flourish

onemanswarm

Great point. I've been using Flourish in a tank with inverts for that very reason. A quick question on that topic: what's the best way to disperse liquid fertilizer around the tank?

It would be easy enough to mix it with new water during a PWC, but Byron's article recommends dosing the day after a PWC due to the potential impact of water conditioners on some of the key nutrients. Instead, I've been using my little plastic syringe and pumping small amounts in 5-6 areas around the tank at about half depth. I want it to be spread around evenly, but I worry that if one of the invertebrates is exposed to a concentrated dose (e.g., ghost shrimp swimming full face into a fresh squirt of Flourish before it dissipates), it could be harmful. Any thoughts on that? How are you actually dispersing the liquid?

kangy

I disperse that same exact way and have 10 ghost shrimp. Never had an issue.
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Skooter

I agree w/Byron. I add a day after water change and will even turn off my hob's and just let my bubblers cycle it through the tank for a good 30 minutes. I have noticed that since I changed to Flourish my floating plants are taking over so now I need to spend more time keeping them in control. I purchased two 5x5 pieces of Xmas moss on some stretchy sock mesh and put them both on a rock and in a few weeks this stuff has taken off like crazy. my neon's go in it and disappear as well as my adult RCS. I add another dose three days later. With all that being said I like your idea on how to apply it. I just get my measuring cup and fill it w/tank water and add the Flourish then dump out small amounts all over the tank. I also always say what ever works for you is the best way to do it as long as its successful. hope this helps

Byron

It likely doesn't matter much where you add it, but I usually add liquids (Flourish, or medications like CopperSafe when that is necessary) next to the filter return. This way it immediately gets into the water stream moving away from the filter spray bar or whatever.

onemanswarm

So the Flourish won't lose any potency passing through the filter media? That was my main concern doing it the way you describe.

Byron

Regardless of where you put a liquid, it will be in the water column and thus pass through the filter media (unless something is wrong with the circulation of course). Provided there is no chemical media in the filter that would remove nutrients--such as carbon will, or ammonia detoxifiers too for that matter--there should be no problem.

Water conditioners that detoxify heavy metals will negate some/all of these nutrients in Flourish, according to Seachem, which is why I suggest dosing Flourish or other liquid nutrients a day subsequent to using such a conditioner.

onemanswarm

In that case, is it still worth injecting the liquid near the return or could I get away with simply putting it directly into the reservoir of the HOB?

Byron

I can't see why not. I find it easier to slide the cover glass back and drop in whatever number of 1/2 teaspoons of Flourish, rather than stopping my canisters and opening them.

onemanswarm

Indeed! Well at least there's one advantage to an HOB! Plus, that's one less reason to stick my hand in the tank.

bigehugedome

Hi all,

I emailed them a few months back, pretty fast response time too (20mins) here ya go:

"I was wondering why refrigeration recommended but not necessary for most of your products. I was mainly concerned with Flourish comprehensive. Also, if you open but do not refrigerate for a while, is it harmful to then start refrigerating, or if you refrigerate it then will it spoil if you decide to stop refrigerating it, or you forget to put it back in the fridge for a while?"

Thank you for using our products and for your question. None of the Flourish products have shelf lives, and they will therefore not go bad, whether or not they have been refrigerated. In all honesty, we do not refrigerate any of the products that we use on our tanks here at Seachem. Refrigerating them may cut down on the potential of any type of bacterial growth that may occur, though this is really uncommon. You can refrigerate the products at any time, if you so decide, and if you forget to place it back in the fridge, there is no issue. We hope this information helps and that you have a wonderful day!
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