For healthy growth aquatic plants, Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium are the three major nutrients for plants. Although Nitrogen and Phosphorous are produced from fish waste, remnants of fish food and dead leaves, but the Potassium is most insufficient and often lacking in the water. The 3 brothers (nutrients) play an important row in our tank for healthy growth of plants.

For the big brand fertilizer that buying from fish shop, mostly not included Nitrogen and Phosphorous and just added just a little bit of Potassium only. Unless those who planting Riccia and Glossostigma are often in shortage of Nitrogen and Phosphorous, and need to add more of it. Of course, the knowledge of putting a balance of necessary nutrients is important, and incorrect dosage will cause lots of algae problems.

From the JBL website link, know that high amount of PO4 and NO3 will cause algae growing. The excess PO4 and NO3 in the water are the algae nutrients.
http://www.jbl.de/uk/aqua/uk_algen.html#Generelle
And, as RuslanJamil requested about the link to those who taught in using Potassium as below:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/PMDDprimer.htm
All these are just a sharing references . Please check it out for more details.

Hi anakcili,
What is the fish shop near BJ Complex, and the exact location please? Thank you.

Hi JasonC,

Forgive me if I am not reading your post properly, but you said you had just overcome the algae problems by adding more potassium. May I know what kind of algae problems?. How much bioload (fish,plants) and how much and how often do you feed your fish?. With enough bioload, (Nitrogen and Phosphorous are produced from fish waste, remnants of fish food and dead leaves) the only macro nutrients lacking is Potassium. But some tank don't have enough bioload so not enough Nitrogen and Phosphorous for plants. JBL, Tetra etc maybe not enough Potassium (maybe enough for average tank) , but we dose that for trace elements (micro nutrients esp Fe ect). But dosing extra Potassium, causes no harms either IMO. But most of algae problems, IMHO, is CO2 related. BGA is another story (not algae actually, cynobacteria...)

And one more thing, after reading the articles in the links you provided, I am still a bit confused, is it the same article read by Dom?.

Come to think of it, ADA do suggest to dose Brighty K (main Potassium source) daily. ADA tank also keeps NO3 level very low too (< 1mg/l, read from TFH magazine). Maybe something to think about.

Regards

I will let Mr. Tom Barr answer that. . See the links below, and many many more on the net, use Google...

http://www.aquariumpros.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=5799
http://forum.aquatic-gardeners.org/v...ic.php?p=2657&

Regards

hi Jason,

The other statements sound logical but the PO4 and NO3 causes algae is a myth that pretty much busted byMr. Tom Barr and many others who have overloaded their tanks with these two nutrients.

Surprised the above mentioned website hasn't caught up as other German websites have discreetly removed mention of this myth.

Excess of these nutrients on the other hand may cause discomfort for your fish if not anything else.

Regards

Stan

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Hi Nas,

Maybe thats how they keep the red plants really red.
Something to think about. ha

Regards

Stan

__________________
So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Actually my tank was attacked by brown algae, green sport algae, and a bit of hairy algae. I believe it cause by feeding the fish in big amount of food in 2 times a day, and 12 hours with lights on(dim from low to bright). To balance the nutrient for plants absorption, I need to add the Potassium (actually I had tried the ADA Brighty K, is really highly recommended using it.). BTW, what is the meanning of IMO and IMHO? because I am still new to these short form.

I am no sure that wheather DOM had read the same article.

I had read your posted up yesterday night, all about your setup, rescape and replant article. I like your aquatic plants very much and I know that you have put in a lot of your effort to keep it grow and you are a big supporter for ADA too.

Hi Jason,
Welcome to forum jargon. lol=laughing out loud
IMO=in my opinion
IMHO=in my humble opinion
IME=in my experience
IMAO=in my arrogant opinion
AFAIK=as far as i know
FWIW=for what its worth
ROTFLMAO=rolling on the floor laughing my a$$ off!

actually all these acronyms can be googled if you are wondering what it stands for.
HTH [hope this helps!]

Regards

Stan

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

Hi,

Yes, it is maybe true, that is how they keep those red plants red. But with such low NO3 level, I wonder how do they (ADA) keeps away those nasty BGA?. I am guessing here, instead of increasing NO3 level (like most people suggest it), they control it by using Phyton Gitt. Don't know if its true or not. But they must do something to keeps BGA away.

Best Regards

Hi JasonC,

So, is it safe to say that you don't dose much of NO3 and PO4 since you are feeding your fish quite heavily (with enough bioload)? The only thing left is Potassium and trace elements. About the algae that you had, brown algae is normal for newly setup tank (otto good at this). Green spot algae (GSA) related to phosphate, and hair algae related to CO2, IMHO.

As standoyo said IMO=In My Opionion, IMHO=In My Humble Opinion, I use this for expressing my own opinion about something, other may or may not agree with it, but it is just to say in a polite way.

I must say I am a big supporter of anything that is good and working for me. If there is 'ABC' brand of products, that is good for me, I will also support it.

Best Regards