New to ferts- help!

[Mumma.of.two]

So I've never used fertilizers before. (But I do have two tanks with potting soil substrate.) I now have a tank with a plain sand bottom and I'm wondering how or even if I should start dosing some ferts.
My tank is 2 foot-65L, so around 17g, with a play sand substrate. I have one T8 18w daylight bulb and one 20w 6500k cfl. The plants I have are: windelov fern, java moss, val and what I think is lilaeopsis.
What fertilizers do you recommend? What nutrients do they need?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Anyone?................

 

[FishEggs]

you would probably do fine with putting some fert root tabs in the substrate near the plants. They are not very demanding plants.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Ok. What kind would you recommend?

 

[jcolon]

For any root feeders ... like Amazon Sword for ex ... I use Seachem root tabs. For non root feeders ... I use Seachem Comprehensive. I honestly think it's the only thing helping to keep my plants alive in my meager less than 1.0 wpg gallon.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Thanks! I had no idea where to start.

 

[fred]

I use Seachem flourish and Seachem flourish excel. My plants are doing great and I also only have 1.5 watts per gallon. I've also used the Seachem root tabs however have stooped since using the Seachem flourish.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

What if I have shrimp? Will that affect what I can use? Coz I have another tank with shrimp and snails and I've noticed the plants are a little yellowish.

 

[fred]

What if I have shrimp? Will that affect what I can use? Coz I have another tank with shrimp and snails and I've noticed the plants are a little yellowish.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/low-tech-forum/33859-seachem-flourish-cu-trace-harmful-cheery.html

I know thus is from another forum (sorry ). But thought it might help because I gave no idea, never had shrimp before.

 

[jetajockey]

What if I have shrimp? Will that affect what I can use? Coz I have another tank with shrimp and snails and I've noticed the plants are a little yellowish.

Ive never had an issue dosing ferts with inverts.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/low-tech-forum/33859-seachem-flourish-cu-trace-harmful-cheery.html

I know thus is from another forum (sorry ). But thought it might help because I gave no idea, never had shrimp before.

Ah. I knew there was something to watching for. Thanks. Looks like the jury's still out though.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I'm thinking whatever I get I might just try half doses and see how it goes.

 

[Coursair]

I avoid the Excel or any Carbon. I'm using Osmocote Plus in gel caps as root tabs and API Leaf Zone. I've lost Shrimp when I've tried half doses of liquid Carbon.

My Shrimp tank. Sand over Flourite sand.
YMMV

View attachment 51297

My new 10g I just set up is straight sand over Osmocote.

Will post pic later.

I'm new at this, but so far so good.


View attachment 51298



View attachment 51300

 

[Mumma.of.two]

I avoid the Excel or any Carbon. I'm using Osmocote Plus in gel caps as root tabs and API Leaf Zone. I've lost Shrimp when I've tried half doses of liquid Carbon.

My Shrimp tank. Sand over Flourite sand.
YMMV

<img src="http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51297"/>

My new 10g I just set up is straight sand over Osmocote.

Will post pic later.

I'm new at this, but so far so good.

<img src="http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51298"/>

<img src="http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=51300"/>

I'm too scared to dose anything in there yet for that reason. I'm considering pulling the tank apart an giving it a new substrate of organic potting soil like 2 of my others. Let me know how yours goes.

 

[Coursair]

Don't fear ferts, just watch CO2 gas or liquid. Some folks do use CO2 w shrimp. I don't seem to need it. I have low light to low/med light. I use liquid ferts and root tabs. Liquid once a week. Osmocote + may need more in 4 months ?