What ferts should I use in my tank?

[Thesmilingfish]

So I recently changed my lights and substrate in my 16 gallon because I really want a nice planted tank, and I just added my first few plants ( some dwarf chain sword, java fern, and an anubias barteri) and I was wondering if I should start using some ferts after awhile ( I read your supposed to wait like 4 weeks or so) and if so what kind?

[Hoppy]

I assume you want your plants to grow and be healthy from the first day you plant them. That means you want to provide everything the plants need to grow well, right from the start, not 4 weeks later, after they have begun to starve and die. If you look at the list of threads for this forum, the first one is Fertilizer and Water Parameter FAQ's. Click that, and the first thing you see is a link to a thread on dosing fertilizers. There is where the answer about what to dose is.

[Thesmilingfish]

I looked at that and it's really confusing, where am I supposed to get that stuff? I was just hoping for like a brand that might in combination with some others cover all the basics

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by Thesmilingfish

I looked at that and it's really confusing, where am I supposed to get that stuff? I was just hoping for like a brand that might in combination with some others cover all the basics

The chemicals can be purchased from a local hydroponics store and/or online.

Once you learn the basics of EI, you will realize that the chemicals are much more affordable than commercially available fertilizers, and quite a bit easier than you may have initially thought.

[Thesmilingfish]

Thanks, I just bought some online, but I just have one more question, with the trace elements are you supposed to add tbsp of the two separately or mix them together and only do a half tbsp of each ( per 250 ml water)???????

[owens81jw]

THERE's a member Nilcog that sells dry ferts
tell him your set up n he will give u what u need

[owens81jw]

Originally Posted by Thesmilingfish

Thanks, I just bought some online, but I just have one more question, with the trace elements are you supposed to add tbsp of the two separately or mix them together and only do a half tbsp of each ( per 250 ml water)???????

are you trying to turn the dry ferts into a liquid mix?

[Thesmilingfish]

No? I just don't know what it wants me to do when it says Mixing Trace Element and Iron, Plantex CSM+B,
Fe/Iron Chelate 10%- mix 1Tbsp per 250ml water-
one cap full=5ml
Is it just one 1 table spoon from each?

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by Thesmilingfish

No? I just don't know what it wants me to do when it says Mixing Trace Element and Iron, Plantex CSM+B,
Fe/Iron Chelate 10%- mix 1Tbsp per 250ml water-
one cap full=5ml
Is it just one 1 table spoon from each?

If you are adding water, then you are doing liquid dosing. The instructions you have posted are for liquid dosing.

There is dry dosing as well, if you wish to go that route.

Using just Plantex CSM+B is fine too.

[owens81jw]

Originally Posted by Thesmilingfish

No? I just don't know what it wants me to do when it says Mixing Trace Element and Iron, Plantex CSM+B,
Fe/Iron Chelate 10%- mix 1Tbsp per 250ml water-
one cap full=5ml
Is it just one 1 table spoon from each?

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=21944

[Thesmilingfish]

I know, I've read it

[Darkblade48]

Sometimes, it is easier to do a Google Search for things (such as Estimative Index) and get it straight from the source (Tom Barr's forum).

10- 20 Gallon Aquariums
+/- 1/8 tsp KNO3 (N) 3x a week
+/- 1/32 tsp KH2PO4 (P) 3x a week
+/- 1/4 tsp GH booster once a week(water change only)
+/- 1/32 tsp (2ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change

The 2 mL volume is if you are mixing it up as a liquid. 1 teaspoon per 64 mL of water.

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon per 192 mL of water.

The 250 mL of water is slightly more dilute, but should work as well.

EI dosing was not meant to be extremely accurate.

[Thesmilingfish]

Oh, thank you! That makes a lot more sense!