Being in the planted aquarium hobby for quite a while, this question is very common and is often asked among planted aquarium hobbyists. Throughout my experience with planted aquariums, the only method I ever used was the estimative index method, which consisted of dumping in a certain amount of ferts and doing a 50% water change at the end of the week to reset the nutrients. I no longer use this method as I find it somewhat wasteful of nutrients.

Recently, I have been doing some research and trying out different calculations to target a specific NPK ratio. I have spent about an hour or so and I have finally came up with the calculations and I will give it a try at my next water change. If all goes well, I will share them with you.

So the question is, how do you dose your planted aquarium? What have you found that works best? what products have you tried? did you like it? yes? no?

Discuss about this on-going topic in our discussion forums.

- Johnny