All chemicals and suppliments?

[ashman8080]

Which chemicals/supplements will i need to start a planted tank? I want to start several of my plants just immersed for now.

[lg0815]

maybe excel not sure though florish too and root tabs wouldnt hurt that much i dont think


what do the rest of u think

[szunker]

Hi,

I would start with a starter fertilizer pack from : http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/ or http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/ or http://www.rexgrigg.com/ferts.htm
Then start reading the posts relating to "dosing/fertilization" also read posts in "lighting" and "substrate", Co2 is a great addition to a planted tank. All great information you can't go wrong.

[smp]

+1 on the above. Also asked a lot of questions and got a lot of good help from the excellent people here.

[Hoppy]

If you want to start a Walstad type el natural tank, you won't need any chemicals or supplements. But, if you want to start a high light tank, with pressurized CO2, you will want potassium nitrate, mono potassium phosphate, a trace element mix, such as CSM+B, a GH builder, such as Seachem Equilibrium, and perhaps some Excel. In between those extremes are several other options, including using a nutrient rich substrate and little or no water fertilizing.

First, decide if you are willing and able to provide the maintenance a high light tank needs, and if you want to try that. Or if you want something that is low maintenance, where you spend more time just enjoying the tank and not constantly working on it.

[NJAquaBarren]

Hoppy is dead on.

My only two cents is that if you go the non-natural route, dosing with Pfertz products is less expensive and more effective than Flourish and similar products IME. Dry fertz are least expensive, but in the beginning, as your're learning, a commercial product can be a good, foolproof starting point. And don't forget root tabs.