NPK Ratio

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Here's something I worked out.
I've been using this for 3 weeks now - plant
growth has never been better!
Keep in mind - this is assuming a light fish load - and feeding
them lightly.

Research I've done indicates that aquatic plants
need a ratio of 10 : 1 : 10 N : P : K

Using KNO3 and KH2PO4 to acheive a 10:1:10 ratio..

N : P 10:1 ratio

Let's see how this translates to a NO3 : PO4
ratio

5 ppm NO3 (1.14 ppm N) : 0.35 PO4 (0.114 ppm P)

If you're using KNO3 as your primary source of
N, for 1.14 ppm of N - you're already adding
in 3.15 ppm of K. So K is already in excess if
using KNO3 as Nitrogen source. That's ok, a little
excess of K doesn't do anything. Plus it's good
to have a little extra K for the plants that
use it more (Hygro).

5 ppm NO3
3.15 ppm K
0.35 ppm PO4

Assuming there is no other source of N
Assuming there is no other source of K
Assuming there is no other source of P

Using KNO3 & KH2PO4

For KNO3 stock solution
3 tsp KNO3 (16.8 grams)
250ml distilled water
Each ml will give you 1.09 ppm Nitrates in 10G of aquarium water


For KH2PO4 stock solution
1 tsp KH2PO4 (9.6 grams)
250ml distilled water
Each ml will give you approx 0.36 ppm Phosphates in 10G of aquarium water

You're already getting enough K from KNO3 for a 10:1:10 ratio

4.5 ml of the Nitrate solution will give you
5 ppm of NO3 in 10G of water

1 ml of the Phosphate solution will give you
0.36 ppm ppm of PO4 in 10G of water

Keep in mind, this is assuming you have a light
fish load and feed sparingly.

[Rick Dotson]

What trace mix did you use and how do ratio the trace to this mix?

Would you try to dose trace based on the value of iron in the water? I have had trouble getting accurate iron readings with most of the inexpensive kits available.

Thanks for working out the values for the macro-nutrients.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

I'm using Plantex CSM I think. The amount really
needs to be worked out according to how your plants
are responding. Keep it on the lower side and watch
your plants - especially Fe indicator plants (frogbit works well - also pearlweed). If you need more iron,
add more trace mix in.

[Howard]

For proper dosing does anyone know the weight of plantex trace in mg? my goal is this.

[Jonathan Kalmes]

Ack... help!

I got Rick's batch of PMDD chems today at the meeting. Unfortunately, it doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't seem to match the instructions on the bag either.

I have:
Potassium Nitrate (KNO3?)
Trace (Plantex CSM?)
Monopotassium Phosphate (MKP?)
Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4?)

That's it. Those are my four labelled bags of stuff.

The instructions on the bag say I need Plantex, K2SO4, KNO3 and MgSO4+7H2O. I have no clue what that last one is! Looks like Magnessiumsomethingorother to me, which I don't have. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">

But... this is totally different from what Ghazanfar told me, as far as I can tell. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley24.gif" border="0">

Help, what can I do with this stuff, are my chemical notations correct for the names, and how much of each do I mix with how much water?

By the way... there are some subjects I at least have a basic understanding of, but chemistry ain't one of them. If you plan to reply with chemical notation, please at least once indicate what the regular name is so I can at least follow along.

[SCMurphy]

[QUOTE=Jonathan Kalmes]
The instructions on the bag say I need Plantex, K2SO4, KNO3 and MgSO4+7H2O. I have no clue what that last one is! Looks like Magnessiumsomethingorother to me, which I don't have. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">
[/QUOTE]

Epsom salts, there isn't any magnesium in Plantex. Any store with an Health and Beauty isle will have epsom salts.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Use the Trace, KNO3 and KH2PO4 (MonoPottasiumPhosphate)
for the liquidoser recipe I gave you.

[Archie]

MgSO4 is magnesium sulfate.
Does the plantex have boron in it? I seem to remember needing an outside source for boron, but wasn't sure the best form for mixing with the PMDD...how important is boron anyway?

[Jamie G]

ok, im lost now .. what the "K" again ?

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

K is Potassium