Fertilizing: large tank, high light, CO2

[kaaikop]

Okay, now for the part that looks really complicated: fertilizing...

I'm planning a 150 g. tank, 450 watts of light, with press. CO2 system,
eco-complete substrate, and dream to fill it up with green

I read a lot about Seachem Flourish & the likes, but also understand that
in a large tank, it is not very cost effective... Can someone explain me
how to mix your own, or where do I find the info. to understand what I
need to achieve here... So far what I read about PMDD or something like
that, it looks very complicated. Maybe I should rather ask: do I really
need to fertilize? I mean, with proper light, CO2, nitrites, and a good
substrate, isn't that enough?

 

[malkore]

www.gregwatson.com to purchase ferts.
You WILL need ferts. High light, CO2...pretty much demands proper fertilizing regimen.

I suggest against PMDD. It gives less control over individual nutrients, which is what you really need.


(it also sounds like you're confusing nitrites with nitrates. don't. the two are very different.)

 

[travis simonson]

Your tank is very much like my own. Two good sources of reading:

Tom Barr's Estimative Index fertilizing regimen:

http://aquaria.net/articles/plants/barr-dose/

And (my mentor) Steve Hampton's web page:

http://www.aquariaplants.com/

You can learn a lot about fertilizing planted tanks from these two guys

 

[kaaikop]

Thanks for the links, Travis! Will check that out, that should get me on
the right track. I know, our tank setups are very similar, and I really
appreciate your advice. If on my first attempt, my tank looks half as
good as yours, I will be very happy!

Well, until all the equipment has arrived, I have a lot of time to read.
And thanks for correcting me Malkore, I did meant nitrates...

 

[gone fishin]

GREG greg GREG

 

[kaaikop]

Thanks guys, for all the help!

Well in the meantime, I've ordered a bottle of each, from Seachem, just
to get me started, I'll play around with these until I undertand better
what I am doing. No question this will quickly get expensive, so when I
feel more comfortable with being a "chemist", I will start mixing my own
stuff... 8O

 

[SittingDuck]

I just picked up a bottle of Seachem and Sechem Excel for my plants...I did a PWC then followed the directions and added the correct amounts. The problem is, after I did the additives, I noticed on the Seachem that it contains %0.0001 copper. I've heard that Copper or any other metals are toxic to Shrimp and other inverts. Is this true? Will this trace amount kill my shrimp? Or is it too little to worry about?

 

[tiptoptank]

.0001 isn't very much. I would not worry.