CAL Aqua Ferts

[doylecolmdoyle]

Hi guys, has anyone used CAL Aqua ferts, I have just started using them in 2 newly established tanks, its early days but everything seems ok but i would like to clarify exactly what I am dosing and if anything is missing, growth seems good and no really signs of algae yet apart from diatoms.

The range of cal ferts can be seen here - http://www.calaqualabs.com/Nutrients.html

I am dosing Chrome (essential trace elements plus additional growth enhancers), Shine (Potassium salt and organic acid growth enhancers) and Carbo-L (organic carbon).

Both tanks are about 40ltrs both with injected co2 and medium lighting, plants are fairly simular carpet of MC (from a dry start) some DHG and HG with a range of mosses and some buce plants, both with Aquasoil substrate.

From what I can tell (the Cal Aqua site doesn't exactly say what is in each fertiliser) I have trace / micro dosing covered with the Chrome and Potassium covered with the Shine, I am missing "N" to supply nitrate? or does the Shine fert contain both P and N (in the form of Potassium Nitrate).

If anyone has any previous experience with these ferts would be great to hear from you.

 

[doylecolmdoyle]

I emailed Cal Aqua and received this quick reply:

Hi Colm,
Thank you for your email.
Shine only contains Potassium (K)
Green contains a concentrated solution of Potassium, Nitrogen and microelement mix (Magnesium, small amount of iron, boron, molybdenum, copper and nickel). This is suitable for supplementing high-light tanks, or as a stand alone ferts for low light, low maintenance tanks.
If you dose Green, then you don't have to dose Shine unless you need even more potassium.
Chrome contains microelement mix plus high concentration of iron aimed towards high-light tanks and demanding stem plants.
Best regards,
Poe

So looks like I have Potassium (K) covered with Shine, Iron and Micro's covered with the Chrome. Looks like I will need to dose N and P separately, I have some old seacheam stuff from a previous setup so will supplement with those ferts if needed

 

[doylecolmdoyle]

And after spending the whole evening reading about the EI method I will switch when these liquid ferts run out!