Wookii
Member
I've never been able to find an accurate explanation for this.
I understand the need to store concentrated micro and macro mixes separately to try and avoid the iron and phosphate reaction and resulting precipitation (though of course there are techniques for AIO solutions that we are all aware of), but when dosing EI, there will (or should) always be a prevailing levels of PO4 in the water column, so why does it make any difference if we dose micros and macros on alternate days, vs everyday at half the alternate day dose?
I've read some people say that the iron/phosphate reaction can occur at tank level concentrations, and others say that is nonsense and in tank concentrations are too low for that to happen on any problematic scale. Even then, if the reaction does occur in tank, is that not an argument for ensuring each is topped up daily?
I appreciate it might be wise to wait an hour or so between the doses to allow thorough mixing of the first dose with the aquarium water, so does the alternate day dosing really just stem from convenience for manual dosing?
If so, as we are now in a world where electronic dosers are available to the masses for reasonable cost, would timed daily dosing not create better in tank stability than the alternate day dosing?
I understand the need to store concentrated micro and macro mixes separately to try and avoid the iron and phosphate reaction and resulting precipitation (though of course there are techniques for AIO solutions that we are all aware of), but when dosing EI, there will (or should) always be a prevailing levels of PO4 in the water column, so why does it make any difference if we dose micros and macros on alternate days, vs everyday at half the alternate day dose?
I've read some people say that the iron/phosphate reaction can occur at tank level concentrations, and others say that is nonsense and in tank concentrations are too low for that to happen on any problematic scale. Even then, if the reaction does occur in tank, is that not an argument for ensuring each is topped up daily?
I appreciate it might be wise to wait an hour or so between the doses to allow thorough mixing of the first dose with the aquarium water, so does the alternate day dosing really just stem from convenience for manual dosing?
If so, as we are now in a world where electronic dosers are available to the masses for reasonable cost, would timed daily dosing not create better in tank stability than the alternate day dosing?
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