Idiot Questions

[SftWrmRain]

I'm sorry guys - I know you have probably discussed this a million times, but I'm finally at the point where I may be able to soak it in now. I just got started in plants and am trying to learn a step at a time.

Specs:

55 Gallon Heavily Planted (I think?!)
Seachem's Flourite (2 bags) mixed with gravel substrate
Lots of low light plants
2x 65w lighting, 13 hours a day
Ferts: Seachem's Flourish, Excel and Trace as recommended on bottle.

Ok here's my question:

What other fertilizers do I need? I'm using my first bottles of liquid, and I know this isn't the most economical way to go. Help me with where and what to get to replace these, and also what other ferts are NECESSARY to keep my tank in balance and running smoothly.

I'm happy to report that it's almost completely cycled itself in a week with all the plants in there. I'm almost down to no nitrites. So weird that it cycled itself!

A couple pictures of it for reference. Thanks guys!

[maronov]

Planted tanks cycle themselves, that's a great advantage for a new tank. As for fertilizers (including saving money on them): http://www.rexgrigg.com/ - one of the most comprehensive and easy to read guides on planted aquariums.

[Star_Rider]

you wil most likely need CO2..do a search on gregg watson..you can get ferts there.
there is also much about El dosing
are there ifsh in the tank??
0 nitrates may not be good for a planted tank..the plants need a source of
nitrogen and carbon. CO2 provided carbon nitrogen is provided with ferts and bio waste form fish.

judging from your pic I would consider your tank heavily planted.
what type bulbs are in the light?

[SftWrmRain]

you wil most likely need CO2..do a search on gregg watson..you can get ferts there.
there is also much about El dosing
are there ifsh in the tank??
0 nitrates may not be good for a planted tank..the plants need a source of
nitrogen and carbon. CO2 provided carbon nitrogen is provided with ferts and bio waste form fish.

judging from your pic I would consider your tank heavily planted.
what type bulbs are in the light?
I'm almost down to zero nitrItes, not nitrAtes. I appreciate the helpful info! I have 6700K bulbs in there. No fish yet, but will be adding baby female bettas when the girls get big enough (few weeks).

[SftWrmRain]

Planted tanks cycle themselves, that's a great advantage for a new tank. As for fertilizers (including saving money on them): http://www.rexgrigg.com/ - one of the most comprehensive and easy to read guides on planted aquariums.
THANK YOU! :)

[NinjaPirate]

It may actually not be "cycled" in terms of having all the bacteria present, especially if it has only been set up for a week. One of the elements plants consume is Nitrogen. Leafy plants tend to get their nitrogen from nitrAtes, but mosses will get it from NitrItes as well. So I would still spend the full length cycling the tank, even if the numbers appear to show cycled.

On the plus side, that means that a planted tank is less likely to mini-cycle, and can generally support a slightly higher bioload because of the plants.

I personally keep java moss in my betta jars for the very reason that it consumes nitrites in between water changes.

[Mgamer20o0]

you wil most likely need CO2..do a search on gregg watson..you can get ferts there.
there is also much about El dosing
are there ifsh in the tank??
0 nitrates may not be good for a planted tank..the plants need a source of
nitrogen and carbon. CO2 provided carbon nitrogen is provided with ferts and bio waste form fish.

judging from your pic I would consider your tank heavily planted.
what type bulbs are in the light?
for me http://www.gregwatson.com/ dry ferts have been so easy. you need Potassium, Phosphate Nitrate Traces and co2. as stated here http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12585

Seachem's Flourish gives you your trace and Excel gives you liquid co2. i would think about cutting back on how many hours your lights are on. i keep mine on for 10 hours which seems to be working for me others have them on 12 hours. so far your tank looks great.