Fertilizers And Fish

[DarkSoul]

The first thing I plan on getting in my tank are some plants.

I know im going to need fertilizer for them to survive long enough for me to get fish, but once i do finally get some fish, will i still need to add fertilizers and such or will the fishes waste products be enough to support the plant life?

and no, i dont even know what plants or how many i will be getting.... im really just looking into the plumbing of my stand right now.

 

[Katchan]

darksoul that depends on two variables
Bad answer
1- amount of plants
2- amount/type of fish

obviously the more plants the more gross fertiliser you need
fish, depending on type produce x amount of waste, of which x will go into fertiliser obviously (plecos and similar have high waste out for size, neons small). Combine this with your stocking level will give you some idea.

Now also taking into account trace elements that most fertiliser add that may or maynot be in your water leaves me one one advice

Easy answer

Since you will be fertilesing before adding fish your plants should be stable (they may go downhill slighty after you first add them), stop adding the fertiliser when you get fish, if they go down hill (the fertiliser will take some time work 100% remove from the system, enough time for the fish waste to possibly take over the job) add some fertiliser, if that desnt help, add a bit more, being carefulof promoting alge growth

 

[DarkSoul]

Well my tap water results seemed pretty good... seems my city has some good quality water, but i am as of yet unsure weather or not to use RO+DI water (I already own the filter, and did purchase it for this reason), RO/DI + Tap water, or just plain conditioned tap water.

I would like to go all RO/DI and simply buy what i need to add to the water... IE, RO right, simply because it would give me that bit more of control over the environment.

This way i know what the water chemistry is all the time, however i dont have room for a large pressure tank, that will store enough water for a 25% weekly water change of my 50 gallon tank., so I would need to purchase some form of un-pressureized container, float valve, and water pump..... and as it is i still need to purchase a booster pump for the filter to increase its effeciency.

 

[Katchan]

Since you already have the RO filter you might want to consider what fish you want.

African probably not worth the time with RO water, but since you have plants you probably arnt going there anyways
Asian fish are fine with normal tap (better if not extreme), some like betta's and couple of others like it towards soft acidic
Central american prefer it harder in general so again no real need for RO, many are OK with plants (some like some rip them up)
South american - as a general rule they like it neutral to acidic, and on the soft side is great but not an absolute need for them
australian etc - normal tap is fine in general

HTH

Andrew