Do I fertilize a low-light, non-CO2 tank?

[Ms.Bubbles]

I've got a 10 gallon tank with 1.4 watts per gallon of light over it, and no CO2. Plants are mainly java fern windelov, crytocoryne and a little hygrophila polysperma.

My question is do I need to fertilize this tank? The fish load is low--only 1 betta. I'm using a little Flourish Excel every 2nd day, but I'm not sure if the nutrients from fish food for only 1 fish will be enough for the plants.

I've read that fertilizing a low-light tank full of slow-growing plants is a waste of time. Is it? Is there a guideline for how much to fertilize, or is fertilizing mainly a hit-or-miss kind of thing, based on the plant's appearance? I want lush low-light plants, but not algae...

[Ryank327]

well excel is a less efficient form of Co2, so in a snese you do have co2 to a point. IMO id say dose the excel and get some regular flourish and dose it.

[nursie]

yes..check out the fertilizer reccomendations stickey post at the top of the plant forum.

[John N.]

Plenty of people have tanks without the addition of CO2 and ferts. I think with your lighting scheme, and plant and fish load. You'll be safe to try it as well. If you notice any plant defiencies then you can add some ferts. But I think with your plant selection you'll be fine with a low tech/no tech tank.

-John N.