Which fert again?

[SWerner13]

I'm about to order my P, K, N ferts and I was wondering which product I should get for trace? Is there a good flourish one?

Freshwater Aquatic Plants in Aquariums: Flourish Liquid Plant Packs

I'm getting this enhancer kit. Should I just get the fundamentals kit as well or is there a bottle that is comprehensive? Thanks.

 

[An t-iasg]

The enhancer kit includes N, P, and K so that's all your macros. The fundamentals kit includes Excel, iron and the Comprehensive Supplement. (hmmm...I would reverse the names )

I use dry ferts but I do buy the Comprehensive Supplement for my micro ferts. In my 10 gallon tanks, I use one ml twice a week. I do supplement with iron too, so I would recommend that. I use 5 drops twice a week. I notice better growth in my anubias plants with the iron. The Excel is a carbon supplement. You don't necessarily need to dose Excel in addition to CO2 but it's nice to have to clean up algae. I put water plus dechlor in a bucket and add some Excel, and I put my anubias plants in once in a while to get the algae off them. It's also nice to dampen a paper towel with water and a bit of Excel and wipe off your heater, tank walls, etc. once in a while. I don't have much algae but I do like Excel for algae cleanup.

 

[SWerner13]

Ah so the excel added into a tank would help with algae a bit? and I think it I will go ahead and get the pack its cheaper to get all three than two anyway

 

[An t-iasg]

Yes, Excel helps with algae. The directions say you can use it alone (without CO2) or in conjunction with CO2 injection. I never had the need to dose it into a tank that had CO2 injection, but I do like to have it around.

To clarify, the Comprehensive Supplement is what I use for micros, or trace elements. There is a Flourish Trace product but the Comprehensive provides the main micro elements.

 

[fort384]

That is everything you need, you should be gtg. Some plants are sensitive to excel (hornwort, anacharis come mind but there are a few others. Those plants will melt if you add excel to the tank.

 

[SWerner13]

I have micro sword. two types of rotala. fire moss. and java fern. should i worry?

 

[fort384]

Nope should be fine.

 

[An t-iasg]

I've read that vals are sensitive also.

 

[fort384]

I've read that vals are sensitive also.

Yes, true.

BTW, I have had very good luck spot treating in my tank with excel, so if you have plants you don't want to uproot, you can use a syringe to "inject" excel directly onto algae underwater in your tank. It is a very effective algae control so long as you don't have plants that are sensitive to it (which you don't).
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