Cheap Ferts

[lock77]

Hi,
I've been advised to add some ferts to my tank and have found this http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterlife-Aquarium-Pond-Fish-Plant-Fertilizer-Care-Food-300gallons-1500litre-/230925936311?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item35c44226b7
The old box design concerns me a little and the seller says there is no expiry date on the packaging. Does anyone use this brand and is it any good? Its meant to do 1500lts so I reckon that's not to bad for £3.99. Also if anyone has any idea of the shelf life of ferts or when waterlife changed the name and design of this fert?

Its called tropiflora now.

 

[SLIM]

Like i said in your other thread. Jus get this
http/www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fertilisers/chelated-trace.html
Its £5 and will last months. Its all you need.

 

[SO19Firearms]

I wouldn't use it. You could make hundreds of bottles of that with the trace mix in Slim's link.
 
You can always make your own liquid ferts using a recipe like this one.

 

[lock77]

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUSH-Max-Aquatic-Fertiliser-1-litre-Aquarium-Plant-Food-Fish-Tank-Fertilizer-/290870543739?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item43b93c457b

Is this the same?

 

[lock77]

If my sums are right then the stuff on ebay will last 40 weeks and slims idea will last 1041 days based on a 110 lt tank. No brainer really.

 

[SO19Firearms]

That Lush probably uses the recipe from ThePlantedTank and charges you for it. Difficult to tell as they don't list the analysis as they should.
 
Just buying Trace is an idea but bear in mind nutrients in rough order of importance go Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, (Iron, Manganese, Zinc) etc..... you'll only be adding the brackets.

 

[SLIM]

Remember tho his tank is only a low tech. His fish waste will provide the nitro and phosphates. Water changes will supply the magnesium and calcium so I think for his set up lights and plants Trace is all he really needs at this point imo.

 

[SO19Firearms]

Remember tho his tank is only a low tech. His fish waste will provide the nitro and phosphates. Water changes will supply the magnesium and calcium so I think for his set up lights and plants Trace is all he really needs at this point imo.

 
I know it's subjective, but I wasn't getting a micro deficiency from the dying leaves, I get the low tech side as I didn't see any melt/glassy/holey leaves so ruled out (maybe prematurely I don't know) CO2, I personally have no Magnesium or Calcium in my water so always consider it, but again generally we'd see curling etc, but a lack can also inhibit the uptake of other nutrients. While fish waste plays a part in the Nitrogen cycle I don't know how much Phosphate is in his brand of fish food for them to poop, or Potassium.
I guess I'm more belt and braces - allowing me to rule out what I know is going in. That's why I personally think it's super critical to have an analysis on a plant food.
 
IMO

 

[SLIM]

Remember tho his tank is only a low tech. His fish waste will provide the nitro and phosphates. Water changes will supply the magnesium and calcium so I think for his set up lights and plants Trace is all he really needs at this point imo.

 
I know it's subjective, but I wasn't getting a micro deficiency from the dying leaves, I get the low tech side as I didn't see any melt/glassy/holey leaves so ruled out (maybe prematurely I don't know) CO2, I personally have no Magnesium or Calcium in my water so always consider it, but again generally we'd see curling etc, but a lack can also inhibit the uptake of other nutrients. While fish waste plays a part in the Nitrogen cycle I don't know how much Phosphate is in his brand of fish food for them to poop, or Potassium.
I guess I'm more belt and braces - allowing me to rule out what I know is going in. That's why I personally think it's super critical to have an analysis on a plant food.
 
IMO

100% agree with you. In this instance tho i think its probably best to let him get comfortable with dosing trace ferts, see what the results are after a few weeks then reassess the situation and what direction he wants to take his tank in.

 

[SuperColey1]

The recipe definitely doesn't use the recipe from plantedtank. Different analysis.  Higher Iron and P etc
 
Analysis is:
N 1.3300%, P 0.1231%, K 3.8781%, Mg 0.3885%, S 0.5126%, B 0.011%, Cu 0.002%, Fe 0.105%, Mn 0.018%, Mo 0.002%, Zn 0.012%
 
Regards
Andy