low light dosing question - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

oldpunk · 09-20-2009, 08:24 PM

i have a question regarding dosing a low tech tank. the tank in question is a 50 gallon mineralized topsoil tank. i know folks say you don't need to be dosing a new MS tank but i don't know... at least for mine. after doing some reading i've figured out that i really didn't mineralize my soil enough(only let dry twice). i figured this wouldn't really be an issue since the tank is low tech in nature and the nutrient draw probably wouldn't be that great.

so even if "i" don't need to be dosing i still have a question:

fallowing tom barr's advice, he recommends 1/4 tsp. micros, 1/8 tsp. KNO3, and 1/32 tsp. KH2P04 per 20 gallons once a week. this is based on the fish load giving the plants something like 70-80% of the nutrients they need.

what if you don't have/want a full fish load? i only plan on having 2-3 angels and a couple of otos. does this boil down to identifying deficiencies and responding with the proper dosing? and if so, how can i learn to get good at spotting/treating deficiencies?

CL · 09-20-2009, 08:52 PM

All that mineralizing does is break down the organics, since yours may not be mineralized all the way, there may be some extra ammonia and stuff in it, which would make it that much more rich for the plants.
I think, I haven't really done enough reading on the subject to be able to say.

oldpunk · 09-21-2009, 07:52 PM

Aquazilla, what's your take on this?

AquaZilla · 09-21-2009, 08:01 PM

I do not dose my mineralized soil tanks. I know of folks who have mineralized soil tanks that are 10 years old and still do not dose..

No dosing in these pics!

oldpunk · 09-21-2009, 08:15 PM

well then, hahaha.

i couldn't help but notice that those pics all contain large portions of 'rooted in the substrate plants'.

i'd have to say 90% of my plant mass has no roots in the substrate(anubias, ferns, ect.). is the MS's nutrients making it's way into the water column? (not trying to argue here, i just wanted to make sure i'm not starving my tank.)

AquaZilla · 09-21-2009, 08:19 PM

I would say very little. But if your soil is not completely mineralized then yes..

Why have mineralized soil if you have no rooted plants? Quartz gravel would have been just fine. Dose PPS-Pro and you should be good

oldpunk · 09-21-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Why have mineralized soil if you have no rooted plants? Quartz gravel would have been just fine.

well, that's a good question. i hadn't originally planned on the mineralized soil, it was sort of one of those last minute 'why not' moments. i knew i was going to have some crypts and figured i didn't want to mess around with root tabs. i guess i just thought that i'd be better off having something in there, lol.

it was the day after i filled my tank that i realized what i had done with the under mineralizing. (face palm!) so i guess we'll see how combining the walstad, barr, and mineralized topsoil methods work out for my low tech tank.

AquaZilla · 09-21-2009, 08:40 PM

I think your ferns and anubias will be fine. I have seen these plants grow just fine in buckets with minimal light. They may not grow fast, but they are strong plants that hold there own just fine.

Keep an eye on them, if you see a sign of deficiency correct them with the proper elements

I dont see why that would not work..

I dont see any real reason to dose EI though with this tank. It would just be a waste of good salt..

oldpunk · 09-21-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

I dont see any real reason to dose EI though with this tank. It would just be a waste of good salt..

i wasn't referring to EI dosing. i meant his low tech approach.

AquaZilla · 09-21-2009, 08:45 PM

Yeah, that would work great. I would keep a good set of test kits on hand to help target weekly levels. That should work fine..

09-20-2009, 08:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
oldpunk Planted Tank Guru Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 200	low light dosing question i have a question regarding dosing a low tech tank. the tank in question is a 50 gallon mineralized topsoil tank. i know folks say you don't need to be dosing a new MS tank but i don't know... at least for mine. after doing some reading i've figured out that i really didn't mineralize my soil enough(only let dry twice). i figured this wouldn't really be an issue since the tank is low tech in nature and the nutrient draw probably wouldn't be that great. so even if "i" don't need to be dosing i still have a question: fallowing tom barr's advice, he recommends 1/4 tsp. micros, 1/8 tsp. KNO3, and 1/32 tsp. KH2P04 per 20 gallons once a week. this is based on the fish load giving the plants something like 70-80% of the nutrients they need. what if you don't have/want a full fish load? i only plan on having 2-3 angels and a couple of otos. does this boil down to identifying deficiencies and responding with the proper dosing? and if so, how can i learn to get good at spotting/treating deficiencies? Last edited by oldpunk; 09-21-2009 at 06:59 PM.

09-21-2009, 08:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
oldpunk Planted Tank Guru Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 200	well then, hahaha. i couldn't help but notice that those pics all contain large portions of 'rooted in the substrate plants'. i'd have to say 90% of my plant mass has no roots in the substrate(anubias, ferns, ect.). is the MS's nutrients making it's way into the water column? (not trying to argue here, i just wanted to make sure i'm not starving my tank.) Last edited by oldpunk; 09-21-2009 at 11:23 PM.

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09-20-2009, 08:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
CL Aspiring Aquascaper Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 603	All that mineralizing does is break down the organics, since yours may not be mineralized all the way, there may be some extra ammonia and stuff in it, which would make it that much more rich for the plants. I think, I haven't really done enough reading on the subject to be able to say.

09-21-2009, 07:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
oldpunk Planted Tank Guru Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 200	Aquazilla, what's your take on this?

09-21-2009, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I do not dose my mineralized soil tanks. I know of folks who have mineralized soil tanks that are 10 years old and still do not dose.. No dosing in these pics!

09-21-2009, 08:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I would say very little. But if your soil is not completely mineralized then yes.. Why have mineralized soil if you have no rooted plants? Quartz gravel would have been just fine. Dose PPS-Pro and you should be good

09-21-2009, 08:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I think your ferns and anubias will be fine. I have seen these plants grow just fine in buckets with minimal light. They may not grow fast, but they are strong plants that hold there own just fine. Keep an eye on them, if you see a sign of deficiency correct them with the proper elements I dont see why that would not work.. I dont see any real reason to dose EI though with this tank. It would just be a waste of good salt..

09-21-2009, 08:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Yeah, that would work great. I would keep a good set of test kits on hand to help target weekly levels. That should work fine..