Here’s how to apply the PMDD method “Poor Man’s Dosing Drops”
The PMDD method was developed with a double goal: to grow plants and to control algae. After various tests and studies, it was hypothesized that all types of algae (including cyanobacteria) can be controlled in planted aquariums, making sure phosphates are a limiting (and controlled) factor for plant growth.
Managing algae in a planted aquarium is a type of vicious circle: algae will compete with plants for nutrients. Plant growth can be significantly slowed down if nutrients do not occur in sufficient quantities. This is the situation that inevitably promotes algae. But plants can not grow without phosphates (the lack of this element is worse than the excess). Therefore, it is necessary to try to reduce the concentration of phosphates in order to keep the planted aquarium with the least amount of algae.
PMDD method
The PMDD method aims to maintain a slight excess of light, CO², N, K and trace elements, in order to allow plants to achieve optimal growth and use all available phosphates. Assuming there are no reliable and inexpensive tests to check all the nutrients, a “standard principle” has been established that applies to the majority of planted tanks. In this case, various elements are defined as the percentage of measurable nutrients, i.e. the NO3 test for the mixture of macroelements and iron in the mixture of micronutrients.
Recommended values for PMDD
NO3: from 3 to 5 ppm
PO4: 0 to 1 ppm (maximum)
Iron: 0.1 ppm.
Preparation of solutions
Mixture of microelements:
10 g of our chelated trace elements, CSM + B
500 ml of osmotic (or boiled) water.
A blend of macronutrients:
14 g of K2SO4
6 g of KNO3 (Optional)
33 g of MgSO4 (to be reduced if the mixture of micro nutrients contains a sufficient amount).
500 ml of osmotic (or boiled) water.
To simplify dispensing of various elements of this method, they were combined into 2 solutions. Each of these solutions can be easily measured using two “standards”: iron for microelements and NO3 for macroelements. This makes fertilizing management much easier.
Mixture of microelements and macroelements in PMDD
In the case of the mixture of microelements, a sufficient mixture should be added to keep the iron level at around 0.1 ppm. The best way to check this level is to regularly check the iron level (once a week).
At the macro-nutrient level, measure the level of nitrate and adjust the amount of mixture that is injected to maintain the concentration in the aquarium from 3 to 5 ppm. It can therefore be assumed that other macroelements will be brought and consummated optimally. The ideal is to dose a fraction of the weekly dose each day to avoid the lack of nutrients.
I’m just about to order my second lot of pmdd salts for our aquaria. I used the first to great effect in my 50L aquarium and therefore we are going to be using it in ALL of our setups and also using it to make our own clayballs balls too!.
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