[hiro71]

I recently set up a 15 gallon tank with Caribsea flora max substrate and three pieces of driftwood with a Marineland Led double bright system. The plants I planted are dwarf sag, anubias nana,fine leaf java fern,java moss and some kind of vallisneria.
The tank is about a week old I blacked out the back and one side of the tank diddnt leach out the tannins out of the driftwood much planning to keep neon tetras I heard that neons like a shady tannin stained tank.
I was just wondering is it to early add some liquid fertilizer and root tabs and if I do fertilize do I need more light ? Plus does tannin in the water decrease the light getting to the plants?

. Yea I only had white thread around the house this picture was taken a week ago.

 

[FishyFishy89]

Tannis shouldn't be of an issue. If you aren't seeing any tannis now, you likely won't be seeing any at all.

I recommend dosing with liquid fert and root tabs for bulb/sword plants right away. That is, if you are using inert substrate. Meaning substrate that isn't specially listed for plant growth. When adding ferts, you don't need to go with higher lighting. The ferts are just giving the plants what they need nutrient wise.

 

[jentralala]

I have that same type of a light on a 35 gallon and it does great with ferts.

The best fert imo is Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Plant Supplement. It lasts ages and is easy to dose.

The tank looks absolutely GORGEOUS btw! Very lovely and natural looking

 

[hiro71]

Thanks Fishyfishy yea I added some aqueon liquid fertilizer and the substrate is for planted tanks probably going to add some root tabs later on.

 

[hiro71]

I have that same type of a light on a 35 gallon and it does great with ferts.

The best fert imo is Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Plant Supplement. It lasts ages and is easy to dose.

The tank looks absolutely GORGEOUS btw! Very lovely and natural looking

Hey Jentrala thanks for the compliment

 

[FishyFishy89]

Thanks Fishyfishy yea I added some aqueon liquid fertilizer and the substrate is for planted tanks probably going to add some root tabs later on.

If the substrate specifically states that it is for plants, I wouldn't add ferts. You won't need to with your substrate providing the nutrients for the plants.

What substrate did you get?

 

[hiro71]

If the substrate specifically states that it is for plants, I wouldn't add ferts. You won't need to with your substrate providing the nutrients for the plants.

What substrate did you get?

Im using Caribsea Floramax

 

[frankiefire]

With that substrate I would skip the root tabs and just dose flourish comprehensive.

 

[FishyFishy89]

Same here. The substrate you choose favors bulbs and sword plants.

I would use some SeaChem Flourish to be sure your stems, floaters and non-substrate plants aren't lacking nutrients.

 

[hiro71]

Ok thanks guys for the tips.

 

[BWG]

Gorgeous tank!

I'm going to disagree and say though that you should use root tabs. Substrates like Floramax/EcoComplete/etc still need nutrients added. It's seems to be a common misconception that they don't. Those substrates have a higher CEC rate which means hey will absorb and slowly release nutrients, but to do that you have to add the nutrients. It's really easy to tell the types of substrates that need root tabs like this from the ones that don't such as ADA Aquasoil...the ones that don't will leach ammonia when new.

 

[Chesh]

Hi, hiro71! Welcome to TFK... really gorgeous tank - well done!

I also recommend that you give those pretty root feeders of yours the nutrients they need to thrive. I definitely can tell when the root tabs in my tank have fully dissolved by a fairly obvious slowing in growth - and I've torn apart enough tanks to be able to say with confidence that, in my tanks anyway, they absolutely dissolve fully! I've never had any issues with root tabs, and have used a variety of different brands. . . I've broken apart enough tanks at this point to be able to say with confidence that the plants will use every bit of those root tabs - and will love you for the providing them with the nutrients they need to thrive! ^__^

How often they need replacing really depends on the amount of growth you're getting, and how many plants are 'sharing' one tab. In *most* of my tanks, I replace them about every 2 months - and I tend to have a LOT of root feeders.

I've always added root tabs at start up, and dose seachem flourish comprehensive liquid ferts about once a week from there on out. This has worked very well for me - so I'd advise you to do the same!

Every tank is different, but I have very low lighting in all (seven?) of my planted tanks, and have never had an issue with these two types of fertilization and the low lighting - quite the opposite, actually! I have no algae, and enjoy a lot of growth!

I hope this helps - please keep us up to date on how this pretty tank grows for you!!!

 

[SeaHorse]

I think considering the difference of opinion that the OP should TRY root tabs and get back to us with a report!! I think that's a great idea. We all learn about other peoples experiences that way... that ours is not the only one out there!

 

[Romad]

I think considering the difference of opinion that the OP should TRY root tabs and get back to us with a report!! I think that's a great idea. We all learn about other peoples experiences that way... that ours is not the only one out there!

Exactly right! I removed a bunch of posts in this thread that were just head butting.

Please keep it civil folks. Thanks.

 

[hiro71]

Okay people I did an water change and added some Flourish root tabs to the substrate and see what happens.
Also going to take some pictures of the tank and post some pics later.

 

[Chesh]

Yay! Can't wait to see some new shots - and hear how this tank grows for you. You're definitely off to a beautiful start!!! ^__^

 

[hiro71]

Here are some pics of the 15 gallon I lost one anubias nana had some kind of fungus and the rhizome melted.
Replaced it with another anubias nana and added a anubias petite in the old anubias location.

Its a bit hard to see the vals in the back but the dwarf sag is growing taller and the java fern is showing some new growth.
I will keep everybody updated on the tank.

 

[hiro71]

Well heres a update I lost one anubias nana and the nana petite it just melted away,but my other two are doing okay.