[mosasaur]

For the first time, I am going hi-tech. I am setting up a 25G tank with a sand substrate; the sand is a local product, it may have a bit of iron in it and the rockwork does have iron hydroxide staining. The water is moderately hard with calcium carbonate, but otherwise is very devoid of minerals and metals. I plan to give the plants 3 wpg lighting and set up a DIY CO2 reactor. What kind of fertilizer do y'all recommend?

Some of you may want to recommend a different substrate, but I have decided on the sand, for better or worse. Believe me, I spent a lot of time thinking on that!

 

[sollie7]

defiantly iron- Ill let everyone else say the rest

 

[mosasaur]

The only fert available locally is API's Leafzone: 0-0-3, with 0.1% chelated iron.

 

[Anupam]

Dry ferts. Buy online for several years worth of supply - then dissolve in distilled water to have known strength solutions.

 

[bradac56]

If you go with diy ferts the best two online stores are { http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/in...ditU=1&Regit=2 } and { http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/aq...ertilizer.html } and what you need is:

KN03
KH2P04
K2SO4
Trace (CSM+B)

Optional but good stuff:
GH booster (only used after a large WC)
Iron Chelate 10% (if you need extra iron for finicky plants)

If you would like to look into a better commercial fert then I'd recommend pfertz.com's NPK+M set for the price (compared to the Seachem and API lines, it lasts much longer in my usage) and it's very easy to order online.

- Brad

 

[mosasaur]

Thanks, that is very helpful!