A
Anonymous
Guest
Hi all,
Thought I might share with you my recent observations about BGA and KNO3 dosing.
Ive always dosed kno3 fairly high, probably higher than some would agree with. Approx 50ppm. I use James's calculator to rougly work out the dosage and added my mix 3 times a week. However I have always got a small bite of BGA on the substrate surface which I had to hoover out fairly regularly to keep in check.
Now BGA is related to Poor nitrate levels, yes? I'm thinking how could I be getting BGA? I keep my tank clean, the filter is way too big, flow is excellent,(in my oppinion). Co2 Is also pretty good with the Up atomizer in a small tank. Livestock levels are low though. And Lighting is low. I use High tech low light method.
Anyway, I upped the dosage by sticking with the same amounts added but with more kno3. That gives about 70ppm. Way too much right? Problem persisted, didnt think too much more about it. Finally got fed up with it and decided to dump the entire weeks supply in right after the water change, (I might have been drunk at the time.) then added some more midway through the week. That was the last time I had BGA problems, it disappeared that week without me having to remove it, it has not come back. I also had Co2 bubbles collecting on the surface, that stopped too. That was a month ago. Now I add 2 doses after the water change then one mid week. Totals about 80 ppm. No problems with shrimp or fish, but I dont keep sensitive varieties.
I'm not suggesting, that everyone try this, I'm simply making the point that my own dogmatic approach to dosing ferts probably led to this problem in the first place, I'm adding the ferts but I was not believing the evidence that was in front of my own eyes!
By the way, I'm not doubting the calculator, So dont flame me for that.
Thought I might share with you my recent observations about BGA and KNO3 dosing.
Ive always dosed kno3 fairly high, probably higher than some would agree with. Approx 50ppm. I use James's calculator to rougly work out the dosage and added my mix 3 times a week. However I have always got a small bite of BGA on the substrate surface which I had to hoover out fairly regularly to keep in check.
Now BGA is related to Poor nitrate levels, yes? I'm thinking how could I be getting BGA? I keep my tank clean, the filter is way too big, flow is excellent,(in my oppinion). Co2 Is also pretty good with the Up atomizer in a small tank. Livestock levels are low though. And Lighting is low. I use High tech low light method.
Anyway, I upped the dosage by sticking with the same amounts added but with more kno3. That gives about 70ppm. Way too much right? Problem persisted, didnt think too much more about it. Finally got fed up with it and decided to dump the entire weeks supply in right after the water change, (I might have been drunk at the time.) then added some more midway through the week. That was the last time I had BGA problems, it disappeared that week without me having to remove it, it has not come back. I also had Co2 bubbles collecting on the surface, that stopped too. That was a month ago. Now I add 2 doses after the water change then one mid week. Totals about 80 ppm. No problems with shrimp or fish, but I dont keep sensitive varieties.
I'm not suggesting, that everyone try this, I'm simply making the point that my own dogmatic approach to dosing ferts probably led to this problem in the first place, I'm adding the ferts but I was not believing the evidence that was in front of my own eyes!
By the way, I'm not doubting the calculator, So dont flame me for that.