Watching nutrient levels

In article .com,
I3 I L L wrote:
I use distilled water because the tap water is ridiculously high in
phosphates. So I guess I would have to add all the compounds since
there's not any nutrients in the water I'm adding.

You use nothing but distilled water? I'm shocked anything is still
alive.


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LOL, Of course I add nutrients. I use flourish and iron tabs to
fertilize. I also have pressurized co2 running.

In article .com,
I3 I L L wrote:
LOL, Of course I add nutrients. I use flourish and iron tabs to
fertilize. I also have pressurized co2 running.

Yeah but with nothing to buffer the pH I'm surprised it doesn't
turn into an acidic bubbling mess.

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"I3 I L L" wrote in message
oups.com...
LOL, Of course I add nutrients. I use flourish and iron tabs to
fertilize. I also have pressurized co2 running.

For health plants you"ll need some gH (Ca, Mg) and carbonates & such (kH).
I suspect just adding the right mix of nitrates, potassium and traces plus a
low phosphate fish food would have you doing great. I used to mix R/O and
tap water to bring my water down for my angels and such but moved so now I
fight low kH and low mg. Easier than having to add everything.

Believe it or not there are people out there adding phosphate to balance
their tanks. Even with my fish loads I have to add nitrates to keep the
jungle. I just figured out my tank was Potassium limited. BY adding that I
dopubled the health and size of my Vals. One of these days I'll have to try
adding potash and see what happens.

What is your gH and kH?

Bob

Well you still need some PO4, K+ and NO3.
GH sounds fine.

You can add lots and lots of PO4 ansd have great pl;ant growth, PO4 is
not the issue that causes algae in planted tanks.
Tap water with 1-2ppm ranges are great, then you don't need to add
KH2PO4.

Regards,
Tom Barr