Simple Macro Mix

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Thanks for the update Kris! You're right on the money with the color / growth and phosphates. This is a 'growth' formula - upping the phosphates will give you better colors for sure.
You can certainly dose it dry or dissolve it JIT. Im starting to notice a little boron deficiency and have started adding some of that to my scheduled dosing - but not ready to share that as ODing it can kill the meristem too. I'll play more with that before sharing my findings there.

[krisw]

Good to know, as I didn't realize it was more for growth... What does a boron deficiency look like? You just upping flourish or actually dosing boron?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

What does a boron deficiency look like?

A mild one will have some distortion in new growth. Very apparent in Ludwigias - esp arcuata and brevipes, where you might see sickle shaped leaves.
In more prominent cases, you'll see death of the meristem.

You know what's fun tho? An OD has the same symptoms

[krisw]

Interesting! Cavan and I have been seeing cases matching this description in our Ludwigia arcuata... Do you just up your Flourish/FlorinMicro or do you have a pure Boron solution?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Pure Boron (Boric acid) solution. I can check my notes and get back to you on dosage etc.

[plant57va]

Ok guys.... been reading and trying to figure out where I can get the ingredients...
I would like to try this on a couple of my tanks, down here in va.
(my well water is low ph,(5.6-6.0) low tds and basically soft water..
Am i missing something, or s there an easy way to get these components?
thanks
david

[krisw]

David, you can order everything from Greenleaf aquariums online.

[plant57va]

thanks
quick response.....
love it!
:0)

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Still not 100% on this so take it easy - but what I've found is that the higher calcium needs higher levels of boron.
A good level is 0.02 ppm.

Basically, take 1.3 grams of H3BO3 (boric acid), dissolve it in 1 liter of water. Take 100 ml of that and mix in 900 ml of water. The resulting solution will have 0.13 grams of boron. Dose per volume of your tank - e.g. if you have a 40 gallon tank, dose 40ml of the solution weekly. If you have a 75, dose 75 ml weekly. That'll give you the 0.02 ppm of B.

Kris - I gave Cavan a lifetime supply of it - otherwise I can bring you some next time I see you. Or you can pick it up from the pharmacy.

[krisw]

Thanks Ghazanfar -- Any worries about mixing the Boron into the nitrate or phosphate solutions? FWIW, I haven't seen the same kind of deficiencies in my 75g...