Fertilization
Fertilization
I just started a 105g planted aquarium. I am running 250w 8k de mh lights and have a pressurized CO2 system with a reactor on the system. I set the tank up with Fluval Stratum Substrate. I just planted about 60% of the aquarium and was wondering if I need to dose any fertilizers at this time.
TomD
Re: Fertilization
I haven't used Fluval stratum, but with most of the planted substrates there's a gradual period of decline where the nutrients in the bag run out, so you need to start supplementing them. Your MH lights are going to drive that process faster than lesser lights though due to the amount of light, and the higher temperature they're likely making the tank.
Nevertheless, for right now, I wouldn't dose anything. Watch how the plants are growing. If you see any deficiencies, smaller leaves, etc, you may want to start dosing a trace mixture like Seachem Flourish. If you do that, and the plants just don't seem to be responding/growing or you're getting algae (other then diatoms or staghorn), then you may want to look into dosing potassium, as that's often the first macro nutrient deficient in these substrates. Finally, you will start dosing nitrate and phosphate for macro nutrients. Here is a link with a bunch of algae pictures for IDing:
http://www.guitarfish.org/algae
The idea behind this is that you let the substrate deplete it's nutrients so that when you start, you know exactly what's going into the tank, without having to balance out what's coming from the substrate. I usually do this, without small water changes to allow the bacterial colonies to form at the same time without too much interruption. An alternative approach is to just start dosing in full right away, and doing lots of water changes to frequently reset the water parameters and avoid fertilizer build-up. I've seen it work both ways.
Nevertheless, for right now, I wouldn't dose anything. Watch how the plants are growing. If you see any deficiencies, smaller leaves, etc, you may want to start dosing a trace mixture like Seachem Flourish. If you do that, and the plants just don't seem to be responding/growing or you're getting algae (other then diatoms or staghorn), then you may want to look into dosing potassium, as that's often the first macro nutrient deficient in these substrates. Finally, you will start dosing nitrate and phosphate for macro nutrients. Here is a link with a bunch of algae pictures for IDing:
http://www.guitarfish.org/algae
The idea behind this is that you let the substrate deplete it's nutrients so that when you start, you know exactly what's going into the tank, without having to balance out what's coming from the substrate. I usually do this, without small water changes to allow the bacterial colonies to form at the same time without too much interruption. An alternative approach is to just start dosing in full right away, and doing lots of water changes to frequently reset the water parameters and avoid fertilizer build-up. I've seen it work both ways.
Re: Fertilization
I tried the Fluval Shrimp substrate and it was almost void of any nutrients and I had to start dosing in less than a month, I haven't tried their plant substrate but it would have to be much better or at least I would hope so.
Kris when you say to start dosing K do you mean Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4)?
Kris when you say to start dosing K do you mean Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4)?
Sincerely,
Tim
Tim
Re: Fertilization
Sorry for the late response -- just got back from the AGA... Yes, for K, I use K2SO4. But, once I start dosing KNO3 and KH2PO4, I don't bother with the K2SO4 any longer.
