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#1
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Fertilizing question
I have a 29 gallon planted tank. The substrate is aquarium gravel over peat
and some laterite for iron. The pH runs in the 6.5 range and the water is SOFT SOFT SOFT. For lighting I have two power compact strips. So light is not really much of a problem. The tank is stocked with small Amazon basin fish (tetras and the like) My question relates to fertilizing the plants. I have noticed that some tend to grow ike weeds (Rotala indica for example) while others are barely holding on (Amazon swords, and anubias). I have been using one of those commercial "aquarium plant supplements" one adds to the water. But I have to admit that I am not all that convinced that this stuff is all that effective. Is root feeding better and, if so, what do you use? Would Jobe's plant spikes work or are they full of phosphate? Anyone have any suggestions? Doug |
#2
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Fertilizing question
For lighting I have two power compact strips.
How much light, in total? If it's two 55W bulbs, then you should be injecting CO2. Though with that pH, it will be tricky. I have noticed that some tend to grow ike weeds (Rotala indica for example) while others are barely holding on (Amazon swords, and anubias). The amazon swords may do better with root tabs. Anubias...a lot of people have trouble keeping them in high-light tanks. They don't compete well against faster-growing plants. I have been using one of those commercial "aquarium plant supplements" one adds to the water. Which one? Is root feeding better and, if so, what do you use? Would Jobe's plant spikes work or are they full of phosphate? I use Flourish tabs and Jobe's. Jobe's *are* full of phosphate, but in a high-light tank, you may need to add phosphate. First off, though, is CO2. All the fertilizer in the world won't make up for not enough CO2. Leigh http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/ |
#3
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Fertilizing question
Try adding some CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) from your LFS (bulk is much
cheaper in Aust) to the water at each 10-20% change to raise the gH from soft-soft-soft to soft-medium-medium(tetras) which is about 100ppm/6dGH , and decent quality baking soda (McKenzies in Australia)(NaHCO3-sodium bicarbonate) to raise the KH and pH. Go easy with the baking soda at each water change to start off with ie a very small pinch/10 litres(2.64G) and work your way up from there if necessary adding the CO2 slowly after your KH is around 4 dKH. As leigh Mo suggested root tabs do wonders for swords as mine nearly doubled leaf width and 25% longer leaves after a month after adding a flourish tab and some Australian brand (Jobes equiv) 'Dinosaur DungÔ' clayball/N:P:K??) hehe. "Doug and Lois" wrote in message .. . I have a 29 gallon planted tank. The substrate is aquarium gravel over peat and some laterite for iron. The pH runs in the 6.5 range and the water is SOFT SOFT SOFT. For lighting I have two power compact strips. So light is not really much of a problem. The tank is stocked with small Amazon basin fish (tetras and the like) My question relates to fertilizing the plants. I have noticed that some tend to grow ike weeds (Rotala indica for example) while others are barely holding on (Amazon swords, and anubias). I have been using one of those commercial "aquarium plant supplements" one adds to the water. But I have to admit that I am not all that convinced that this stuff is all that effective. Is root feeding better and, if so, what do you use? Would Jobe's plant spikes work or are they full of phosphate? Anyone have any suggestions? Doug |
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