Dear fellow members,

After being told off by the not-so-friendly-thinksheknowseverything-ahpek-ari, I am determined to find out if anyone knows or has the actual facts and convincing theory for the best dosing time. Tried google-ing for 1 hour but didn't find any, probably my search string was lousy.

I read from a chinese forum that the best dosing time is right before the photoperiod ends with some theories and explanation the bio way. Am quite convinced but don't know how to translate it. Here's my layman translation, photosyntesis produces some by-product which is required to be channeled to the other parts of the plants for usage or storage. The peak of this is at the end of the photoperiod. However, the plants will need nutrients to help and encounrage transport of the by-product. Some nutrients like Iron can oxydize quite fast in water(when dosed in the morning or other times), therefore to have best effect with the most concentration and full use of the nutrients for the plants, the best time is to dose right before the photoperiod ends. Hope this sounds ok for you because I remember vaguely from my bio class that some facts sounds right. I am no biologist so please excuse me.

4 options for your debate:

1) Before photoperiod
2) In between photoperiod
3) Before the photoperiod ends
4) After photoperiod

Does any sifu have any explanation or care to share your experience in a polite way? Frankly speaking, the "MY-WAY or doing things simply because I have tonnes of experience and I have no clue why and it works" doesn't sound very convincing, especially for a newbie like me. Yes, It's not helpful at all.

I am just trying to share different school of thoughts and see if other members have a good explanation to share.

__________________
Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

What i am experiencing is different type of plants hv different timing to assorb the liquid fert. If you said dosing it right after the photoperiod. Then you gonna check on the Rotala species. The leaves will 'close' automatically after 6pm. Means...it is time to 'rest n sleep'. No matter you open the lighting at night or not. it still remaining closed.

What i read from some other article said...when the plants running the photosynthesis. It is not just need the lighting n co2. But some other source like fe, nitrate...etc.

Different plants different needs of nutrients at different times. Sounds logical but I think this requires very very extensive tests to find out individually. If so, does it mean that overall if I have different types of plants, the best way is to dose during photoperiod?

Btw, does Rotala family plants really close after 6pm automatically even at varied times of photoperiod? Say, one tank's photoperiod is 1pm - 9pm and the other is 4pm - 1am. Will both tank's rotala's leaves close at 6pm?

I thought plants leaves opening and closing is determined by light (photoperiod). For example, marsilea in my experience will also close the leave during non-photoperiod.

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Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

Not sure about it. I had few types of Rotala species in a tank last time. They do closed at the same time. And now also hv a tank with a species of rotala. Can't compare with others.

The marsilea from you...growing n it 'open' all the time. nvr close...

Dom, btw, I read is right before the photoperiod ends. Btw, i think closed doesn't mean it cannot absorb the nutrients and transport the by-products to other parts of the plant. Close could mean it stops photosyntesis.

*sigh* Where is my biology book when I need it now?

__________________
Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

You never observe the plants in emesed form. Hahhaa...

Want to bet? I have a garden of them at home. Grows too fast like a weed. Next I will observe my emersed rotala at 6pm or around that time.

__________________
Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

too bad i m not the biologyst. i believe the book from diana walsted hv the answer. gonna go n find out.

come n check out the emersed and submersed marsilea...it open all the time.

I will take picture of the marsilea during evening and show you when I go back Ipoh. At the same time, tonight you go back, observe your marsilea leaves at night without any lights on your balcony. It closes like a shell.

__________________
Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.

Pls check and let me know. Thanks. Good for understanding. I'm very ashamed to say that I've been keeping planted tanks for 2 years without understanding why I do some of the things I do. I tried finding in theKrib but they didn't mention the timing.

Btw, where is your latest forum hangout?

__________________
Isaac Goh©

Moss: Singapore, Taiwan, Weeping, Spiky, Erect, Xmas.

Pellia: Coral pellia, Normal pellia, Medium pellia?, Wild mini pellia.