Fertilizer Question

[djlen]

I would use it according to the directions and test your N and P to see how they hold up over the course of a week before decreasing or increasing possibly at mid-week.
I think the three most important test kits to have and use regularly until you learn your tank are pH,N and P.
Keep in mind the importance of your weekly water change.

Len

 

[Canuck]

Not that I can actually add anything to what has already been said, but I have used it in my tank. Works fine, but as pointed out in the long run it is much cheaper to go with the chemicals. In my tank, the N seems to be consumed at a greater rate then the P, but this may be an individual tank thing, and as long as you regularly "reset" the tank, shouldn't cause you any problems.

HTH

 

[Captain Hook]

Canuck thanks for the added input. I realize this NPK fert is more expensive than individual chemicals and when it runs out that is what I plan on using.

Len I think I will just try the dosage specified like you said. I am going to do a water change tonite and add Flourish and some of this stuff. Right now I have a Tetra test kit that has ph, KH, GH, NO2 (nitrite) and NH3/NH4 (ammonia). Do you think it would be worthwhile to look into N and P test kits? That seems like a lot of work to be honest. I am still trying to keep this tank low-mid level maintenance.

 

[promethean_sprk]

test kits

I wouldn't bother with the P, too much of it and you'll know from the algae. Peek at your plants once a day and monitor their growth, if they're growing fine just keep doing what you're doing. With a fair amount of fish, and less than 3 wpg I wouldn't expect phosphate to be too low.

A nitrate test might be good, but most test kits have 20ppm graduations, which is kind of coarse.

 

[Captain Hook]

I don't see much point in buying a nitrate kit if they are 20 ppm increments like you say. I added about 4 mL of Flourish and 10 mL of the NPK fertilizer after a 20% water change.

 

[djlen]

AP makes a pretty decent Nitrate test kit and the ppm increments are in 5ppm.
Phosphate kits are not as accurate as some of the others, but I use a Hagen PO4 kit occasionally and it helps me keep track of changes, and really helped early on when setting up and breaking in a new tank.
I guess it's up to the individual, but I wouldn't be without either of them.
I'd never want to tell that I had to much P by waiting for an algae bloom.

Len