are doing ok, but growth seems like it could be better (I've seen better in previous tanks). I have a hard time getting the robust growth without the leaves getting full of some minor spot algae. The Bacopa Carolinia seems to be growing slow as well. Any ideas on this? Thanks, |
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