What's the verdict on liquid fertilizer in a low-tech set up?

Oscar17 · 12-09-2007, 02:57 PM

I have a question about liquid fertilizer in a low-tech (no CO2) set up. I read that there is no need for liquid fertilizer in a low-tech set up. I went by this and did not use liquid fertilzer until my last two water changes. I've actually noticed my plants perking up and growing new shoots. What's the verdict on liquid fertilizer in a low-tech set up? Use it, don't use it, use it sparingly...?

Tank: 33 gallon (almost heavly planted, not there yet). No CO2 not even liquid. European water (pH 8.0 to 8.3 out of the tap). Tank pH 7.6 to 7.9 (depending on time of daylight period). KH 7. Dupla Root substrate fertilizer. Two 59 cm long tubes (one daylight, one warmlight) with reflectors. The Juwel-Rio 125 light canopy comes with water proof end caps and light fixures so that the bulbs can safely sit just two inches above the water.

Plants: Anubias nana, Althernanthera sessilis, Bacopa aquatica, Bacopa monnieri, Crypt. wendtii, Crypt. walkerii, Crypt x. willisii, Hygrophila difformis, Nomaphila agustifolia, Java Fern and Java Moss.

Live occupants: 13 adult Guppies, about 20 dwarf blue shrimp (adult size 3/4 inch), 5 young (3 or 4 month old) Guppies, Many guppy and shrimp fry and of course the tiny snails (hope they're the good ones).

Tank is 9 months old but some of the plants are only 2 or 3 months old.

Thanks! comments welcomed.

**Urkevitz** · 12-09-2007, 03:27 PM

Some say do and some say do not. I went a long time without using ferts in my low tech tank.

I just started using 10ml of Pmdd a week and it doesn't seem to be hurting anything.

bsmith · 12-09-2007, 03:41 PM

some people do not dose any fertz because they get what they need in thier water from the tap, others arent so lucky. its deffinantly not going to hurt anything as long as your not going crazy with it.

Oscar17 · 12-09-2007, 04:05 PM

Thanks guys, that's about the feeling I had. Use sparingly I imagine especially in a low-tech with no CO2. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on my plants and see what works best.

kzr750r1 · 12-09-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar17

Thanks guys, that's about the feeling I had. Use sparingly I imagine especially in a low-tech with no CO2. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on my plants and see what works best.

That's the biggest key. Watch the plants and see if they improve with more ferts. As others have said don't over do it. Stay consistent so you have some bench mark of improvement. Wild swings in minerals don't allow the plants to acclimate well to what is available.

bastalker · 12-09-2007, 07:02 PM

If they are all slow growing plants, the tap water, fish food, waste etc...is enough. Some of your plants are pretty fast growers. I would prolly add ferts sparingly an see what happens. You can always back off the ferts if things look like they wanna change for the worst.

tc
Mark

dekstr · 12-09-2007, 07:54 PM

Well I say it doesn't hurt to dose sparingly.

If you have a generous bioload and feed generously, plants should get all the nutrients they need. But light dosing once every 1-2 weeks will help with any nutrient limitations.

12-09-2007, 02:57 PM	#1
Oscar17 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 157	What's the verdict on liquid fertilizer in a low-tech set up? I have a question about liquid fertilizer in a low-tech (no CO2) set up. I read that there is no need for liquid fertilizer in a low-tech set up. I went by this and did not use liquid fertilzer until my last two water changes. I've actually noticed my plants perking up and growing new shoots. What's the verdict on liquid fertilizer in a low-tech set up? Use it, don't use it, use it sparingly...? Tank: 33 gallon (almost heavly planted, not there yet). No CO2 not even liquid. European water (pH 8.0 to 8.3 out of the tap). Tank pH 7.6 to 7.9 (depending on time of daylight period). KH 7. Dupla Root substrate fertilizer. Two 59 cm long tubes (one daylight, one warmlight) with reflectors. The Juwel-Rio 125 light canopy comes with water proof end caps and light fixures so that the bulbs can safely sit just two inches above the water. Plants: Anubias nana, Althernanthera sessilis, Bacopa aquatica, Bacopa monnieri, Crypt. wendtii, Crypt. walkerii, Crypt x. willisii, Hygrophila difformis, Nomaphila agustifolia, Java Fern and Java Moss. Live occupants: 13 adult Guppies, about 20 dwarf blue shrimp (adult size 3/4 inch), 5 young (3 or 4 month old) Guppies, Many guppy and shrimp fry and of course the tiny snails (hope they're the good ones). Tank is 9 months old but some of the plants are only 2 or 3 months old. Thanks! comments welcomed.

12-09-2007, 03:41 PM	#3
bsmith Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (278/99%) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St.Louis, MO Posts: 9,058	some people do not dose any fertz because they get what they need in thier water from the tap, others arent so lucky. its deffinantly not going to hurt anything as long as your not going crazy with it. __________________ L183's 60-p Crypt/CRS Playground Appalachian Allure S.Barbatus & Black C. Schultzei breeding tank

12-09-2007, 07:02 PM	#6
bastalker Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mystic, Ct. Posts: 853	If they are all slow growing plants, the tap water, fish food, waste etc...is enough. Some of your plants are pretty fast growers. I would prolly add ferts sparingly an see what happens. You can always back off the ferts if things look like they wanna change for the worst. tc Mark __________________ Filstar Pimp #18 My 125G Wild Green discus tank

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-09-2007, 03:27 PM	#2
Urkevitz Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,866	Some say do and some say do not. I went a long time without using ferts in my low tech tank. I just started using 10ml of Pmdd a week and it doesn't seem to be hurting anything.

12-09-2007, 04:05 PM	#4
Oscar17 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 157	Thanks guys, that's about the feeling I had. Use sparingly I imagine especially in a low-tech with no CO2. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on my plants and see what works best.

12-09-2007, 07:54 PM	#7
dekstr Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,168	Well I say it doesn't hurt to dose sparingly. If you have a generous bioload and feed generously, plants should get all the nutrients they need. But light dosing once every 1-2 weeks will help with any nutrient limitations.