why do i need to wait 1 day after water change to add plant nutrients?

MrEd

I remember reading this suggestion before in these forums, but I couldn't find it through search. can someone please explain why we need to wait a day after water change before adding plant nutrients?

thanks,
ed

Mikaila31

You don't need to wait....

JasonI

I just think it would be a waste of plant fertilizer after water change since your adding your water conditioners to your aquarium water and this will defeat the purpose of adding any plant nutrients to your water. So by waiting 24 hours or more you know that your tank has filtered out most of these chemicals to neutralize your aquarium therefore it would be best to add them after these chemicals have neutralized. So this leaves your plants with a better nutrient efficient tank and depending on your choice for plant suppliments this will last longer in your planted tanks water allowing plants to take in the proper nutrients they need. Also always read how often your plants nutrients should be given to be effective.

Blaxicanlatino

well see the plant conditioner is still "active" in the water so if you put the fertilizaer in the day of the water change then some ferts be rendered useless by the conditioner. 24 hours will allow ample time for the conditioner to not affect ferts introduced to the tank.

Mikaila31

you guys are talking about dechlorinator?

Blaxicanlatino

im assuming when he changes the water he adds something like prime in the water

tanker

Here's a link to a post that gives the information about it

What fertiliser?

Edited to add: I tried to link to a single post, but it seems to have linked to the whole thread. Post #8 is the relevant post.

MrEd

I currently use water that has been sitting in a bucket for 3+ days to refill my tank. In that case, do I still need to add dechlorinator? do I still need to use Prime?

thanks

tanker

From what I've read, chlorine will evaporate, but chloramine won't. If your water is treated with chloramine, you need the conditioner.

Blaxicanlatino

ok, to keep it simple:

when you take the old water, the new water must be "cleaned". for instance, the water probably has hard metals and chlorine in it so therefore you must use a dechlorinator or conditioner or else those hard metals and chlorine will hurt your fish and or plants. follow the instructions on the bottle. for instance it made be to but 2 drops for every gallon of water you are replacing. once this is dont, wait a day, then put in the plant ferts (nutrients)