> Appendix A - Fertilizer Recipe (Poor Man's Dupla Drops)
>
> 1 Tbsp (~9g) Chelated Trace Element Mix (7% Fe, 1.3% B, 2% Mn, 0.06% Mo,
> 0.4% Zn, 0.1% Cu, EDTA, DTPA)
> 2 Tsp (~14g) K2SO4 (potassium sulfate)
> 1 Tsp (~6g) KNO3 (potassium nitrate)
> 2.5 Tbsp (~33g) MgSO4.7H2O (fully hydrated magnesium sulfate, aka epsom
> salts; omit if already present in trace element mix)
> 300mL distilled H2O
> 0.5mL 9M HCl (optional)
If you live for soft water you will have to suplement
with Ca too. Most chelates exchange their cargo for
another dicationic ion such as Ca. I would also try to
avoid the KNO3 and K2SO4 and obtain K2O.
The HCL is there to reduce the pH of the solution. YOu
will need a pH meter when preparing this mixture so you
can be certain the pH is around 7 (+/-1)
Most tanks rarely have a shortage of nitrates and
sulphates as well as phosphates. All these anions are
excreted by the fish or are by-products. Ideally you
want the plants to take up the excess nutrients rather
than have to add extra nutrients.
Bye
Tyrone Genade
tyronegenade at yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/tyronegenade
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P450 Lab, Biochemistry Department
University of Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Ph: +27-021-808-5876, fax: +27-021-808-5863
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"No, the LORD has told us what is good. What He requires
of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love,
and to live in humble fellowship with our GOD."
Micah 6:8