eiginh

What kind do you have, brand and where did you get it? I also heard dry fertz are better than liquid, is this true? Thanks in advance!

http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/in...ion1=infopage4

MPrudent

I use a modified method of EI dosing using Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4), Mono Potassium phosphate (KH2PO4). I quit dosing Potassium nitrate (KNO3) as my tank is overstocked and the plants get plenty of nitrates without having to dose them. I dose my macros 3 times a week and traces 3 times a week, on the 7th day I do a 50% water change. I order all my dry ferts from Orlando at greenleafaquariums.com. They aren't the cheapest but the product is very good quality, they usually weigh more than ordered, and the shipping is super fast.

mathas

I order mine from Orlando as well. His service is second-to-none, and I'd pay a few dollars more for that... the bonus extra weight is just icing on the cake!

eiginh

What doe EI mean? Is the fertz you are using usually the typical fertz needed for a planted aquarium?

mathas

"EI" is short for Estimative Index, a dosing regimen developed by Tom Barr. There's an entire subforum devoted to the method at his site, found here. A good thread to start with is The Estimative Index of Dosing, or No Need for Test Kits.

aquascaping World Magazine also posted an article about it with a pretty good guideline for how much of what to dose given tank size, found here.

I follow the amounts in the AWM article, and I've had great results.

eiginh

How much does Green Leaf Aquarium charge for shipping? I know they charge but weight but whats the estimate? It won't show unless I submit the order...

mathas

It usually starts around $7 and goes up from there based on weight and possibly distance.

And for the record, you don't actually have to submit the order, you just have to enter a billing address. Once their shopping cart software knows where the order is headed, it can calculate the shipping cost.

eiginh

Yes, I figured it out. Thank you. They're charging almost 20 bucks and they're in Napa California which is about an 8 hour drive. I guess it's FedEx or UPS, though it would be cheaper and probably faster with USPS priority mail. "If it fits it ships!" lol. I just ordered these from a different source.
KNO3 - for potassium and nitrate
KH2PO4 - for phosphate
CSM+B - for trace elements
K2SO4 - for potassium

Total is 31.73 including shipping. Now I need to find plants!

eiginh

I think I might be having a problem with my DIY co2 2 liter. It's been since Friday evening when I started the batch and I see really tiny bubbles but I don't see any bubbles coming out from the temporary airstone. I'm also using a air-valve which came with the tetra air pump which has a knob to control the flow. I sealed the cap with the tubing with silicone. My batch is 2 cups of sugar, 1 teaspoon dry yest, and filled the 2 liter %85 with warm water. I think the batch has been done correctly since bubbles are forming but how long does it take to see the bubbles come out of the air stone?