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Re: KNO3 question
>Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 22:10:30 -0500
>From: Craig T Wuepper <cwuepp at juno_com>
>
>I'm considering dosing KNO3 for the first time. I've been using Dupla
>base every water change and Dupla24 daily but I still think that I have
>nutrient deficiencies. My Nitrate levels are low, around 1 ppm, and the
>tank is missing the lush green colors that I want. My amazon sword and my
>crypts are developing irregular, wavy, asymetircal new leaves.
>
>My CO2 level is around 15-20 mg/L, KH: 5. GH is middle of the road, around
8 somewhere, although I don't have an
>accurate test kit for that yet. 29 gal tank, 60W
>
>My two main questions are these:
>
>What's up with the Dupla fertilizers?
Good stuff, if you can get it.
>Does anyone know if there is a
>nitrate or K source in there already?
No nitrates or phosphates, thank goodness. Duplaplant tablets have plenty of
potassium.
>If so, what do you think about
>dosing KNO3 while using the Dupla regiment? Some general comments about
>KNO3 dosing would be appreciated.
If you're using Dupla products *as recommended* and have decent GH and KH
and have reasonable nitrates, you should not have nutrient deficiencies.
Your nitrates are low as you surmised. Add more fish or fish food or do less
water changes. KNO3 probably wouldn't hurt and would give you nitrates, but
it shouldn't be needed.
>Also, It was suggested to me to experiment with MgSO4. Could anyone
>comment on Magnesium in general and it's importance in planted tanks?
Magnesium is a required nutrient. It should be in a Ca/Mg ratio of 3:1 or
4:1. Measuring the amount you have might be the best prelude to
experimenting. LaMotte makes a swell hardness test kit to determine both Ca
and Mg.
George Booth in Ft. Collins, CO (booth at frii dot com)
The web site for Aquatic Gardeners by Aquatic Gardeners
http://www.frii.com/~booth/AquaticConcepts/