Help me with ferts

[clb2196]

So I have a moderately planted 29 gallon- the big plants are swords, some anubia, java moss, what I think is ludwiga repens, and a few other assorted plants I got in a package from someone here. I have about 2.4 WPG. What should I be doing as far as ferts? A lot of the info I've been looking at assumes you're using Co2, which I'm not. I was told I wouldn't need to, but if it would make a big difference I'd be willing to.

 

[tackful]

For a fertilizer dosing routine, you might check out the EI Index, by Tom Barr, I believe. As for C02, DIY is really not hard. Under DIY C02 you can find all the information you need.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

I am assuming that you have 55watts of PCF lighting.
To have a healthy planted tank IMO and experience you will have to supplement a carbon source for the plants, Seachem Excel since you do not inject Co2.

Going this route would require a shorter photoperiod.
As far as ferts. you may be able to get away with Flourish Comprehensive and some Iron. IDK-Check your local water districts website for a water quality report. If you are using tap water.

Here are some bare minimum numbers to use as a guideline.
Target for Nitrate = 10 mg/l
Target for potassium is 20 mg/l
Target range for phosphate is 1/2 to 1 mg/l
Target for Calcium = 10+ mg/l
Target for Fe = 0.1 to 0.2 mg/l

 

[clb2196]

I am assuming that you have 55watts of PCF lighting.
To have a healthy planted tank IMO and experience you will have to supplement a carbon source for the plants, Seachem Excel since you do not inject Co2.

Going this route would require a shorter photoperiod.
As far as ferts. you may be able to get away with Flourish Comprehensive and some Iron. IDK-Check your local water districts website for a water quality report. If you are using tap water.

Here are some bare minimum numbers to use as a guideline.
Target for Nitrate = 10 mg/l
Target for potassium is 20 mg/l
Target range for phosphate is 1/2 to 1 mg/l
Target for Calcium = 10+ mg/l
Target for Fe = 0.1 to 0.2 mg/l

I have 2x 36 CF lights. Also a 36 watt actinic (used to be a reef tank), but it's not being used now.

I was planning on using Flourish Excel. I can do DIY Co2 if I need to, but the tank is a bioCube, and I'm not really sure how to get the airline tube into the tank?

I do use tap water, it's city water, and I can check the report. If I use Flourish Comprehensive and Iron, would that take care of most of those targets? Do I need a test kit to measure those?

 

[tidioute06]

http://www.rexgrigg.com/
Great site for everything you could possiblly want to know about ferts.
also try http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/

 

[Fordtrannyman]

I have 2x 36 CF lights. Also a 36 watt actinic (used to be a reef tank), but it's not being used now.

I was planning on using Flourish Excel. I can do DIY Co2 if I need to, but the tank is a bioCube, and I'm not really sure how to get the airline tube into the tank?

I do use tap water, it's city water, and I can check the report. If I use Flourish Comprehensive and Iron, would that take care of most of those targets? Do I need a test kit to measure those?

Spiral CF's or Power CF's? If they're spirals the wpg is going to be much less IME. It's still a good amount for what you are doing.

I would encourage DIY co2. The results are are much more rewarding.
I'm sure there an inconspicuous location you could drill a hole for tubing.

I measured in the beginning to figure out plant uptakes, but it's really not very accurate when using these cheap test kits offered to hobbyists.

It's possible a little Comprehensive may be enough. The only reason I through in Iron is because it may not be in the report and Anubias sp. really like it. Dosing it per Seachem and weekly WC's can do no harm.
You may even find it adventitious to get some dry ferts and make dilutions.
That eliminates the guessing games.

 

[phanmc]

The Biocube uses straight CF bulbs, so the tank's over 2wpg. Excel is ok but CO2 injection will be better.

There should be a wiring slot somewhere on the back of the hood for stuff like heater cables so see if it will fit an airline.

Flourish comprehensive will not add enough nitrates, potassium, or phosphates for this light level. Your options are to pick up the other Seachem macro products (Flourish Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus) or learn to use dry fertilizers from aquariumfertilizer.com or rexgrigg.com. They are basically the same stuff but you pay for water with the Seachem brand.

 

[The Zigman]

Avoid cheap beer, and beans ...

Oh.. FERTS?!? My bad... Sorry...
You can get test kits to check the levels of nutrients in your tank.
I check Phosphates, Nitrates Iron, and potassium.
I dose according to my test results... And try to keep the levels in their respective target ranges.

Now, about that chili...

 

[clb2196]

Thanks guys.

I will try the Co2. It might fit in the slot on the right that the heater cord is in, if not, I think I can expand the slot a little pretty easily.

I'm going to check out the dry ferts, too, I don't mind mixing myself. Any recs as far as which test kits are good?

 

[James0816]

I started out by using the PMDD pre mix from AquariumFertilizer.com. When I had to start adding Phosphates, I decided to check into the EI dosing at that time. So far it is working pretty good if I must say.