KiwiGal77 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 After some advice for my new plants please Just wondering if I should buy some Seachem Flourish to help my new plants along? Or is there a better alternative for a good overall fertiliser? Also would the liquid fertiliser help the rooted plants as well, I've read all plants do absorb nutrients through their leaves but rooted ones prefer rich soil? They are just planted in sand, light is low-med and no CO2. I've got Anubias Nana, Java Fern, Twisted Val, Dwarf Sag, Hygrophila and a couple if young Crypts. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexyay Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 For heavy root feeders I recommend either a fertilizer substrate or fertilizer tabs. If the tank's already set up, fertilizer tabs are preferable. You just pop them under the substrate and they're good to go. How much fertilizer and how often you need to dose depends on plant growth, fish population, CO2 etc. You probably only need to dose "Micro nutrients" or "Trace Elements" if you're not dosing CO2. I've found with my fertilizing substrate, I don't have to dose any nutrients in my low-medium light tanks (otherwise I get nasty String algae). It's all a bit of a dosing game as every tank is unique. I find if I overdose I get string algae - if you underdose you may find deficiencies. Can take a while to find the right balance for your tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiGal77 Posted February 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 For heavy root feeders I recommend either a fertilizer substrate or fertilizer tabs. If the tank's already set up, fertilizer tabs are preferable. You just pop them under the substrate and they're good to go. How much fertilizer and how often you need to dose depends on plant growth, fish population, CO2 etc. You probably only need to dose "Micro nutrients" or "Trace Elements" if you're not dosing CO2. I've found with my fertilizing substrate, I don't have to dose any nutrients in my low-medium light tanks (otherwise I get nasty String algae). It's all a bit of a dosing game as every tank is unique. I find if I overdose I get string algae - if you underdose you may find deficiencies. Can take a while to find the right balance for your tank Thanks My hygro, anubias and java fern seem to be doing fine so far. My dwarf sag and crypts both have dying leaves though and no sign of new growth since planting. Any idea what might be missing that would affect those two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Crypts just melt because you look at them sometimes. The change of environment will most likely effect them for a while, but they will bounce back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 The sag may have been grown emersed if propagated by a commercial grower. If so they will come back if they have a healthy root system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexyay Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 If they're new then it's likely they're either melting crypts (as this often happens with new crypts) or plants converting from emersed to submerged growth Usually as mentioned they will bounce back just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Adding too much fertilizer to the water column without strong light and CO2 may cause algae blooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr A Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 If you're looking for a low-tech fertilizer - (a SMALL amount of) Osmocote in the substrate can help; some people like to pop it into gelatin capsules (purchasable off trademe). Otherwise premade root tabs can be found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binu Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 If you're looking for a low-tech fertilizer - (a SMALL amount of) Osmocote in the substrate can help; some people like to pop it into gelatin capsules (purchasable off trademe). Otherwise premade root tabs can be found. could you pls explain bit about osmocot pls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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