food for plants

[impur]

I am planning to start my 20gal planted tank this weekend. I'm just curious what sort of fertilizer should be used for the plants and how often. Thanks for the info!!! This will be my first attempt at planting a tank.

 

[elgecko]

How much lighting will you have?

 

[impur]

I'll have about 75 watts. Using flourescent incandescent bulbs. My parents own a lighting and electrical store so i can get anything super cheap. I may make my own flourescent fixture if thats advisable.

 

[Dragonslair]

Using flourescent tubes from an electrical store-you would probably be using "white light". Not particurarly good for plants, but will show up your fishes. Try it and see,if you have problems you can always change to the specialist tubes. Plant food. Well I use Plant Gro, from Nutrafin. It's a liquid plant food and in a well planted tank I feed my plants once a week. There are no phosphates in it so discourages the growth of algae. I would recommend it. Back to your suggestion of making your own fixture. This is a safety warning. You must ensure that the end cap fittings to your tubes and the lighting unit is watertight, otherwise you will be electrocuted. That is why lighting units for aquariums are so designed. They are absolutely watertight where water can affect any electrical live component. Personally I would not recomment a domestic flour.lighting unit for a fish tank. It's notworth the risk.

 

[impur]

I made the fixture for my 55 gallon and it works to perfection I can get all kinds of tubes, including speacialy tubes. That isn't a problem. Either is making it water tight, as i have mastered that. Heat tape is a great thing Oh and i used to work at my parents store so i have been electrocuted many times, 120 isn't that bad but does suck. 220 down right hurts. Anyways, thanks for the info on the food. I'll look into getting the kind you recommend.