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126 Posts
I've got a 50 gallon low-tech, dirted tank. The dirt seems to have been depleted some time ago, and most of my plants are heavy root feeders. When I first started getting deficiency symptoms I used the Osmocote+ root tab sampler I got, as well as a weekly dosing of Seachem Flourish, but now that both are almost gone, I thought it might be time to ask about different fertilizing methods, because I really have no idea what I'm doing.
The tank was suppose to be a Walstad, almost maintenance free tank, but alas, it's become a bigger project than anticipated!
So, my question is basically how do you suggest I continue dosing my tank? Continue my previous method? Switch to dry ferts? Use only root tabs?
I'm not sure all what goes with fertilizing either. I know most people suggest water changes to take out excessive nutrients, but I'll be honest, I hardly ever do WC on this tank. I don't because our heated water goes through a softener (so I don't use it) and our hard water is freezing and needs to sit out to be brought up to temp (a hassle), plus every time I test it the Nitrates are at or close to 0ppm. I haven't noticed any symptoms of toxicity. So... am I doing something really wrong?
I just need a step by step as to what I should be doing here, or someone to point me in the right direction.
The tank was suppose to be a Walstad, almost maintenance free tank, but alas, it's become a bigger project than anticipated!
So, my question is basically how do you suggest I continue dosing my tank? Continue my previous method? Switch to dry ferts? Use only root tabs?
I'm not sure all what goes with fertilizing either. I know most people suggest water changes to take out excessive nutrients, but I'll be honest, I hardly ever do WC on this tank. I don't because our heated water goes through a softener (so I don't use it) and our hard water is freezing and needs to sit out to be brought up to temp (a hassle), plus every time I test it the Nitrates are at or close to 0ppm. I haven't noticed any symptoms of toxicity. So... am I doing something really wrong?
I just need a step by step as to what I should be doing here, or someone to point me in the right direction.