Questions for a low-light setup on water conditions and fertilizing...

[GobyGuy5]

I'm about to begin planting my 15 Gallon tank (24"X12"X12"), something that’s been in the works for a while now, and the plants are on their way. I was planning on doing a low-light tank with a single tube, 15 watt light. I did plan on giving my lighting a little boost by installing AH supply's nice reflector, which I guess would leave me with the equivalent of about 1.5 wpg.

Here’s my stocking list:

-Dwarf Sag.
-Ozelot Sword
-Hygrophilia Polysperma
-Vallisneria v. ‘Jungle’
-Duckweed
-Java Fern
-Banana Plant

My water, (which goes through a water softener) has a pH of about 8 with a KH of around 20 dH and near zero GH. I know that pH affects CO2 levels, which I hope to overcome by using Flourish Excel, but could the KH alone also cause problems?

Finally After Reading the Excellent Sticky above about fertilizing, (I complement the author on an excellent job) I’ve came to the conclusion that if I want a tank with nice, lush looking plants and no algae, I should fertilize with the following:

Flourish Potassium
Flourish Phosphorus
Flourish (Traces)
Flourish Excel (Carbon)
Flourish Root Tabs (For Rooted Plants)
Flourish Iron

I’d like to hear some advice on dosing for my tank, if I need any other fertilizers, and anything else I may have overlooked or need to correct. I want to do things right the first time around!

Thanks in advance, :) AC is awesome!

EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to mention I have natural pea gravel with laterite mixed in as a substate...

[Shiftaltumlock]

I think the Vals, Sags and Bannana plants could use a bit more light. Maybe 2 wpg if possible.

As far as fertilizer goes; you left out the Flourish leaf supliment and the Nitrate. I have never used Seachem Phosphorus. I have trace amounts of this in my water allready. You may also.

Flourish Trace is not really needed if you do your weekly 50% water change.

I double dose all my ferts 2 times a week because I have 4.5 wpg with Co2. In you case, I would follow the instructions on the bottle. As for the Nitrate(Stump remover); Dose to 5 to 7 ppm and keep it constant.

Yes,Co2 is the driving force behind pH. But I am not sure that Excel will make your pH change any. I think the carbon in Excel is introduced to the plants in a different way. Someone correct me if I am wrong here.

[GobyGuy5]

I think the Vals, Sags and Bannana plants could use a bit more light. Maybe 2 wpg if possible.

I already have the Banana Plant in my aquarium, It's made it for a year and continues to do so, although I must confess it is not exactly thriving hence the reflector's light boost...and the fertilizers listed...The Java Fern's already in there too, but it's doing just fine as it is. However, since my experience with plants is limited, I'll ask everyone's opinion on this one, Is even more light needed for this setup to work well? (My definition of well is that the plants all look pretty nice, not perfect but nice and green, and no algae!)

As far as fertilizer goes; you left out the Flourish leaf supliment and the Nitrate.

I wasn't aware of a Flourish leaf suppliment, but I figured Nitrate was easy enough, considering I have a fairly heavy bioload in my tank, and could always feed a little extra :D On the leaf suppliment, would this help my plants considering all he other stuff I have listed?

Flourish Trace is not really needed if you do your weekly 50% water change.

I would think it is for me because I've been mixing RO water and tap water in order to lower the pH in my tank (I'm beginning to suspect I overlooked a couple of rocks in my decor, and should remove them...because it's still pretty high)

On my pH, I didn't expect the Excel to alter it, but I expected it to provide the plants with the carbon they need since a pH of 8 would normally hinder this...