RB_607 Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 I was wondering, is it neccesary to put aquatic fertalisers in the tank for the plants to grow well, if you dnt have a CO2 system? If so, what fertalisers are best to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plantman Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 the answer is yes, all aquatic plants need nutrient to grow, either that, they will decay and rot (easy food for the fish). i good fertlizer i will recommend is the seachem flourish excel. CO2 is a good catylst to promote good healthy plant. it is almost essential as you balance between lighting, fertlizer and CO2. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkytown Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Depends on the plants and the tank you have, and how seriously you take it. Some people only fertilize with fish pooh, and still seem to get reasonable growth. If it were me, I might see how my plants were doing without any fertilizer, and only add if I saw signs of a deficiency. Mind you, I'm more interested in keeping fish than plants, but I do like a "heavily planted" look. I'd take the same tack with CO2. Word on the street is plant food should be phosphate-free, and contain chelated(?) iron, magnesium and other important trace elements. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB_607 Posted January 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Thanks for the info guys. I tryed a DIY CO2 set up, but it wouldnt work, dunno why either. Once again thanks. RB_607 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 You will probably find that your system wasn't 100% airtight, CO2 is very good at escaping through the tiniest air leak. Use some silicon sealant on the inside and outside of your bottle cap where the airline hose comes out and try it again. It could also be your yeast, it needs to be kept in the fridge. I am using a 2 litre coke bottle with 2 cups of sugar, 1/2 a teaspoon of edmonds surebake yeast kept in the fridge and a pinch of baking soda, filled with water to the top of the coke label. My method is as follows: I quarter fill the bottle with luke-warm water add one cup of sugar and quarter of a teaspoon of yeast and then shake vigourously (whilst covering the bottle opening of course ), then add more luke-warm water to an inch below the top of the label and add the second cup of sugar, quarter teaspoon of yeast and a pinch of baking soda and top up the water if I need to and shake vigorously again. I then screw the lid on tight, attach it to my aquaclear 150 filter intake and it starts bubbling in a few hours depending on room temperature. I normally get two weeks out of a bottle and it has worked every time (touch wood ). I hope this helps, don't give up on the CO2. Cheers, Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB_607 Posted January 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 Hey, thanks for the info Matt. It could well be the container not being 100% sealed. The yeast is kept in the fridge, so i guess it has to be escaping. I will definately try your recipe, cause I think the one I got off the net is not quite right. Once again thanks, RB_607. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 I am forever having to trim my plants and have never used fertiliser or CO2. If you want spectacular plants then you need one or the othre but if you are happy with plants that just grow, then don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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