Test level values in ppm

[Oranda90272]

I have a 50 gal tank with 4 very nice Goldfish (2 calico Orandas, a fantail, a calico Moor).
I have a selection of Java Fern, Anubias, Crypts. The number of plants is approx. 30-40 smallish plants. The plants need help. The nitrate level was 0 ppm before I started using plant tabs. I would like to use the Seachem N-P-K but I don't want to add too much and harm the fish.
I have been testing with AqPharmaceuticals Nitrate and Red Sea Iron and CO2. The tank is well cycled (Ammonia and Nitrite = 0).

What should the values be for Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium, Iron and CO2?

Which test do you recommend?

[Tech Support CH]

The levels for planted aquariums that most people agree on are:
CO2 10-25 ppm
Nitrate 5-30 mg/L
Potassium 10-30 ppm
Phosphate 1-2 mg/L
Iron 0.2-0.5 or higher if using a chelated iron (Flourish Iron is not chelated)

Of course I recommend our test kits for the test kits that we make: MultiTest Iron, MultiTest Phosphate, and MultiTest Nitrite/Nitrate.

There are not many accurate potassium test kits available and most people figure out CO2 by using the KH/pH/CO2 charts that you can find on the internet.

If you are using Flourish Nitrogen to add nitrogen you should only expect your Nitrate reading to be half of what is suggested above. The reason is that half of the Flourish Nitrogen in in the ammoniacal form which most plants prefer.

[Jimbo205]

Oranda, if you get tired of testing and trying to figure what color is which shade and what number it corresponds to, in my opinion, I highly recommend the Daily Dosage Schedule that Seachem has on this website. You will need to adjust it for the size of your tank, but I believe the plants absorb the nutrients as you put them into the aquarium.
And a smaller amount each day is supposed to be better for the plants than a large amount at once.

And if you ever need help. The support on this website with Seachem can't be beat!

How do you keep your Goldfish from digging up the plants?