Fertilising Without Co2.

[Luketendo]

I will be running a planted tank of 17g (US) without CO2 injection and I would like to know what fertilizers to use.

I will be using:

Eco Complete
1 WPG Lighting
No CO2

But in the sticky of EI it says it's only suitable for use with CO2 so what should I use without?

 

[nry]

I seem to recommend this alot, but something like Tropica Plant Nutrition, or perhaps Nutrition Plus if you have a low fish load, would be suitable. Dosage rates are on the bottle, it may seem expensive but you don't need much and it will last ages.

Out of curiousity, many of the fish in your sig prefer to be in groups of 5-6 or higher, the Tetra and danio for example - do you have 1 or 2 of each of these for any specific reason?

 

[Luketendo]

I seem to recommend this alot, but something like Tropica Plant Nutrition, or perhaps Nutrition Plus if you have a low fish load, would be suitable. Dosage rates are on the bottle, it may seem expensive but you don't need much and it will last ages.

Out of curiousity, many of the fish in your sig prefer to be in groups of 5-6 or higher, the Tetra and danio for example - do you have 1 or 2 of each of these for any specific reason?

I originally bought them in groups like that but their mates died off, they seem ok though and don't attack each other. Once i've redone my tank i'll add more of the same species and maintain them. But I can't really buy anymore before then.

I'll look into Tropica Plant Nutrition.

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1035

That's it right?

 

[nry]

Yep, that's the one!

 

[Luketendo]

Ok, another thing on my list.

Also, when I get Algae (which is highly likely), should I introduce some Cherry Shrimps for Aqua Essentials?

My Tank is going to be built up of Corys, Platies, Guppys, Tetras and Small Gouramis they'd be suitable right?

 

[nry]

You might be better on eBay for shrimp, up to you though.

Try looking for some normal amano shrimp (or on eBay usually sold as algae shrimp) as I think they are a bit bigger as adults and a bit hardier.

Algae - well if you get any, otocinclus are better for green/brown algae and shrimp can work OK for the hair/thread algae but it does depend on the type of algae. With 1wpg you are not a huge algae magnet - if you can't or don't want to add CO2 then you could consider using SeaChem Flourish Excel instead, it's a liquid carbon additive and has the advantage of usually keeping some algae away too.

 

[Luketendo]

I'm not sure if I'd be able to get hold of that catfish, i'd rather have Corys and Shrimps.

But the SeaChem Flourish Excel looks very good as it's almost as good as CO2.

What do you suggest I should use with Shrimps?

Tropica Plant Nutrition or SeaChem Flourish Excel?

I also found some Amano's on Ebay: http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALGAE-SHRIMP-X10_W0Q...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[nry]

Both fertilisers are seperate things, you'd need both. Otocinclus are often hard to get, www.trimar.co.uk sometimes have them for sale.

For green/brown algae nerite snails are also superb at getting rid of most of it too.

 

[Luketendo]

I'm going to avoid Snails as I'd be worried incase I ended up dissolving their shells.

I probably won't order online because of the packaging costs and I prefer going down to the fish shop for advice and just to look around also.

Will both Fertilizers be able to be used at the same time?

 

[nry]

Snails and shells - my nerites have been fine for ~8 months.

You can happily use Excel with any liquid fertiliser as far as I know, even EI has options for using it with Excel.

 

[Luketendo]

Hmm ok i'll go and put Excel on my list.

I'll stick with Shrimps as apposed to snails as snails are more delicate and Shrimps are less inclined to eat plants. I also prefer Shrimps.

Thanks so much for your help Nry .

 

[nry]

I think shrimp are more delicate than snails. They also go for different algae types too.

 

[Luketendo]

Hmm, you'd recommend snails then?

 

[nry]

If you find you get a lot of algae build up on rocks, glass etc (brown and green, not hair types), then all I can say is that my nerite snails did a superb job at getting rid of mine and keeping it away long term. I would not bother unless you get this type of algae unless you want some snails for the sake of it

 

[Luketendo]

Cool, i'll remember that.

Thanks.