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

2183 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by dekstr, Dec 9, 2007

Oscar17

Discussion Starter · Dec 9, 2007

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.

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

Urkevitz

· #2 · Dec 9, 2007

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.

Save

bsmith

· #3 · Dec 9, 2007

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.

Save

Oscar17

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 9, 2007

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.

Save

kzr750r1

· #5 · Dec 9, 2007

Oscar17 said:
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.

Save

bastalker

· #6 · Dec 9, 2007

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

Save

dekstr

· #7 · Dec 9, 2007

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.

Save

1 - 7 of 7 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month