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Reborn

Yesterday when I laid out the Step1 and K (5pumps) I saw the monte carlo to do perling and the stem plants and anubias as well.

I know the water has PH 7 but the NO3 and the PO4 I think were always zero or close to that.

Couple of clues there I think buddy. Can't remember it off the top of my head but there's a law with plants. Plants will need All the traces, potassium, magnesium, Nitrate and Phosphate. Take any one of these away and it deesn't really matter what else you are dosing. Soon as one is missing the plant will fail and show deficiency as it needs them all for photosynthesis. I don't think there's any stage in the plants life when it doesn't need all of them regardless of what stage your tank is at.

ADA supply these through the substrate then compliment the others through the stuff in the bottles. Right now I don't think you are giving them anything so I would go ahead and get on with the dosing and make sure you are providing all of the above. Once you provide all of the above there's only co2 and flow left to worry about. Not sure what your fear of adding them is right now, obviously the plants are lacking something and not adding anything is going to cause more problems than it's going to solve.

The worst thing you can do right now is nothing at all.
 
The seller said that during the first 3 months it would not be necessary to fertilize because the substrate would give the plants what they need. I just think it's strange the plants are deprived at this point. Okay, it may be an adaptation period, but it's pretty weird.
I need to get the tests on Wednesday. I'm fertilizing with Step1 and K tomorrow.

Lets see.
Hi
As I said before I have been in your situation and tbh I had exactly the same thoughts as U have atm.Nutrients ,fertilisers....posting on different forums looking for answer
In new tank there are complex microbal colonies that need to establish and various chemical processes that will take place.In order that to happen it takes a little time and good oxygen levels.Its good that U change water frequently.Keep doing that clean the dead bits and make sure U have good oxygen levels.I have used the ada fertiliser system too when I had the problem along with Tropica specialised at full dose ( macros)that didn't make any difference what so ever to the melting so I stopped the Tropica..When plants are having nutrient deficiencies they just dont melt with that speed unless is CO2 shock.If is nutrient related it will show in the other fast growing stems at a much faster rate.
I will start dosing the Step1 and brighty K as U plan even trow 1/2 the dose of the special lights (Maros) if U wish it wont hurt anything than your wallet.That is for your own peace of mind.
I have started quite a few tanks with sand lately.No ammonia in it to start the cycle just plants and a little ferts now and then sometimes even no ferts and things are happening for me.Its not the first time that I see carpeting plants strugling in new tank.I bet U any money if U give it 4-6 weeks and try them again when your cycle is working and there is loads bacteria development in the substrate you will have no issues with them.I dont have the scientific mind and background to explain this better Im affraid.I just know that my melt stopped in 24h after adding the airstone and from few strands of HC left out of 4 pots I got a nice thick carpet in few weeks.
Regards Konsa
 
Just to add, if you'd used ADA substrate then we would be having a different conversation right now. ADA have a holistic approach so you buy all their stuff to compliment each other but without the substrate there's a major part of their approach missing. You can of course buy all the above in one bottle but that's another story.
 
I will continue to dose Step1 and K.
Tomorrow I already have the PH, KNO3 and PO4 tests. So I take my doubts about my water and the aquarium water.
I made a 60% water change yesterday. and tomorrow I will have to do another one, so before I do the TPA I will do the tests to certify the nutrients.

Because all the material that the aquarium has was to be much better CO2 and Light are not lacking in this aquarium. So what can be is lack of nutrients and how plants are in adaptation can not recover because they have no nutrients for this. Then they melt and die.

Thank you buddy
 
I mean, I'm going to use the fertilizers I have here, and when I'm done, I'm going to use Seachem Advance or use the powders. But for that I'm going to need the tests.
 
Hi
Why dont U trow few pics of your tank just to see what is exactly going on.Dont be shy:))
Regards Konsa
 
your cycle is working and there is loads bacteria development in the substrate you will have no issues with them.I dont have the scientific mind and background to explain this better Im affraid

@dw1305 touched on this earlier in a different post mate, I think you were there? Which may explain what you're talking about...

In the substrate you can get reducing conditions, under which the iron will become available again as ferrous (Fe++) ions. For this iron to be plant available we really need the Fe++ ions to be in the fluctuating zones of REDOX around the root rhizosphere, where uptake may be dependent on the interaction between the plant and the substrate microbiota.
 
or use the powders. But for that I'm going to need the tests.

Do that, apart from you need the tests bit. Once you've used up your ADA stuff mix the salts at the recommended EI values and either dose the top end and work back until you see a negative impact or start at somewhere in between the lower end and work up with the dose if you see problems. Just don't turn that light up until things have settled ;)
 
Hi
Yes Darrels posts though me loads about plants and that running a planted tank is not only pounding fertilisers and CO2 in.
Regards Konsa
 
Yes Darrels posts though me loads about plants and that running a planted tank is not only pounding fertilisers and CO2 in.

Amen brother.
 
Yes, I'll do just that. I think that if I postpone things much more, it is very probable that I will lose most of the plants.
 
Keep the co2 right and good flow. While the plants adapt and you have no fish you can crank it up. Fast growing stems will suck the co2 out the water under high lighting and right now they need as much co2 as they can get their hands on down at that carpet. The ferts are the easy bit although it doesn't feel like it right now. You have everything you need though to turn that around :thumbup:
 
Good thing about that substrate is it seems to have a high CEC value so any excess nutrients will soak up in there for later use when the plant roots need it.
 
Hi Fabio
I found few pics of my tank I am talking about.Just to see how bad it was and how it went.Hope it will hepl U so not to stress too much obout yours.Its 3-4 weeks between bad and good pics.
qz23av.jpg
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Some pics:
I will fert with Step1 and K for now. 6pumps and wait a little more.
 

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Hi
It is not ideal but I dont really see anything dramatic going on.Let the plants establish for few weeks without changing too many things(light especially) all the time and keep changing water to keep algae at bay.
Keep the updates comming.
Regards Konsa
 
Hi all

I will wait for start fert. but tell me.
This is correct?
 

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