The Most In-Depth and Cheap Aquarium Fertilizer - Estimative Index: E.I. Dosing - Fertilizer 101
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- čas přidán 8. 05. 2020
- Originated by Tom Barr, the E.I. Method, or Estimative Index, is one of, if not the most complete and potentially complicated way to fertilize your aquarium, but it can also be the most cost effective fertilizer regime out there. Let's look at what it is, the pros and cons, and whether this method is right for you on Fertilizer 101
Want to try this method out for yourself, here's a quick link to the powdered fertilizers from NilocG: amzn.to/2LcalqM (paid link)
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Reading about EI on forums had me worried. I was relieved when I saw you had a video on the subject
Thanks Bentley I've been waiting for this one. I started this method about 2 months ago and it's great. I also switched from LEDs to t5ho and I'm loving that too. All the tanks I lusted over had this setup so I'm trying to copy their look. It's very difficult and time consuming but its totally worth it at the end of EVERY day. So satisfying. I really appreciate your time going into teaching us this stuff. Thanks again.
Great stuff as always bro!
Cheers Bentley, love these vids mate 🌱
Interesting that you mentioned Greg Sage and his RapidGrow fertilizer. I started using his product about 7 months ago, roughly following his suggested dosing instructions which are simple and easy.
While the plants were already growing fairly well, I consider the fertilizer results to be extremely good, based on 3 aquaria and about a dozen species of aquatic plants, and have not had any issues with algae. Lighting is mostly NICREW SkyLED+, with no CO2.
So, I consider it to be more than adequate for probably 85% of hobbyists growing relatively easy to grow plants, at an extremely good price point.
I have no experience with high tech planted tanks...
Appreciate your feedback on his fertilizer!
NIce finally getting started with the ferts have everything setup just needed to make sure I knew how it all works
Very informative thank you Bentley 👍👍
This is very interesting thanks for the video.
Great video ! Thank you
Thanks for sharing! Love your videos!-Little Bobby
Very handy video, thanks. You also managed to convinced me I want to stick with Easy Green. :)
Hi Bentley another great video. I’ve been using dry ferts for years now it’s a great way to learn about your plants it forces you to study there health and make changes where necessary. And with a bit more know how it’s very easy to get the chemical which allows you to mix your micros and macros together into one solution. Recently I started adding a small bit of boric acid to the mix to boost my boron wow what a difference. 👍
I want some dry fertilizer. I really enjoyed your vidos about fertilizer thanks again I really love if you can make one on flourish line
Only been dosing since November 2019...and from what I see? What might be great for plants...can cause some not so great reactions from the fish. I also ran across an article that said long term use of Co2 can alter fish brains. I don't use Co2,but I wonder if high amounts of Potassium,Iron,Manganese..some micro's that are not even found in rivers we dose, can cause problems. Zinc for fish? I once tried taking Zinc and Iron tablets for humans from Walgreens..one gave me stomach pains and the iron ,headaches besides that taste of metal.
Iron,is a MUST so far. Others? Might come in the form of fish waste..phosphates and nitrogen we know,right?
I guess this just a reminder to watch the fish reactions..we know plants like one thing,but might not be best for fish.
Hi Bentley, Thanks for the whole fertilizer series, it has been very informative. I have been using an "EI Light" method from The Plant Guy in Canada, on all 13 of my planted tanks (low tech, no CO2 but with good, controlled LED lighting) that has the powders premixed into Macros and Micros for about 2 years now. Mixed with distilled water and dosed on the lean side on alternating days for my hard water...with some tweaking for plant mass in the tanks and it has been excellent for everything but the most demanding (CO2 requiring plants). I initially started with the Seachem line of ferts and saw excellent results but the cost became prohibitive once MTS took over... Your series provides a great foundation for others to make sound decisions on how to proceed with their tanks and for that you should be commended. All the best and looking forward to your next series and seeing your Fish room tour updates. Thanks also for the info on the JCP LEDs...so far, so good!
Mind expanding on how you’re dosing there?
Heya Bentley. so happy to have seen this today, just randomly after locating the Aussie EBAY companythat sell Powdered fertz , premade in Micros & macros separately. The way they described it, I’d measure a predetermined amount of each, into 500ml of water which then becomes like a bottle of Liquid fertz to be dosed every other night tho I forget the ratio.... anyways thankyou and I’ll definitely have to check put more of ur stuff. cheers from Down under Australia
I liked this video so much I hit the like button twice! Just kidding :) Great vid, thanks for the info!
I started using Greg Sage's Rapid Grow Plant Fertilizer about a month or so ago. I mixed as he recommended, but for dosing, I'm adding a small amount following each weekly water change. I'm still toying with amounts.
Let me know how it turns out, I'm very curious!
I'm looking for a way to minimize my water changes but idk where to from these ferts.
Hey Bentley, i have a quick question. So i love the idea of EI method dosing and am really interested in the customizable nature of the method and the cost effectiveness. This being said I'm not sure if i should use it for my setup. I'm planning on using a pretty bright Nicrew planted tank light on a 29g with aquario neo co2 (just the cheap diy co2 stuff) and I'm using mostly lower tech plants such as java ferns, vals, buce, anubias, crypts, hydrocotyle leucolphela, amazon swords, pogostemon stellatus and some stem plants like certain rotalas and ludwigias. Since I'm using the diy co2 and the system is rated for 10-30g (even though it likely is meant mostly for 10-20 and im likely not getting a lot of co2 from this system at all so my ppm of co2 will be considerably lower the pressurized yet considerably higher than no co2 injections) and im using a med-high nicrew light along with lower tech plants, should i still use ei in your opinion. The biggest pros for me for ei is the customizable nature, cost effectiveness, more control over nutrients, keeps you on track maintenance wise and is a little more interesting. The cons for me would be potential overdose and the risk of what would happen to my plants if i was to leave for vacation for a week or so (although I'm really not to concerned about this since my plants are hardier low tech plants, however balance is still key). The All in one pros would just be simplicity but cons is that it'll be harder to fill certain deficiencies. i also know that i should keep in mind that im using root tabs for my root feeders that my leech into the water column and that im using eco complete substrate so nutrients may be retained. If you can, could you give any input on if you think i should use all in one or ei for my setup, Thank you!
although i don't use the ei method anymore, you don't really need great precision measuring out each salt. after all, you are providing an excess to begin with. you can also mix macros and micros together as long as the macro solution has a pH of < 6. add 10ml excel or vinegar per 500ml of solution to prevent mold. this is my all in one.
Excellent video. Would dosing ONLY micronutrients help the plants you think in a high- tech setup? Im running CO2 and full-spectrum LED lighting (med/high lighting), only 10 gallons.
If it also has enough macros from other sources
I got here because I was looking for cheap/DIY ferts. My channels theme is "aquariums on a budget" after all lol, and as my number and size of tanks increase Im needing a much more cost effective/bulk option. So thinking of switching to the DIY root tab and EI methods. Knowing how you feel about osmacote, do you have a DIY root tab you do like? Would you consider making a gel capsule filled with these powders?
You could yes
Hey, you mentioned that phosphorus messes with iron and fertilizer spoils after a month. Does this mean all in one fertz arent as effective as diy with micro and macro dosing separately?
I have a high tech tank, co2, but effectively I want to make a single diy solution that replaces my all in one complete
All-in-one ferts use a stabilizer to prevent those issues
In terms of adding calcium to the water, should I dose Calcium Sulfate (CaSO4) or GH Booster since it has a mixture of different nutrients? My anubias and java fern are growing curved with holes on the leaves even though i have been dosing KNO3, KH2PO4, K2SO4, and CSM+B in dry form for a month now. Any amount of help would be much appreciated.
I would dose calcium sulfate and monitor.
@@BentleyPascoe Thank you
PPS-pro 👍
Currently I use Easygreen liquid fertilizer. I have also used Flourish liquid and root tabs. I have used all in one powdered Miracle-Gro (looks more like crystals) for my houseplants but no individual powders for my aquariums. I like the idea of individual powders but due to time, money and space constraints, I could not do it at this time.
Yes! Was waiting so long for this video! Just figured out why my monte carlo isn't growing real fast, Calcium! Thank you!
One question:
How can I find out what nutrients certain plants need a lot of? That way I can better figure out what my tank needs.
The Barr Report has some great info like this, but sadly there isn't a perfect source out there.
@@BentleyPascoe 🙏🙏 I will read up there
So, I got a drug dealer scale and a lot of jars full with white stuff...
If the cops ask me about it I send them your way. ;)