A bit confused about fertilizer and ration

[tjatx]

Hello all,

I am in the process of setting up a new US 20 gallon tank and a bit confused about the fertilization process. I used to have a 200 gallon heavily planted tank couple of years ago and was using all in one fertilizer, but the cost added up quick. After some life changes, I am getting back into the hobby and starting small so the 20 gallon. I don't want to use all in one because of the cost so decided to go with dry salts and this is where I am getting a bit confused.

I am using the IFC calculator and I'm afraid it's a bit too advanced for my brain. If I am using KNO3, do I need to put the ratio as 100 next to the compound name? What's the solubility level?



I am also using the chihiros dosing pump so it can pump the fertilizer about 10 minutes before lights come on. Using 100% RODI water since my water is extremely hard. Should I make any changes to the fertilizer salts?

 

[hypnogogia]

Set the ratios to 1 for all your salts. The solubility level tells you how close you are to not being able to dissolve your salts in your chosen quantity of water.

Why are you using potassium sulfate? Why no magnesium? What are you doing for Fe?

 

[tjatx]

Thanks for your reply. Can you explain what do you mean by this? The solubility level tells you how close you are to not being able to discover your salts in your chosen quantity of water.

Using potassium sulfate because I have a bit left over for my garden project. I was thinking about buying some magnesium sulfate but, since I am using shrimp mineral gh+ to remineralize my water , assumed magnesium will come from that. For Fe, buying the GLA ETDA+DTPA micomix.

 

[hypnogogia]

Thanks for your reply. Can you explain what do you mean by this? The solubility level tells you how close you are to not being able to discover your salts in your chosen quantity of water.

Typo. Discover = dissolve.

Using potassium sulfate because I have a bit left over for my garden project. I was thinking about buying some magnesium sulfate but, since I am using shrimp mineral gh+ to remineralize my water , assumed magnesium will come from that. For Fe, buying the GLA ETDA+DTPA micomix.

Ok. You can also use the calculator to make your own remineraliser at a fraction of the cost.

What are your targets for NPK? Your ratio of K to N seems very high.

 

[tjatx]

I am not sure what my targets should be. 😕 Any recommendations?

Tried to clone APT sky and not sure about the ingredients to get. Should I go with magnesium chloride and calcium nitrate? Should've paid more attention to chemistry when I was in school. 😀

 

[dw1305]

..... Tried to clone APT sky and not sure about the ingredients to get. Should I go with magnesium chloride and calcium nitrate? .....

That would be a mix which you could use as a solution, because all <"nitrate (NO3-) and chloride (Cl-)"> compounds <"are soluble">. People often use magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.7H2O) and calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H2O), but you need to dry dose these, because calcium sulphate (CaSO4.2H2O) has limited solubility.

Fe alone won’t suffice as you need other micro nutrients, so ise CSM+B.

What @hypnogogia says, you need all fourteen of the <"essential plant nutrients">.

Cheers Darrel

 

[tjatx]

People often use magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.7H2O) and calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H2O), but you need to dry dose these, because calcium sulphate (CaSO4.2H2O) has limited solubility.

Thank you, dw1305. I am going to use this mix for my water.

Going back to the fertilizer question, should I just use KNO3 and KH2PO4 so I would have the NPK needed for the plants and then use Magnesium sulfate and calcium chloride for the RO water and that should do it? Just need to buy something for Fe. Since I will be using 100% RO water, is EDTA mix better than CSM+B?

Sorry for all the questions. I appreciate everyone's help. 🙂

 

[hypnogogia]

Going back to the fertilizer question, should I just use KNO3 and KH2PO4 so I would have the NPK needed for the plants and then use Magnesium sulfate and calcium chloride for the RO water and that should do it?

Yes, that will do it.

Just need to buy something for Fe. Since I will be using 100% RO water, is EDTA mix better than CSM+B?

Fe alone won’t suffice as you need other micro nutrients, so use CSM+B.

 

[tjatx]

Fe alone won’t suffice as you need other micro nutrients, so use CSM+B.

Thank you very much.. Is it true that I shouldn't dose macro and micro the same day? I guess something about Fe binding with phosphates?

It was very easy when I had someone else do all the hard work. 🙂

 

[hypnogogia]

Is it true that I shouldn't dose macro and micro the same day? I guess something about Fe binding with phosphates?

You can dose them in the same day as long as you allow a little time between them. A dose macro and micro one hour apart using automatic dosers.

 

[tjatx]

I am even more confused now. Does this look correct? NPK ratio shows 7:1:21. Something seems off.



Also, I may have to buy new fertilizers. I had some KNO3 and K2SO4 unopened in the bag but, it was sitting in the garage without any ventilation for the past couple of years and since temperature can reach over 100°F in the summer, I think it may have gone bad?

 

[tjatx]

Perhaps I am overthinking this a bit and making it more confusing. I think if I stick with KNO3, KH2PO4 and K2SO4, that would cover the macros and it just need to figure out how soon I can get the CSM+B.

 

[tjatx]

Sorry, one last question. What's the main difference between CSM+B and EDTA+DTPA micromix? It seems both have the same ingredients? 😵

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