Search results for query: *

I had mold grow in a bottle of all in one solution. As suggested by someone on here I added a small amount of citric to the last batch and so far it’s staying clear. Plants and inmates haven’t shown any adverse reactions. Having said that I don’t seem to need to add very much to get good plant...

Update: Shortly after my last post I made up a batch and it’s still perfectly clear. I roughly doubled the amount of E202 and added a small amount of Citric Acid to the deionised water before the other chemicals were mixed in. Curiously there was a tiny ball of powdery residue stuck on the...

Thanks to Darrel I’m still using largely rainwater in my tanks. It comes off a rubber lined shed roof and normally has a TDS of around 30. I filter it through kitchen towel or coffee filters to help prevent bugs getting into the tanks. It’s fee so I might as well use it!

I checked the TDS of mine and it was 29. There was also a little mould in the reservoir by the look of it.

It was suggested that it may contain heavy metals?

This topic came up about water collection from a dehumidifier. The consensus was that it’s not a good idea. Shame really as I chuck litres of it down the sink.

Thanks, I may try that next time. 0.45g per litre sounds a bit low? The recipe I follow uses 0.5g of Ascorbic Acid and 0.2g of Potassium Sorbate for a 500ml mix. This is the full recipe: 10g Potassium Nitrate 2.3g Monopotassium Phosphate 4.0g Potassium Sulphate 8.0g Magnesium Sulphate...

Just a thought but could you use Citric Acid instead of Ascorbic Acid and/or Potassium Sorbate in an AIO mix? https://fbcindustries.com/citric-acid-one-of-the-most-important-preservatives-in-the-world/

I’ve used these folks for other chemicals via their eBay site. No good for trace elements but I may see what other salts they can supply when I run out? https://apcpure.com/product-category/chemicals/powders/ Amazon also seem to have stuff in modest quantities as well.

Any good? https://aquaplantscare.uk/shop/aquatic-plants-fertiliser/chelated-trace-elements-csmb/

Sounds good. 👍If you get a moment perhaps you’d do a tutorial or a “dummies” guide of your process? We like pictures as well so feel free to add anything you feel relevant.

Sodium Benzoate sounds like a scary substance from what I’ve read ( I avoid any foods that have it listed in the ingredients). I might use it in a plants only aquarium but as I have inmates in both of mine it’s not something I’d use.

Yes agreed. I’ve seen some Tropica fertiliser that’s been on the shelf a long time judging by the dust on them and they were perfectly clear and sold in transparent bottles? What’s the secret? It’s also a very bright Green compared to many others.

I use the first formula on this site and haven’t had it go cloudy. A very old batch did have some sediment once though. http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm 10g Potassium Nitrate 2.3g Monopotassium Phosphate 4.0g Potassium Sulphate 8.0g Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate (Epsom Salts)...

I noticed some mould growing on my all in one solution. Will adding a little extra Potassium Sorbate help to stop this?

Is this of any help? http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm

Yes you’re quite right. I always consider a “teaspoon” as a standardised NHS 5ml (used for medication) and use a 5ml measure. For other purposes though it seems it can be anywhere from 4 to 7ml which isn’t helpful.

Thanks for that, I’ll do some calculations.

I’ll need to mix up some all in one solution soon but my scales are broken. Is there a recipe that uses teaspoons or fractions thereof? My problem is that I don’t need to make up any more than a litre and that will last ages!

Thanks for that.

I’ve been using genuine TPN or a clone from TNC salts but do you have a link for the recipes for TNC and TSN?

Just thinking out loud but would crushed egg shells in a bag in the filter work?

All a bit too technical for me, how many Holland & Barrett 20mg Gentle Iron tablets do I add a month to a 30L Nano?! :lol:

I made up some solutions some years ago from this site. http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm When I was sorting through my box of bits recently the standard all in one solution was still fine but the DIY TPN+ 3 had separated and had a brown sludge at the bottom. I took from this that...

Wish we had the formula, Citric Acid is cheap enough. :joyful:

https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/dennerle---carbo-elixier-bio-nano-100ml-2510-p.asp It’s says it’s based on all natural ingredients? So maybe not glutaraldehyde.

That’s not a leaf, it’s a Loach. Sorry, I’ll get my coat ... :lol:

The PCV for Nickel in my area is 20ug/l Luckily the maximum reading last year was only 3.24.

No idea what’s in it but we use Tomorite or another generic Tomato feed for anything we intend to eat from the garden.

I’ve not tried them personally as I’m well stocked with salts.

I recently found a couple of bottles I’d mixed up some years ago. One bottle looked absolutely fine and clear so I kept it, the other one was a different recipe and had separated with a brown sludge in the bottom so I got rid of that one.

You can buy some of the salts you need on eBay but there was a complaint on here about someone doing that and not getting what they thought they were. You can get Epsom salts in many places but as it’s popular for things like bath salts I’d be worried about additives you probably wouldn’t want...

Try these folks. Dry Chemicals - Fertilisers And Aquatic Plants Fertiliser

Then again ... for a 19L Nano a bottle of this will last a long time. https://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk/plant-fertilisers-co2/1376-tropica-specialised-fertiliser-300ml-5703249617002.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsITW5OHL4gIVtQrTCh2yngJvEAQYAiABEgLslvD_BwE

For what it’s worth I’m using TNC complete until it runs out then I’m going to use the all-in-one formula on here: http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm I already have the salts I got from: https://www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/ If there are any signs of an iron deficiency then I can...

I only use it for plants in the garden. I transferred the box of Miracle Grow powder I had into a plastic tub because it got wet and when I sometimes get it on my fingers it turns them blue and it’s difficult to wash off.

I found out the bright blue colour in Miracle Grow is Copper Sulphate. ;)

It’s been a few months so how are you getting on with this Andrew?

Thanks for that. I think I’ll try and use the old mix I’ve got and see how I get on. It’s mainly for mosses at the moment so I’m sure it’ll be ok. If not I’ll bin it and mix up some more. As for colour I’m not too sure but some commercial ferts are very bright green so I reckon they use food...

Have a look at the pictures of some plant fertilisers I mixed up years ago. Both have trace in them but whilst one has stayed clear the other showed precipitation. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/why-macro-and-micro.57619/#post-561831

Funny you should say that, just found this. Digging through my old box of aquarium stuff I found these two bottles that I must have mixed up over six years ago. On the left is the original all-in one solution you linked to earlier and on the right is the DIY TPN+ 3 recipe. The one on the...

It would be nice to know which all-in one fertilisers work and which don’t. I’m actually using the last of my TNC all-in one and need to buy some more or mix my own. I have some salts somewhere. Just seen this.

So basically you’re saying all in one fertilisers don’t work?

There seem to be a lot of commercial all in one plant fertilisers out there (and several DIY recipes) so why do some folks use separate Macro and Micro solutions?

Yes I use the bright Blue stuff in the garden as well. House plants get the iconic Brown stuff!

https://www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/tnc-complete-1000ml-229-p.asp Should I be adding food colouring to my all in one formula? :lol: Or is there something missing ...

That’s what tall plants are for! :lol:

https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/gear/reviews/articles/review-dennerle-dosator Not sure how much it works out using their fertiliser but the unit itself is not very expensive.

I've been using the AIO from: http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm Are there any other recipes out there that are specified by volume of ingredients rather than weight? My scales are working fine at the moment but measuring spoons don’t break or need batteries! :lol:

Sorry if this has been asked before but I did a search and couldn’t find anything. Do continued use of carbon filters remove plant fertilisers?

Get big tubs then! :lol:

I'd expect them to last quite a while provided they're kept dry?

Thanks Clive. I certainly don't want to increase TDS any further so thanks for mentioning that! :thumbup: Surrey tap is currently around 350 last time I measured it which is higher than I'd like. I'll give the DIY TPN No 1 a try.

Already done! Although I may change recipes ... :lol:

I've saved that page as a PDF file and printed it out as a leaflet! :lol:

Which of the four recipes would you Moss heads use in a Nano to get the best growth/colour? http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm I'm not using CO2 but have a bottle of EasyCarbo :)

I only use the wide mouth bottles for mixing/storage. I have dosing bottles and bought a pack of mixed syringes on ebay cheap - 1,5,10 and 20Ml.

I'll have your E300 & E202 if you aren't going to use them :)

As you've bought E300 & E202 I'm guessing you want to go with an all-in-one solution. Full details of how to prepare it and dosing here: http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/allinone.htm

No need for jugs, just use a wide mouth bottle:

Re: What spec scales - Weighing EL chems You know I'm going to edit my post to say 1/128 spoon don't you.... :lol: sr20det: Will you be going all in one solution or macro/micro? Just wondered.

Re: What spec scales - Weighing EL chems You can still use spoons if it suits you, just use them to make up a 500ml or 1L of solution. 1L may last you some time on a small Nano! :D You've probably already seen it but if not this may be of use...

Re: What spec scales - Weighing EL chems Measuring volume rather than weight is valid and some recipes have both measurements which is very handy. Weighing only requires one "item" (the balance) which is suitable for measuring ferts for any size tank. Measuring volumes for small tanks, a 20L...

Re: What spec scales - Weighing EL chems 200g is more than high enough unless you have another use in mind. Resolution is another consideration though, some measure down to .1 of a g some .01 or even finer in some cases. Depends how accurate you want to be.

Perhaps while you're on holiday you could use a one solution fert like TNC Complete or Tropica instead?

Sounds good, thanks for posting the link. :thumbup: Any reason for not using the all-in-one solution?

Very comprehensive answer that went way over my head but thanks for taking the time. :D I suppose I should have asked, can I use this stuff in the fert recipe in the same way or do I need to adjust the amount?

But why does it say 49% Clive?

I've just got some dry ferts from one of our sponsors but I didn't order any Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate - MgSO4) as I already had some. Now I've looked at the packet it says: 49% MgSO4 = 16% MgO. Is this the right stuff?!

Thanks very much Darrel, you've come up trumps again :thumbup: Perhaps someone should tell TNC! :roll: :D

On the TNC site it says that you may not need Magnesium Sulphate if you are in a hard water area. Do those of you with hard water add it or not? :eh: http://www.thenutrientcompany.com/aquarium/calculators/

How would you ensure they were mixed together adequately?

I'll try the JPT all-in-one recipe then. :wink: I only mentioned Tetra PlantaMin as I've got some in the cupboard. :D

Thanks for the very comprehensive reply! Luckily I'm not using this in the Aquarium, just in pots on the window sill - see first post. I'll continue with it for now and use some Tetra PlantaMin when I fill the tank until I get round to buying some chemicals. What do you think of the all-in-one...

Interesting link of possible alternatives: http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/rev-cond.htm

I wouldn't mind if the UK price was a bit more reasonable but as usual it can be bought a lot cheaper in other countries. I've not tried it myself yet but if I do I'll get it from Germany as part of a bigger order as it's £4 a (500ml) bottle cheaper. :wink:

Thanks Tim, I'll have a read.

Are there any fast growing plants I should find space for that would help to keep Algae at bay? I really need help on this one!

Anybody? :eh:

My newly set up Nano will have mainly Moss in it so do I need to add ferts to it until/if I actually put other plants in there? I assume if I do add ferts the moss will grow a bit quicker but will it be enough to keep algae at bay, and what about Easycarbo?!

A couple of months old I know but I love this post. Science, plain speaking and humour wrap up a wonderfully informative and entertaining reply. :thumbup: Hats off to you Darrel! Vic.

Mentioned here, was thought to be ok: http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f= ... 3&start=10

I'm collecting/maintaining plants in pots ready for the tank and I'm using a standard feed at the moment as I happened to have some: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chempak-Formula ... B0040U2SS8 I'm mixing 50g of it in 500ml of water and adding it at a rate of .5ml per litre. Am I in the ballpark...

Yes, good link. Thanks for that!

Anyone considered a slow dosing pumped system, perhaps for when they're away? Peristaltic pumps seem to be available at reasonable prices. Would take some working out to make up a suitable strength solution as a starting point but I'm sure the more expert members on here could do it...

I'm not the expert you're waiting for but it's not too much Iron is it? :? I saw something similar in one of my books recently.