When reading the post by Tom Barr, plantbrain, in the CO2 Magic! thread, I came to think about an old idea I had about the estimative index(EI) method mentioned there.
I was considering recycling of EI "outwater" in some tanks to reduce the fluctuations in tank chemistry. The idea can also be used to create a stable algae supply for algaegrasers. Running two parellell tanks, one nutrient saturated for plants and one "export" tank with alot of algae eaters or an algalscrubber. When doing a WC, take 50% from the planted and put it in a container. Then take 40% from the export tank and put it in the plant tank. Top the planted with tap- or RO-water and the export with the old planted water from the container.
I've never gotten around actually doing it though since there have been no real need. In marine planteds all the WCs when using EI of course becomes an economical issue. The problems I see of the top of my head are:
1/ Insufficent nutrient export causing buildup of one or more nutrients in the system.
2/ Micro-nutrient starvation. Some micros, that might previously have come from tap water, are removed completely from the system. When using RO/DI this is not an issue.
3/ Toxin collection. The planted system in effect gets a 10% "real" WC every cycle whilst the export gets 0%. So toxins generated in the export accumulate. Of course, adding some fresh water to the export tank will probably remedy this.
4/ Deviation from the EI paradigm of no tests. The water have to be tested all the time so in effect EI isnt employed.
Well, this is just a wild idea. Treat it as you please and bin it if you want to!
cheers Mattias
I was considering recycling of EI "outwater" in some tanks to reduce the fluctuations in tank chemistry. The idea can also be used to create a stable algae supply for algaegrasers. Running two parellell tanks, one nutrient saturated for plants and one "export" tank with alot of algae eaters or an algalscrubber. When doing a WC, take 50% from the planted and put it in a container. Then take 40% from the export tank and put it in the plant tank. Top the planted with tap- or RO-water and the export with the old planted water from the container.
I've never gotten around actually doing it though since there have been no real need. In marine planteds all the WCs when using EI of course becomes an economical issue. The problems I see of the top of my head are:
1/ Insufficent nutrient export causing buildup of one or more nutrients in the system.
2/ Micro-nutrient starvation. Some micros, that might previously have come from tap water, are removed completely from the system. When using RO/DI this is not an issue.
3/ Toxin collection. The planted system in effect gets a 10% "real" WC every cycle whilst the export gets 0%. So toxins generated in the export accumulate. Of course, adding some fresh water to the export tank will probably remedy this.
4/ Deviation from the EI paradigm of no tests. The water have to be tested all the time so in effect EI isnt employed.
Well, this is just a wild idea. Treat it as you please and bin it if you want to!
cheers Mattias
