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Fert mix (Nutrafin & Excel)

2K views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  Angel079 
#1 ·
So now that i FINALLY got all my stuff together for my nightmare tank (aka 55g)...Would it not help the plants if I dose 1 week Nutrafin and next week Flourish Excel and so on....

Or would that then be too much? which I don't think really since its 2 different kinds fert's pretty much.

Root tablets for the Swords & Cryp's are in already.

So where's MoneyMitch and Byron and all the other fert addicts here :-D
 
#2 ·
First, Flourish Excel is not a fertilizer comparable to Nutrafin or Flourish Comprehensive or other similar products. It is a liquid carbon supplement. I have never used it, and unless I were to have a terrible attack of brush algae, probably never will. I have no reason to use it, as the fish in my aquaria produce sufficient CO2 for the plants; they wouldn't be thriving if this were not the case.

Liquid fertilizers like Flourish Comprehensive and Nutrafin supply the minerals that plants need because these may not all be available through fishfood, tap water, etc.

Carbon is required regularly by plants. If one feels there is insufficient CO2 in the aquarium, and resorts to using Excel, it should presumably be fairly regular. It is comparable to diffused CO2, as Seachem explain on their website. And it is my understanding that those with CO2 use it daily, not once a week or once in two weeks. I wouldn't think that would accomplish anything beneficial--except perhaps for algae.

Liquid fertilization for minerals is normally sufficient once or twice a week, depending upon the balance with light and CO2.

Byron.
 
#3 ·
Uhm well...yea I have *some* troubles with the 55g if you recall, hence the purchase of the Excel and no there's DEF not enough fish in it for CO2 as it is now and there will NOT be any fish in there until such day this tank is in check.

so if I understand you right: Nutrafin 1x week and Excel daily then?
 
#4 ·
Uhm well...yea I have *some* troubles with the 55g if you recall, hence the purchase of the Excel and no there's DEF not enough fish in it for CO2 as it is now and there will NOT be any fish in there until such day this tank is in check.

so if I understand you right: Nutrafin 1x week and Excel daily then?
With comprehensive fertilizer like Nutrafin's liquid, I would use it once a week, unless they suggest different on the label; I've never used this particular product. I use Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive, it says once or twice a week, and I've experimented and found that twice is needed in my case or the plants do not thrive.

Excel I've never used, no idea how often they recommend. But I expect it is more frequent than once a week. I don't know how long it takes plants to absorb liquid carbon, nor do I know how long this product remains effective in the tank.

B.
 
#5 ·
Yea I know what they recc. on the bottles and for the pills - I was just trying to find a "good mix" / solution for this with the "Screwy tank" just cause its written on the bottle doesn't necessarily mean that's ideal for the tank and me being new to ferts was looking for suggestions there, but I'll just go by the bottles then I guess :)
 
#6 ·
You just have to work it out. As I've often written, the light and nutrients have to balance, and you as the aquarist has to ensure the light and mineral nutrients balance the available CO2 and nitrogen [both from the fish], and this balance depends in the end on the water parameters, fish load, type of plants, minerals available in your tap water or from fish food, etc. There is no guaranteed formula since every tank will have something different.
 
#7 ·
Not to mention the part where i am HOPING this tank will indeed be stocked one day and then CO2 from fish & excel IMO is too much.

Arg this tank guys I'm telling you :frustrated:

When I'm done with it, I should write a "Algae & Bacteria Bloom guide" for this forum!!
 
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