The easy method of dosing EI means no measuring, just dose KNO3 and KH2PO4 every M/W/F and do a large water change on Sun. But I've been testing my N & P levels before dosing, and have been finding them to be within the target parameters, 10-20 ppm and 1.0 - 2.0 ppm. Since my N & P test good...

LEDs are just another form of artifical light. The benefits are that they last a long time, supposedly 40,000 to 50,000 hours, so there is no need to keep buying replacement bulbs. I would like to see warranties that reflect those claims, since they seem to be charging a premium for it. Also, LEDs a...

Chris, I tested my tap water, it looked to be about 10ppm for nitrates. I've quit testing for my water for now, and continue to dose EI method, 3/8 tsp KNO3 and 1/8 tsp KH2PO4 three times a week. My algae problems seem to be diminishing, but not completely. I think my biggest issue right now is too ...

they're pretty old, 3-5 years old I'd guess.

I've been testing my NO3, and PO4 daily since last week, since the levels were high, I did not dose on Friday. Today, I did a pwc of ~ 70% and did not add any ferts. NO3 tested at ~20ppm and PO4 tested at ~ 2.0. At the top of the ranges I want to be in. I have the basic API test kits. I changed out ...

My 75G has been sitting empty for several months. When I emptied it, I neglected to empty out my Filstar XP3 filter. So today I decided I needed to do it and whoa the stink that was in that thing. It's clean now, but it was putrid smelling to say the least. I clean my Filstars once a month, I wish i...

The only thing I will be changing is my dosing of macros. I will be monitoring and recording my dosing levels and test results for a while. Going lean makes sense to me because a 50G tank doesn't hold 50 gallons of water as the name implies, plus substrate and hardscape displace area that would othe...

Kris , thanks for responding. I have been so depressed over the condition of my tanks lately. I clean my filter once a month, it's a Filstar XP2. Hopefully with the new bulbs I ordered, and new dosing regime (EI), I will see a turn around in the condition of my plants or more precisely, the algaes s...

thanks Cristy, I ordered the new bulbs today. I hope your right. I believe I need to address the levels of N and P also. What else causes the excess phosphates? decomposing fish food, or plants?

Sorry for the lengthy post. I usually try to keep them pithy. I've been dosing ferts using PPS Pro because of it's simplicity, one bottle for micros, and one for macros, 1 ml per 10 gallons, easy. 50% water changes weekly to reset things. But now after running CO2 again for the last 2 months, I am s...