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plant ferts

3K views 14 replies 4 participants last post by  molliefan09 
#1 ·
i just started planting my 20 gal tropical freshwater aqurium. my question is....what do you guys recommend for ferts....ive seen the seachem flourish is this a good product. Jack Middleton had recommended NPK+Trace but i cant find it anyway on-line or in stores.

Tank size: 20 gal
lighting: 2 15w/120v incadacent lights
Co2: no ( would like to stay away from)
Ammonia: 0-0.25ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate:20-40ppm
any other info you need??
 
#2 ·
Plants require a balance of 17 nutrients. Some of these may occur in your tap water, some will come from the fish food, but the chance of getting everything in the required amount is unlikely. Dosing individual nutrients is risky at best, and can be dangerous. Some nutrients in excess can lead to deficiencies in other nutrients because they affect the plant's metabolism.

The EI method of dosing quantities of certain nutrients appears to work in aquaria with CO2 and mega light, i.e., high-tech planted tanks; its inventor and proponent, Tom Barr, says as much. In low-tech or natural planted aquaria, this is not a good practice. The light and CO2 will be much lower and to balance 16 nutrients with this is not simple (CO2 is one of the 17 nutrients, as carbon). The best solution is a comprehensive fertilizer.

I have used Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium for more than a year now, with very good results. Previously I used Kent Freshwater Plant Supplement, also successful. These are liquid fertilizers, adequate in most situations. But if you have swords or crypts, plants which are largely bog plants in nature which means they absorb largely through their roots, substrate fertilization is beneficial. And swords (Echinodorus species) are heavy feeders. For these I use Nutrafin's Plant-Gro sticks; there is also a tablet in the Flourish line.

Byron.
 
#3 ·
thank you byron....so the seachem i mentioned is it different from the one you mentioned? i do plan on getting some anubias (sp??) as soon as the lfs gets theorder in but currently i have java moss, java fern, anacharis, and banana plants. I will also be getting some light care floatingplants for my betta tank....all the products you mentioned are safe for fish too right??
 
#5 ·
Yes to your last question. But another reason not to go dosing ad hoc nutrients is the possible effect on fish. In the required balance nutrients will feed the plants; there is no need for more than what they need. So why risk it.

For the plants you mention, substrate fertilizer would be of little value. Liquid is fine. And use the specific one I named; Seachem make several products in the Flourish line but the "Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium" is the basic all-found fertilizer.

Anubias is like Java Fern, it grows by roots attached to wood and rocks, so don't plant it in the substrate when you get it. Banana plants should be planted with the lowest 1/3 of the "banana" structure in the gravel (substrate), and other roots will develop down into the substrate. The bananas are actually stores of nutrients, not roots. And banana plants do not live long, about a year it seems; but they will produce daughter plants readily.

Byron.
 
#7 ·
There are several stores in Vancouver that carry them. They are made by Hagen/Nutrafin. I believe this company is actually Hagen, and they incorporated the Nutrafin line, or something.

I just tried to access the site to get you the direct link, but it may be down or something, can't get on at the moment. They're at www.hagen.com or www.rchagen.com

B.
 
#8 ·
ok so seachem flourish comprehensive suppliment for planted aquariums...got it, i will go purchase some later today. i currently have my java fern stuck in the substrate so i will go attach it to my piece of drift wood....any suggestions on what to attach it with??
 
#11 ·
Black thread works fine, just enough to hold it down; the new roots will quickly affix the plant to wood or rock. Usually I just wrap the roots around the wood or rock, to sort of weigh it down underneath if that makes sense, and the plant quickly attaches itself. B.
 
#10 ·
Yep, that's it. The largest size (2 litres) is less expensive per ml so it depends how much you may be using. I have three large aquaria plus a couple small ones, and I am still using the 2L I bought last October (2008). I saved several dollars over buying the smaller size. Some people don't mind if they don't use much. Same with water conditioner, it is cheaper per ml in the largest size.

B.
 
#13 ·
ok so i just got back from the LFS and theyhad the flourish you recommended so i went ahead and purchased it and added 2mL to my tank. although......i can not figure out how to attatch my java fern to the driftwood with out it tipping over:-(
 
#14 ·
Can't help you with that I'm afraid:shock:. Too far away.

Use the recommended dose of Flourish the first couple of weeks, only once a week, careful not to overdose. Plants will accustomize to nutrient changes slowly better than sudden. After maybe 3 weeks, if the plants look under-nourished, try a second weekly dose. This has to balance the light and CO2 or algae will take control.

Have fun, and ask us if anything comes up.

Byron.
 
#15 ·
thanks for all your help byron!! You mean u dont want to make a day trip to good ol'sunny florida?!?! no.....i think i got it tied right this time. i originally had it tied with the string parallel with the bottom of the plant and now i have it perpendicular and it seems to be staying up right...i will denfinatley ask if i have anymore questions!!
 
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