I have never used so much potassium and observed no deficiency while using the Tropica clone. I do not understand why potassium and phosphate are so high.
Is that bad, then? Or just out of normal balance for pre-mixed ferts?
Is that bad, then? Or just out of normal balance for pre-mixed ferts?
It's a proprietary formula, namely the "Capstone formula", whatever that means. Beyond this, it is well known that 2HrsAquarist fertilizers limit N in order to increase plant coloration. This is one of their selling arguments. It is assumed when using APT fertilizers you are also using a rich substrate wich contains enough N. Limiting N also potentially decreases algea development.Well, not bad per se, but I am surprised potassium (K) is so high compared to N. Phosphorus also is high compared to N. I am talking about APT Complete and APT EI. And it's strange that N is so low, considering it is the main macro element, which should be at least 2-3 times higher than phosphorus. If I had to use one of those fertilizers, I'd add some nitrogen from other sources (either from the substrate or other liquid fertilizer)
It's a proprietary formula, namely the "Capstone formula", whatever that means. Beyond this, it is well know that 2HrsAquarist fertilizers limit N in order to increase plant coloration. This is one of their selling arguments. It is assumed when using APT fertilizers you are also using a rich substrate wich contains enough N. Limiting N also potentially decreases algea development.
Not to enter into a fert debate, but there is no one-fit-all fert formula. They all have their pro & cons. Some people like to prioratize coloration over growth speed, and some other growth over coloration. I understand both approaches and have experienced boths. They both work fine and have different outcomes. The important thing with N-limiting ferts in the water column is that one needs to have a rich substrate and make sure you fertilize your substrate after a couple of months in order not to run into N deciciences, which yes can mess things up if you don't.That's a BIG trap. Never limit nutrients. That's hard to handle, and you may easily end up creating the problem you were trying to avoid in the first place.
Not to enter into a fert debate, but there is no one-fit-all fert formula. They all have their pro & cons. Some people like to prioratize coloration over growth speed, and some other growth over coloration. I understand both approaches and have experienced boths. They both work fine and have different outcomes. The important thing with N-limiting ferts in the water column is that one needs to have a rich substrate and make sure you fertilize your substrate after a couple of months in order not to run into N deciciences, which yes can mess things up if you don't.
but I am surprised potassium (K) is so high compared to N. Phosphorus also is high compared to N. I am talking about APT Complete and APT EI. And it's strange that N is so low, considering it is the main macro element, which should be at least 2-3 times higher than phosphorus.
I think they must have invented it. There is a "capstone course" one that allows students to demonstrate expertise in their subject area, so maybe it is meant to imply expertise in fertiliser formulation?It's a proprietary formula, namely the "Capstone formula", whatever that means.
This gets a mention in <"What is the “Duckweed Index” all about?"> - <"How to make red root floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans) redder?">Beyond this, it is well know that 2HrsAquarist fertilizers limit N in order to increase plant coloration. This is one of their selling arguments.
It isn't an <"attempt to mislead">, agricultural fertiliser are legally required quote the values of potassium (K) etc. as their oxides. It is <"an historical artefact"> from when potassium fertilisers were derived from <"potash"> etc.Looking at the 2hrs Aquarist website guaranteed analysis % values, they are being reported/expressed as oxydes: P2O5, K2O and MgO. This would require a convertion in order to obtain P, K and Mg. This is what we have done for all the fertilizers in the IFC Calculator whenever a manufacturer reported the values as oxydes. The idea being that we are as close as possible to what they say. This does not mean it is more accurate because the manufacturer could very well be intentionnaly misleading people in order to prevent/limit cloning of their products
To convert P2O5 to P you multiply by 0.436.
If you want to know how much PO4--- that is, it is bit more complicated because you need to know the percentage of P in P2O5 (43.7) and the percentage of P in PO4 (32.6), the divide 43.7/32.6 = 1.34, so 10 mg/L P2O5 = 13.4 mg/L PO4, to go the other way around PO4 to P2O5 its 32.6/43.7 to give you multiply by 0.747.
Potassium (K) from potassium oxide (K2O) is fairly straight forward, just multiply by 0.83 to give the value
I'd just use @Happi 's <"Solufeed 2:1:4 and Solufeed Sodium Free TEC or Solufeed Coir TEC Combination"> mix. This is what I do, but with the <"Duckweed Index">, rather than adding a set amount weekly.I dont use C02, and have easy plants - but even so, it seems I may need to re-think my Fert strategy.
I think so too. It sounds neerdy so people get attracted by it!I think they must have invented it. There is a "capstone course" one that allows students to demonstrate expertise in their subject area, so maybe it is meant to imply expertise in fertiliser formulation?
I am aware of this, but while doing the IFC Calculator we have seen how in some instances some manufacturers sometime either are conveniently unaware of this or turned things in a way that is confusing to the user. In the case of 2hr Aquarist since they are now reporting the oxydes (P2O5, K2O and MgO) it is important to then convert them which is what I did.It isn't an <"attempt to mislead">, agricultural fertiliser are legally required quote the values of potassium (K) etc. as their oxides.
I fully agree, it would make much more sense to quote everything as the elemental concentration, there is no ambiguity then...... but while doing the IFC Calculator we have seen how in some instances some manufacturers sometime either are conveniently unaware of this or turned things in a way that is confusing to the user. In the case of 2hr Aquarist since they are now reporting the oxydes (P2O5, K2O and MgO) it is important to then convert them which is what I did.