Need Fert Suggestions For 55G Planted

Riso-chan

Riso-chan

The Blue Girl
Jan 17, 2005
322
0
0
41
Florida, USA
Okay, I've done some reading on ferts and trace elements here and on the krib, etc. One thing I read that surprised me, was that Aquasafe binds some of the trace metals, making them unavailable to the plants.

I wanted to know what would give me the best results for my plant growth, because I've run into a bit of a stop in plant growth again.

Now, I know it is unlikely that is an issue of lighting or CO2, because my lighting is around 1.5wpg and I have the filter flow-rate at a trickle. Barely a disturbance on the water surface, and there is a canopy over the tank, which prevents the escape of CO2 gas.

I have some of the easier to grow plants, so I don't think this should be too much of a chellenge, but one I'm willing to take on. Lately, I've been using Mydor's 'Green and Grow' liquid fertilizer. I don't know if it's working much, that's why I'm posting here to find out from more experience aquatic gardener's what are the best ferts to use for my situation.

I'm looking for a liquid fert that possibly has most of the trace elements my plants need, as well as suggestions on what to do about my rooted plants, the anubias and crypts. For complete info on the fish load/ plant species/ tank size/ etc., all are listed in my sig. Thanx ~Angela
 
Update

I woke up this morning, and my horwart seems to have had a few growth spurts within the last few days. The other thing I've noticed is since I lowered the flow rate of my filter the other plants have grown a bit more as well, though not as fast. While I know they are slow growers, I would like to add ferts for them so they're getting what they need from the water column. There is a decent amount of fish mulm for the rooted plants, but I'm not completely sure it has all the nutrients they need. I know I could have lush growth in time with these low-lighters, but I think what is needed in my tank is added nutrients to help with that growth rate.
 
What size tank? How much ferts are you adding? Water changes? How much and how often? What are your other parameters: Ph, Gh, kh......
 
charby said:
What size tank? How much ferts are you adding? Water changes? How much and how often? What are your other parameters: Ph, Gh, kh......
Click to expand...

55 gallon.

I mixed some laterite (maybe 16- onces.) in the gravel to help the rooted plants a few months back.
The other fert I'm currently using for the water column is MYDOR's Green and Grow, and dosed it at 5 drops for every 10 gallons, which is 25 drops for my tank. I have been doing this for about 2-3 times a week.

Water changes are done weekly, I regularly do about ten or more gallons.

Water Parameters are as follows:

PH= 8.0
Nitrate= 30ppm
Nitrite= 0ppm
GH= 300ppm
KH= 300ppm
Ammonia= 0ppm
 
You`ve got plants that generally grow slowly.(with a few exceptions) I`m not familiar with the ferts you`re using but check the bottle to see if they are strictly micro nutrients or if it contains phosphorus and potassium. If not, you may want to think about supplementing them. Flourish by Seachem is probably the cheapest next to rolling your own and of good quality.

You say that there is little chance for co2 to escape but are you adding it to the tank?
 
No, I don't add CO2. I guess I'd e a little nervous to because if it's done incorrectly it could kill off my fish. The other reason is I don't have enough room in or outside of the tank to do the DIY method. I guss I'll just have to sit back and be patient. The plants seem to be doing fine without it, but I'm sure it would help. The fert I'm using says it contains both macro and micro nutrients. It has soluble potash(K2O) in its formula, and in the ingredient list it has printed "Potash from potassium iodide, potassium chloride and potassium thiosulfate". It is phosphate and nitrate free.

I'll List the garanteed analaysis on the back of the bottle so you can see what you think.

Total Nitrogen=0.10%
0.10% Urea nitrogen
Soluble Potash=0.10%
Calcium=0.002%
Magnesium=0.002%
Sulfur=0.006%
Boron=0.003%
Chlorine=0.009%
Cobalt=0.006%
Copper=0.001%
Iron=0.009%
Manganese=0.002%
Molybdenum=0.007%
Sodium=0.013%
Zinc=0.002%

If you want me to list the ingredients, just ask. BTW, this fert is made right here in my state of FL. The address is in Ft. Lauderdale.
 
Your fert does contain macros. Hardly enough to speak of though. The nitrogen is in the form or urea (highly poisonous to fish and a great way to get algae) but the amount in it isn`t much. It`s got an equal amount of potassium.

The fact that your nitrates are so high without dosing (other than the nitrogen) would lead to the idea that you are also getting plenty of phosphorus from the same source.(Likely decaying food etc.)

The fact that you have slow growing plants (mostly) and no co2(5.04ppm), it almost seems normal that your plants are growing slowly.

You may want to try adding some potassium. That should round out your macros quite nicely. Up your amount of micros you`re currently adding (watch out with that urea) and see what happens.

Slow growth = less time pruning= more time in the sun :dance:
 
Thanks! So I'll get the Seachem Flourish Potassium, I was also thinking about getting the Flourish as that contains the same nutrients I need. Doyou think that those ferts would be safer with my fish? I had no idea urea was poisonous to fish, let alone what it is.
 
Flourish has a really good line-up. If you're going to order a few things from them, you may want to try Excel. It's a source of carbon that gives close to the same benefit as co2 without the headaches. You may want to try a diy system for a few weeks too; just to see if it's worth it.

I'm not guaranteeing that you'll see remarkable growth with these changes. After all, the lighting tou have shouldn't be pushing these plants to grow very quickly, which should put less demands on ferts. It will be a step in the right direction though. And you can't argue with that!
 
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