jvision Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 Topic pinned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Elliott Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 (edited) For quick reference here is Tom Barr's EI values (as found in the article mentioned by jvision) General Dosing Guideline for High Light and well planted aquariums. 10- 20 Gallon Aquariums +/- 1/8 tsp KNO3 (N) 3x a week +/- 1/32 tsp KH2PO4 (P) 3x a week +/- 1/32 tsp K2SO4 (K) 3x a week +/- 1/32 tsp (2ml) Trace Elements 3x a week 50% weekly water change 20-40 Gallon Aquariums +/- ¼ tsp KN03 3x a week +/- 1/16 tsp KH2P04 3x a week +/- 1/16 tsp K2S04 3x a week +/- 1/16 tsp (5ml) Trace Elements 3x a week 50% weekly water change 40-60 Gallon Aquariums +/- 1/2 tsp KN03 3x a week +/- 1/8 tsp KH2P04 3x a week +/- 1/8 tsp K2S04 3x a week +/- 1/8 (10ml) Trace Elements 3x a week 50% weekly water change 60 – 80 Gallon Aquariums +/- 3/4 tsp KN03 3x a week +/- 3/16 tsp KH2P04 3x a week +/- 1/4 tsp K2S04 3x a week +/- ¼ tsp (15ml) Trace 3x a week 50% weekly water change 100 - 125 Gallon Aquarium +/- 1 1/2 tsp KN03 3x a week +/- ½ tsp KH2P04 3x a week +/- ½ tsp K2S04 3x a week +/- ½ tsp (30ml) Trace 3x a week 50% weekly water change EI target ranges CO2 range 20-30 ppm NO3 range 5-30 ppm K+ range 10-30 ppm PO4 range 1.0-2.0 ppm Fe 0.2-0.5ppm or higher GH range 3-5 degrees ~ 50ppm or higher KH range 3-5 And here are a couple of measurements I've found useful. 1 gram of water = 1 CC = 1 mL = 20 drops = 1/4 teaspoon Edited September 8, 2008 by Joseph Elliott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shai Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Yay! Thanks. : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobies et al Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 That's great information! Be aware that drop size varies with what you are dropping from. At work our drop sizes vary from 10 to 60 drops per ml. so if you are measuring by drops and things aren't working that could be a variable to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Elliott Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Thanks i didn't know about the differing drop sizes, although it makes sense now that I think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airdrieaquarist Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 I have found it much easier to feed my plants since I started using the Estimative Index. The plants are fed ALL of what they need (as long as CO2 levels are OK), and algae growth is minimal. The problem with EI is that it overdoses all nutrients, which is VERY expensive using the commercial fertilizers. That's why most of us using EI dose with dry ferts. Now, when I start to notice an algae problem, I look at CO2 first b/c the nutrients should be OK; however, if CO2 is good (I check by just adding a bit more. That usually does it. If algae persists, I look at nutrients), then I add some extra nutrient, depending on what algae is growing: Spot Algae usually means P deficiency BBA and BGA usually mean N deficiency Hair algae is almost always CO2 deficiency I'm just getting into the EI dailly dose routine and have just realized myself how crazy it is not to use Dry ferts. The one problem I am trying to deal with is the Hard water here in Airdrie. Out of the tap, ph is 8.1 KH is like 8 and GH is way crazy high. So for water changes, It would seem that I have no choice but to go with R/O which is kind of annoying. I don't dose KH2P04 because of the already high degree of GH/KH. I could change water with tap water IF I use Peat in my sump, but i really don't want the tea-colored water anymore. PPS-pro dosing system reduces the need for water changes but I don't think you would get the same type of growth with this system as you would with EI dosing. Anyone else in Calgary area have suggestions for water changes? Is half tap/half RO water an option on a weekly basis? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogfish Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Really glad to have read this and seeing that someone with a lot of experience is dumping dry straight into the tank because not knowing better this is what I've been doing. To dose K I'm using KCl 0-0-60. I really like how much you get out of so little I did thorough research before adding it because of the Cl but its chloride ions not chlorine molecules so it has no ill effects on the ecosystem at least not since I started four months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjam Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 I like to dilute my EI setup, and it works great, I put them in pump bottles. Here in Toronto, I have given these mixtures to a few people locally. It makes the process much easier to dose. I jus dose the macro together 3x week and micro 3x week, then sunday water change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frogfish Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Water pH also plays a critical role in plant health care, nutrient availability fluctuates with pH. Most essential nutrients are most available at a pH of around 6.5. Iron for example is less available for plants to uptake as pH increases and adding iron may not help reduce deficiency symptoms. Thus far I believe the easiest and lower maintenance way to maintain pH at optimum levels is to run a large CO₂ tank system with the solenoid plugged into a ph meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJester Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Thank you for the great resource! I am just starting to get int a planted tank and taking in as much info as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckmullin Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Thank you for the great resource! I am just starting to get int a planted tank and taking in as much info as possible. If you had any questions about planted tanks give me a shout happy to offer tips if wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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