So the PMDD doses recommended vary from 2 to 40 drops per day for a 54 l
tank?
All I can say is that 4drops/day has not yet allowed measurable iron or
nitrate in the tank.
I'll experiment.
Nick.
"> >
> > Go for 2 ml a day, or 4 ml every 2 days etc etc.
> > --
> > **So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
> >
> > "Nicholas Murray" <arwenick"AT"acay.com.au> wrote in message
> > ...
> > > It seems I should be using 1.5ml/day, according to the Sears/Conlin
> paper.
> > > 30 drops/day ?
> > >
> > > "Allyb" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > I just went through this. Very frustrating. I was way way
> underdosing
> > at
> > > > first. You should use the fertilizer calculator to see how much
> you're
> > > > actually adding to the tank in ppm with the solution you've made.
> > > > http://atlas.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_dosage_calc.htm I just
ran
> > it
> > > at
> > > > 1 tsp KNO3 in 300ml water (per the recipe) and it said that 1ml
would
> > add
> > > > .05ppm nitrates, and you're just adding drops!
> > > > PMDD seems to be adding such a tiny amount, I don't quite understand
> how
> > > > you're supposed to get the levels up. I've made a solution with
just
> > > > nitrates (I use the stump remover). I have a 55 gallon, and I mixed
6
> > > Tbsp
> > > > (6 Tbsps!) with 250 ml of water, which is supposed to be 1.2 ppm per
> ml
> > > > added to the tank. I'm adding 20ml a day just to keep my levels at
> > around
> > > > 5ppm. I need to test the solution to see if it's really as strong
as
> > the
> > > > calculator says it is, I'm suspicious that it's weaker. Anyway,
> > according
> > > > to a poster in this group, a heavily planted aquarium can consume
> 10ppm
> > > per
> > > > day, so at the pmdd rates, you're not even teasing them.
> > > >
> > > > I wish someone else here could explain this. I've often wondered
why
> > the
> > > > recipe seems so weak.
> > > >
> > > > Good luck! Allison
> > > >
> > > > "Rick" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > >
> > > > > "Nicholas Murray" <arwenick"AT"acay.com.au> wrote in message
> > > > > ...
> > > > > > I've set up my planted tank after a hiatus of 3 years and have
> > > forgotten
> > > > > > some basic facts.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 56 l tank
> > > > > > 1W/ l lighting.
> > > > > > DIY CO2 achieving 20ppm.
> > > > > > moderately dense planting with Limnophila sessiflora and unknown
> (to
> > > > me),
> > > > > > medium-sized Echinodorus.
> > > > > > dosing with 4 drops PMDD per day
> > > > > > laterite balls under the swords; coarse gravel substrate.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Plants pearling a lot and growing quite well.
> > > > > > A stable, tiny patch of cyanobacteria (on a plant stem at the
> > surface
> > > > > right
> > > > > > under a light) and a bit more filamentous green algae than I'd
> like.
> > > > Some
> > > > > > BBA fading away. No fish yet.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The NO3 and Fe remain unmeasurable after 2 weeks of this
regimen.
> > What
> > > > > > levels of both of these nutrients are desirable? Anyone want to
> take
> > a
> > > > > stab
> > > > > > at an appropriate PMDD dosing rate?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > > > Nick.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > I think the recommended dose is 2 drops per 10 gallons so you are
in
> > the
> > > > > ball park.
> > > > >
> > > > > Rick
>
>
> from the Krib site, using the Sears and Conlin. I dose 2 drops per 10
> gallons. YMMV
>
> Rick
>
>
> > As a starting point, here's a three point plan for setting PMDD doses.
>
> The amount or "size" in ml (milli-liters) of your daily PMDD dose should
> eventually be governed by monitoring Fe (iron) levels that accumulate and
> equilibrate in your aquarium over a period of time (more on this later).
> But, to get started, for each ten gallons, try around 1/12 ml of PMDD a
day
> (roughly 2 drops). A 29 gallon tank would then get 1/4 ml a day (roughly 6
> drops). If you don't do many partial water changes, dose less. If you have
a
> "high tech", densely planted, CO2 injected, VHO lit tank, you might want
to
> double the dose to 1/6 ml of PMDD per 10 gallons a day (roughly 4 drops).
>
> Most of the PMDD nutrient ratios set by Conlin and Sears will work for a
> variety of conditions. PMDD has been deliberately formulated so that if
> aquarium Fe concentration is proper, other nutrient concentrations should
> fall into place. Really, the only common exception to this is NO3
(nitrate);
> you may need to tinker with the ratio of KNO3 to other PMDD ingredients.
> Adjusting this ratio will eventually be governed by NO3 levels that
> accumulate and equilibrate in your aquarium over a period of time (more on
> this later).
>
> To get started, if you have around 5mg/ltr of natural NO3 already in your
> aquarium, initially use the standard 1 tablespoon KNO3 per 1/2 liter PMDD
> mix.
>
> If your natural NO3 is much higher, initially don't add any KNO3 to your
> PMDD.
>
> If you have next to no NO3, you might initially boost the KNO3 to 2 or
even
> 3 tablespoons per 1/2 liter of PMDD.
>
> Lastly, as you go along, you'll need to monitor buildup of Fe and NO3 in
> your aquarium. Then, watch how plants and unwanted algae respond. As each
> daily dose adds nutrients, a portion of some will accumulate until
> eventually you'll reach an equilibrium level. This ramp up and stabilizing
> process will take awhile (weeks) to occur. Be prepared to adjust your
dosage
> size and KNO3 ratio as you gather feedback.
>
>
> >
>
>