Plant fertalization info please

[DeborahAnne]

Hi peeps,

2nd week into cycling my 130 litre tank, I have two tiny tetras in there, and I've just added my driftwood and some new plants.

Mini Lilly pad
Large Amazon Sword
Mini Anubis I attached to the driftwood
With fishing line.

I got some Sera Florenette A tablets to place at plant roots.

My question is how often do I give them these tabs?

I just planted them today and put a tab at the roots!!

Thanks

 

[Taiken5968]

Ok I hate to just jump into a random thread to ask this, but I cannot find the option anywhere on the iPhone app to start a new thread. I didn't want too pm some random person ether that may be weird for someone.

 

[Taiken5968]

Beautiful set up by the way.

 

[Oohitsae]

I've been wondering the same thing! I've heard people say like once a month, or whenever the tab is gone, but I'd rather not dig through my substrate to find a root tab

 

[Taiken5968]

And after your tank gets started good I wouldn't use anymore fertilizer. There will be enough fish poop to do that job. I used it when I first got live plants just to get the roots going.

 

[Taiken5968]

I've been wondering the same thing! I've heard people say like once a month, or whenever the tab is gone, but I'd rather not dig through my substrate to find a root tab

Thanks for the pm helping me out. I tried to reply, but it wouldn't let me.

 

[Rcguerra]

I have been reading a lot about the subject, and there are 3 schools:

- once: use it to start the tank, then rely on water/liquid ferts and fish waste;

-every 6 months or when plants show signs of deficiency (yellow leaves, retarded growth, etc)

-as often as they are used: this is the most aggressive approach, sometimes with root tabs inserted every 90 days or so.

Since I decided to go DIY dry ferts, for 12 bucks I have enough ferts for 2 years, so I might go for a more chemically enhanced approach.

 

[DeborahAnne]

And after your tank gets started good I wouldn't use anymore fertilizer. There will be enough fish poop to do that job. I used it when I first got live plants just to get the roots going.

Hi Taiken,

You have to go to forums and pick a topic and click on it, ten up the top is a rectangle with an arrow pointing out click in it and it should say start a new thread, but you have to be in the right area, as in here all you can do us reply to my thread!

I hope that helped its a little hard to explain lol

 

[Taiken5968]

Hi Taiken,

You have to go to forums and pick a topic and click on it, ten up the top is a rectangle with an arrow pointing out click in it and it should say start a new thread, but you have to be in the right area, as in here all you can do us reply to my thread!

I hope that helped its a little hard to explain lol

Someone PMed me and told me. Thanks though.

 

[Taiken5968]

I have been reading a lot about the subject, and there are 3 schools:

- once: use it to start the tank, then rely on water/liquid ferts and fish waste;

-every 6 months or when plants show signs of deficiency (yellow leaves, retarded growth, etc)

-as often as they are used: this is the most aggressive approach, sometimes with root tabs inserted every 90 days or so.

Since I decided to go DIY dry ferts, for 12 bucks I have enough ferts for 2 years, so I might go for a more chemically enhanced approach.

Can you share how you did your DIY fertilizer? The main reason I don't use it is because it is expensive.

 

[DeborahAnne]

I have been reading a lot about the subject, and there are 3 schools:

- once: use it to start the tank, then rely on water/liquid ferts and fish waste;

-every 6 months or when plants show signs of deficiency (yellow leaves, retarded growth, etc)

-as often as they are used: this is the most aggressive approach, sometimes with root tabs inserted every 90 days or so.

Since I decided to go DIY dry ferts, for 12 bucks I have enough ferts for 2 years, so I might go for a more chemically enhanced approach.

Ahhh ok, it says nothing in instructions about frequency of application how STUPID!

So I'll see how they go as its a new tank and I'm new to the hobby.. I'll just add a tab with new plants..

Thanks for the info Rcguerra

 

[DeborahAnne]

Someone PMed me and told me. Thanks though.

Hahh cool as long as you've worked out how

 

[Rcguerra]

Can you share how you did your DIY fertilizer? The main reason I don't use it is because it is expensive.

Osmocote + (with Micro and Macro nutrients) inside gelatin clear capsules size 0.

I use them on a nano cube, but other users (with bigger tanks) can make it even more affordable: they use aquarium water and they freeze ice cubes with Osmocote inside. When the right time comes, they just insert the icecube under the substrate.

 

[Coursair]

If you have root feeders, esp Crypts or Swords then you should replace them per instructions. If there are any. Or for DIY like I use, I replace every 4-6 months.

My tanks are heavily planted and even my one tank with a lot of fish, they are little fish, so I use Flourish Comprehensive and root tabs.

If you have ONLY Anubias , Java Fern, or Mosses you can skip ROOT tabs

PWCs weekly are important for plants as well as fish health.

 

[Oohitsae]

Thanks for the pm helping me out. I tried to reply, but it wouldn't let me.

No problem!! My pm box was full so I couldnt recieve anything.

 

[DeborahAnne]

My goodness do the mini Lilly pads grow SUPER fast or is it my imagination that the one I planted 3 days ago now has 4 pads floating on the surface already!! WOW!

What others grow super fast?