Poor Man's Dosing Drops
Recipe - Dosing info (click here for printer friendly version)

Homegrown Hydroponics carries the ingredients for the PMDD:

Our PMDD contains:
#2 K2SO4 (potassium sulfate),
#3 KNO3 (potassium nitrate),
#5 MGSO4 (Epsom salt),
#6 Chelate Trace element (Fe 7%, B 1.3%, Mn 2%, Zn 0.4%, Cu 0.1%, Mo 0.06%)
- exactly what aquatic people are looking for! Pricing:
#2 500gr 3.40 $CDN
#3 500gr 3.40 $CDN
#5 500gr 4.00 $CDN
#6 100gr 6.00 $CDN

These are 4 of the Homegrown 6 pack ingredients.
The Homegrown 6 pack is a hydroponic fertilizer recipe.


Fertilizer Recipe
This recipe was kindly provided by Paul L. Sears and Kevin C. Conlin..
For more info have a look at their page: Control of Algae in Planted Aquaria

A note from Paul L. Sears:

"This recipe is not to be used blindly. It is far more important to read what we wrote about the whole subject. We were proposing a method for algae control."


1 Tbsp ~9g Chelated Trace Element Mix
(7% Fe, 1.3% B, 2% Mn, 0.06% Mo, 0.4% Zn, 0.1% Cu, EDTA, DTPA)
2 Tsp ~14g K2SO4 (potassium sulfate)
1 Tsp ~6g KNO3 (potassium nitrate)
2.5 Tbsp ~33g MgSO4.7H2O (fully hydrated magnesium sulfate, aka epsom salts; omit if already present in trace element mix)
300mL 300mL distilled H2O
0.5mL 0.5mL 9M HCl (optional)
Most of the ingredients can be purchased at hydroponics shops or garden supply stores.
Epsom salts are available inexpensively at pharmacies

Dissolve the trace element mix in 150mL distilled water, then add the remaining ingredients. Pour in additional water to make 300mL solution. The HCl helps prevent the growth of fungus and may be omitted if the mix is kept in the refrigerator.
Add enough mix to the tank every day to keep the Fe level at about 0.1ppm (the exact amount will have to be determined by experimentation, but 3mL per 100L tank water is about right for a tank with rapidly growing plants). Measure nitrate levels regularly, and adjust the amount of KNO3 in the mix to maintain 3-5ppm (this step is fairly
important). Those concerned about adding nitrates to their aquarium can dose the KNO3 separately, omitting it initially and adding it later as required to obtain the desired concentration.
The shelf life of the solution is unknown. Make small batches, or store only dry powders (but mix them with water before adding them to the aquarium).
If test kits are not available, satisfactory results can be obtained by adding 1mL mix to 10L replacement water during water changes.


Notes on 'How to dose PMDD'
Dosing just a little bit too much PMDD can lead to a nutrient excess that will give unwanted algae a foothold.
Too much is not the best thing for your fishes' well being.
Too much of specific nutrients can be injurious to specific plant species.
Way too much and the excess can actually inhibit a plant's ability to properly utilize nutrients present. How's that for contrary!
For more dosing information have a look at the page 'Practical PMDD Information'. This page is part of 'The Krib', a site with information about tropical fish aquarium (thanks to Brian W. Renken).


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or 1- 416- 242- 4769
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© Contents and Photographs Copyright 1998
Stuart & Scott Eitel, Homegrown Hydroponics Inc.