Striped Bass

Good day!
I have been doing as much research as I can into the care required for my live planted FW tank. But the one thing I haven't been able to figure out is, Should I leave my bio filter in of take it out? I Would think that I should keep it in considering what a huge benefit it is. But my concern is that the bio filter is consuming the liquid supplement im adding to my tank. That brings up another question. How much or how often should I be adding these supplements? In the opinions of those Like Jay with so much experience with these issues.


Stripedbass

ahill3780

IMO leave the biofilter in place, it won't interfere much with the plants and if it does you can just up the dosage.

Some supplements should be added daily while others may call for every other day to once a week. It all depends on the supplement (and any others you may use) and how heavily planted the tank is.

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Jay

Yes leave the bio filter. A bio-filter is the bacteria colonies that consume ammonia and nitrites. They should be everywhere not just in one place.

Bio filtration will not have any impact on plant fertilization, and that the end result is NO3 is even better. You might consider removing charcoal, any ion exchange resins, etc. from the filter.

You also have to keep in mind that we are talking about ONE of three crucial interrelated things here.

1. Light
2. Ferts
3, Carbon Source

Further we are talking about a High Light more that moderately planted tank otherwise you would not consider CO2 or Light over 2 watts per gallon.

That said, there is no ABC how much of this or that and when. Each tank is going to be different. My Tank has a very high plant mass (look at the pics) therefore it requires more ferts than a less heavily planted tank but only slightly

First Confusing but Essential Concept:

All Major Nutrients must be available at all times during the photo process so as to insure none of them will be deficient or unavailable for uptake anytime. Those nutrients are NO3, PO4, and K (Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium)

All Macro trace elements (read the Seachem Flourish Label) must be available during the photo process so as to insure none of them will be deficient or unavailable for uptake.

CO2 must be available and rock solid at 30 - 40 ppm during the photo period.

Here is a thread where Aaron and I were discussing light and ferts.

--> http://www.fishtankforums.com/7-fish...aquariums.html

Check it out

Regards,
Jay