Plant only filtration (why not popular in the hobby???)

[JamesF]

Those are the macro elements.
One thing you have to remember is that certain elements can't be utilized without others present. Nitrate and phosphorous are the best example. You can have tons of nitrate, but if you don't have any phosphate, the plants have difficulty using it.
Potassium is very to test for wether it needs to be added. Small holes in the leaves are signs of potassium deficiency.

 

[apriliarider15]

. Small holes in the leaves are signs of potassium deficiency.

Yes in aquatic plants will show holes however terrestrial plants will yellow or brown and start curling. BillyBlanco yes Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are the macro nutrients that plants use. Nitrogen and Phosphorus will be supplied by fish waste however Potassium won't be supplied unless you add it. Most micros can be found in tap water. No JamesF Potassium is not easy to test. Any test kit out there is way too inaccurate to be used for the small amount we will have in the aquarium.

 

[JamesF]

I wasn't talking about using a test kit. The plants are all you need. They'll happily tell you what is missing.

 

[andyroo]

what, by text-message?

 

[apriliarider15]

I re-read what I posted earlier it should be 1 and 1/4 teaspoon per 50 gallons. Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[carsona246]

ok thanks for the info, I've actually had some lily leaf's yellow and die, but i have so many I wasn't exactly concerned, I might start adding potassium, I have a ton of dry ferts leftover from my planted tank attempt

 

[BillyBlanco]

I re-read what I posted earlier it should be 1 and 1/4 teaspoon per 50 gallons. Sorry for the misinformation.

ugh, so for 90g? I'm so bad with spoons.... lol

 

[apriliarider15]

ugh, so for 90g? I'm so bad with spoons.... lol

If you want with 2 1/2 teaspoons just to make it easy on yourself it would give you 23 ppm. After the initial dose you only want to use the amount for the water you replace in a water change. Example if you do a 50% water change you want to add 1 1/4 teaspoons back in.

 

[BillyBlanco]

cool, thnks man I'm gonna go buy some no-salt today. planted my tank with some hardy plants that might work with cichlids. Anubias and Java fern attached to driftwood and rocks. Water lettuce and Hornwort floating. I rolled the dice on Amazon Sword and Onion. Synodontis and baby festae are eating the sword and leaving the others alone for now.

 

[BillyBlanco]

Man, this Mint plant is growing like a WEED putting the Porthos to SHAME!