Basic Fertilization for Newbies

[PaulS]

This whole fertilization thing has me a little confused. Can someone provide me with some simple, basic guidelines on what fertilizers to add and in what quantities (or point me to a good source)? Thanks!

[Jeff120]

Paul,
Take a read through these links

http://www.aquatic-plants.org/articles/ ... intro.html

http://www.rexgrigg.com/ferts.htm

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plan ... e_calc.htm

I am going to do a presentation on fertilizers sometime, I think Sept. August,(its change a few times!) but reading those links should give you an initial dose. If you still have specific questions please ask

[jcali10]

Paul, are you going to be dosing a large or small tank? Do you have high or low light? Are you using pressurized CO2, DIY CO2, no CO2, or Flourish Excel? What is your goal? Is it an easy low maintenace slow growing tank, or a high tech, high light, fast growing tank? There are so many options and so many variables. In this forum there is an article called the "bulletproof tank" that outlines how to set up and care for a relatively easy, inexpensive planted tank.

http://www.gwapa.org/documents/The_Bull ... uarium.pdf

More details are needed if you want better advise. What equipment do you have, what flora, what fauna?

[Ben Belton]

The article on the DFW site actually has an update written, but the slacker hasn't ever gotten it up on the web yet. Maybe one day.

[PaulS]

Thanks for the replies!!! I will definitely read the articles.

Paul, are you going to be dosing a large or small tank? Do you have high or low light? Are you using pressurized CO2, DIY CO2, no CO2, or Flourish Excel? What is your goal?

My tank is a 90 gal with pressurized CO2 and 220 watts of light (2.66 WPG). My goal??? No clue at this point. I'm in the "learn-as-you-go" process. I have a mix of plants, mostly fast growing: Ludwigia repens, Hygro polysperma, Rotala rotundifolia. I also have some Crypts, Lobelia cardinalis, and an Anubias as well as two really nice plants that I can't ID. I occasionaly add Excel, do weekly doses of Flourish and also added some Flourish tabs to the substrate.

I noticed the leaves on my Lobelia Cardianlis are developing holes and are deteriorating and I am not sure why... It is most likely due to deficiencies in certain nutrients. I know I need to start adding ferts and just trying to figure out how to start...

[Aaron]

I would be careful with those Flourish Tabs. Try to only use them under plants that you know you won't be moving for a good solid 3 months time. If you uproot them they can cause havoc with your nutrient levels in the water column.

Are you familiar at all with using dry fertilizers to mix your own? You'll want to start adding nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at some point.

[PaulS]

Are you familiar at all with using dry fertilizers to mix your own? You'll want to start adding nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at some point.

Not yet... I know I need to add those three elements but I'm just not sure of the best way to do it... Any advice would be great! Thanks!!!

[Aaron]

I recommend getting the dry fertilizers and a small scale that measures in grams. You can find little pocket scales on Ebay for about $20.00 that will measure up to 200-500 grams.

The dry fertilizers can be found at http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/ferts.html

You'll want to get:

Potassium Nitrate
Potassium Sulfate
Mono Potassium Phosphate

If you want to try mixing your own micronutrients you can also get CSM+B, but I find the Flourish products are just a little bit nicer and worth the extra money.

You'll also need a storage container and a syringe for dosing. I use those knock-off Nalgene style bottles from Target that are 500 ml.

[PaulS]

Awesome! Thanks! What about aquariumfertilizers.com? I remember someone mentioning that site to me at a meeting...

[Aaron]

That one is fine too, though I believe the link I gave you is a lot cheaper.