This is my first voyage into plants aside from simple java fern. I have a few vals, micro swords, and some rotalia in my 29g. My lighting comes from a 55w PC retrofit from AH Supply. I read the first few posts of the fertilizer sticky and there is a LOT of stuff! Are all of these additives a requirement for a planted tank or is there something that can just get me started? I'm not using CO2 and I may not for a while, but I'd like to get an idea of what will just give my plants a boost and keep them green.
Just starting to plant, what fert(s) is/are a must?
- Thread starter beatle
- Start date
Starting out on using ferts can be quite confusing!
The first thing you need to do is look at your finances! Buying pre-made ferts can get costly. Dry Ferts are alot less exspensive but can get really confusing!
Basically you need something with micro nutrients and some NPK.
I dose Dry ferts & flourish & Excel for micros & carbon.
My 25 Gal:
I use DIY CO2 so there's no need to add Excel
I dose KNO3 + KH2PO4 a few times a week. This takes care of the NPK needs
I dose with Flourish on opposing days which covers the trace/Micros
hope this helps!
-TF
The first thing you need to do is look at your finances! Buying pre-made ferts can get costly. Dry Ferts are alot less exspensive but can get really confusing!
Basically you need something with micro nutrients and some NPK.
I dose Dry ferts & flourish & Excel for micros & carbon.
My 25 Gal:
I use DIY CO2 so there's no need to add Excel
I dose KNO3 + KH2PO4 a few times a week. This takes care of the NPK needs
I dose with Flourish on opposing days which covers the trace/Micros
hope this helps!
-TF
You should really consider CO2. A DIY setup would be relatively easy and inexpensive. You have about 2 wpg of lighting, and adding ferts to that without CO2 is only going to help the algae.
As to your specific question, there isn't really that much. You need to add N, K, P and micronutrients, so that is only four things. You can try using everyday products like Fleet and stump remover that are listed in the sticky, but dry ferts from Greg Watson are pretty cheap and easier to dose imo. Use something like Chuck Gadd's fertilizer calculator to calculate dosages. Then a simple bottle of Flourish for micros and you are set.
As to your specific question, there isn't really that much. You need to add N, K, P and micronutrients, so that is only four things. You can try using everyday products like Fleet and stump remover that are listed in the sticky, but dry ferts from Greg Watson are pretty cheap and easier to dose imo. Use something like Chuck Gadd's fertilizer calculator to calculate dosages. Then a simple bottle of Flourish for micros and you are set.
Let us not forget Tom Barr's EI Dosing method...
Estimative Index Dosing Guide
This one is really easy to understand!
PEACE!
-TF
Estimative Index Dosing Guide
This one is really easy to understand!
PEACE!
-TF
Tom's EI will give you a dosing schedule and recommended concentrations, Chuck Gadd's site will let you calculate how much of your ingredients to add to reach those concentrations.
beatle said:
looks like you are well on your way with that lighting setup for planted. To make things simple (i was just as confused when i started a month ago), you need:
1) 3 Macro:
a) Seachem Flourish Nitrogen (provides Nitrate)
b) Seachem Flourish Potassium
c) Seachem Flourish Phosphorus
2) Micro - Seachem Flourish (provides micro & all purpose nutrients)
3) CO2 - get a diy type co2 generator like the Turbo CO2 Bio System
with those, it should provide your plants with all the basic requirements. As you become more experienced & learn more, can start:
1) replace the seachem plantcare product line with much cheaper dry ferts (mix with water yourself).
2) replace the CO2 sys with the more expensive pressurized canister system
3) instead of generic dose per the instructed amount, dose per the need of your tank.
You are definitly off to a good start with the ahsupply lighting sys.
I guess one thing I wondered was why there were so many products and not an "all-in-one" bottle that contained these "macro" and "micro." I see from Seachem's site that they advise Flourish as a "broad spectrum" fert which can then be supplemented by Flourish Fe, K, P, N, and Excel. Do I really need to add those individual macro ferts when just starting out? It seems like a lot to buy initially, even if I go the cheap route with stump remover and Fleet.
From what I gather, Excel seems to be a simple way to add carbon if I'm not going to go CO2 just yet. Is this another "must have" if I'm not doing a CO2 system? I've read a couple threads where people suffocate their fish with CO2 (DIY or canister) by not doing it properly, and right now I'm still more into fish than plants.
I'm not trying to cheap out on planting my tank, I just want to take a few baby steps.
From what I gather, Excel seems to be a simple way to add carbon if I'm not going to go CO2 just yet. Is this another "must have" if I'm not doing a CO2 system? I've read a couple threads where people suffocate their fish with CO2 (DIY or canister) by not doing it properly, and right now I'm still more into fish than plants.
I'm not trying to cheap out on planting my tank, I just want to take a few baby steps.
1) micro nutrients do come in 1 package (ie: flourish). Macro are separated because most people dose each differently. Some tanks require higher nitrate, some require low nitrate but higher potassium etc. It gives you the control over the 3 key nutrients.
2) Do not use excel, it killed all my anacharis, and you have Vals. They wil be affected negatively as well.
3) CO2 will benefit any plants quite significantly, promoting growth and look healthier. I would say it's a must for any serious planted tank. Those diy type co2 package only costs around 20 bucks. Well worth it to try it out and they work quite good too.
ps what kind of substrate you have?
2) Do not use excel, it killed all my anacharis, and you have Vals. They wil be affected negatively as well.
3) CO2 will benefit any plants quite significantly, promoting growth and look healthier. I would say it's a must for any serious planted tank. Those diy type co2 package only costs around 20 bucks. Well worth it to try it out and they work quite good too.
ps what kind of substrate you have?
beatle said:I'm not trying to cheap out on planting my tank, I just want to take a few baby steps.
The best thing to do to start out if you want to get a feel for live plants is this.
start with the baisc easy care plants like Anubias, Java Fern, and Wendtii Crypts.
Next, get a bottle of Flourish & a bottle of Flourish Excel
run with those for a month dosing as recommended on the bottle performing your water changes, and check the plant growth. you'll also want to check leaves and such for potential defficiencies. Iron is prolly the most common thing that is missing.
See how things are after 1 month and then perhaps re-visit further ferts. Also, this will give you a chance to research and learn more about ferts and what plants you'll want to add down the road as well as look into DIY CO2 setup.
Research and don't be afraid to ask questions if something is confusing, we've all done it.
Hope this helps! :cool2:
-TF