|
|
1. Mix & grind dry components to remove any lumps.
Make only small batches of pellets by placing a small amount (1 or 2 teaspoons) of dry mix into a mixing container.
|
|
|
|
2. Using the precision dropper add water drop by drop into mix. The correct moisture content is important in making your own pellets.
|
|
|
|
3. Mix and stir the contents until the mix is moist. You can tell when you have the right moisture content by pinching a small amount of the mix between you thumb and forefinger. The mix is to wet if you can squeeze water out and to dry if it falls apart after you release pressure.
|
|
|
|
4. Holding the Pellet Press cylinder with the wooden piston retracted 3/4 inch or more. Push the cylinder into the moistened mix repeatedly until about 1/2 inch of mix is forced into the cylinder
|
|
|
|
5. Force the cylinder down over the pellet base stud until the cylinder bottoms on the base plate. Using the handle end of the kitchen knife tap the piston until the pellet is fully compressed. After the pellet is formed remove the cylinder and piston with formed pellet (within) from the base plate.
|
|
|
|
6. Holding the cylinder securely, depress the piston completely to expose the pellet. Nudging the pellet will cause it to release and fall into a bowl or saucer. Repeat the process to make the desired number of pellets. Allow the pellets to air dry over night. In humid climates it may be necessary to dry the pellets in a warm oven.
|
|
|
|
7. After loading a pellet into the applicator, insert the applicator at an angle under the plant then depress the plunger thereby ejecting the pellet into the substrate under the plant.
|
|
|
|
The correct method to reload the applicator is with the applicator sloping away from the hand, allowing any water to run away from the hand.
|
|
|
|
The incorrect method of reloading has the applicator sloping down and water running back into the hand.
|
|
|
|
DOSAGE
(When using the 50% PMDD / 50% A.R.T. clay formula)
For tanks with no previous fertilization apply 3 (3/8 X 1/4 dia) pellets per 5 gallons initially then 1 pellet per 5 gallons per week for 2 or 3 months then cut down on fertilization using the vitality of plants as an indicator. Use 3/8 inch x 1/4 dia pellets for larger plants, smaller pellets for smaller plants. For tanks with previous fertilization but no algal bloom, 1 pellet per ten gallons per week for 2 or 3 months then as needed.
For tanks with a currently occurring algal bloom, after the bloom has subsided begin with 1 pellet per 10 gallons per week for 2 or 3 months then as needed. For tanks with depleted clay, laterite or kitty litter substrate layers, apply 1 pellet per 5 gal. per week for 2 or 3 months then as needed.
Experiment by customizing your own formulations to meet the specific needs of your plants.
|
|
