Moving to fertilised plants

[seangee]

but is this going to throw my whole tank parameters out of whack,

Something that has not yet been mentioned in this thread is the aspect of balance that is crucial in a fish tank with plants. I am referring to the light/nutrient balance.

That is the point I was trying to make - albeit badly. You said your plants are thriving today, that is a strong incentive not to mess with what you are doing

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

That is the point I was trying to make - albeit badly. You said your plants are thriving today, that is a strong incentive not to mess with what you are doing

I have never had a problem with plant growth/health in my tanks at all. And I don’t use fertilisers at all

 

[Retired Viking]

Like @Russjw I use flourish the day after water change at 1/2 dose. I also started taking new plants and some of my floating plants and put them in a clear plastic container and give them a dose of flourish and let them sit in the sun for a few hours for several days. I noticed they have a better shade of green and more growth. That way I do not have to worry about dosing my fish.

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

Like @Russjw I use flourish the day after water change at 1/2 dose. I also started taking new plants and some of my floating plants and put them in a clear plastic container and give them a dose of flourish and let them sit in the sun for a few hours for several days. I noticed they have a better shade of green and more growth. That way I do not have to worry about dosing my fish.

That’s a great idea

 

[utahfish]

I have never had a problem with plant growth/health in my tanks at all. And I don’t use fertilisers at all

Vals are pretty easy to grow theyre basically weeds and whatever is in your water they apparently like.
That doesnt mean all plants will like the water you have. Vals use. More calcium than some plants where as some plants do better with no calcium. Some plants are mainly root feeders like crypts and swords other are shoot feeders like stem plants.
So plan accordingly, if lots of root feeders fertilize the substrate with root tabs, if lots of shoot feeders fertilizes with liquid fert, most plants will appreciate both.
If one is looking for easier red plants to grow then make sure one has enough light to do so.
Some "easy" red plants. Red crypts, red melon or rubin swords, red temple, and ludwigia. Though in my experience if one doesnt provide the required light even though they may be red when received they will grow green after a bit.

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

Okay so my blue/clear led light is 6500K, I have natural calcium from the calgrit I have mixed in with the substrate. Nutrients are all from the foods I feed the fish and I water change weekly. I keep my parameters in check and on rare Ammonia spikes would be at highest .25ppm. My ambulia I have is lush and green apart from the area in the middle where the Val was shading light nutrients but has improved the past couple days since the cull of Val.

 

[utahfish]

Okay so my blue/clear led light is 6500K, I have natural calcium from the calgrit I have mixed in with the substrate. Nutrients are all from the foods I feed the fish and I water change weekly. I keep my parameters in check and on rare Ammonia spikes would be at highest .25ppm. My ambulia I have is lush and green apart from the area in the middle where the Val was shading light nutrients but has improved the past couple days since the cull of Val.

Your vals will definitely appreciate the cal grit.
Go take a look at Dustinsfishtanks website. Hes a reputable on line seller for plants and theyre reasonably priced and in good condition, he has some good red plants.

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

Your vals will definitely appreciate the cal grit.
Go take a look at Dustinsfishtanks website. Hes a reputable on line seller for plants and theyre reasonably priced and in good condition, he has some good red plants.

Thank you I will.

yeah the root health on the Val tells me that too

 

[utahfish]

Thank you I will.

yeah the root health on the Val tells me that too

Crypts are plants that like calcium and do well in all sorts of light and have red variety.

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

Crypts are plants that like calcium and do well in all sorts of light and have red variety.

Thank you I will look into them

 

[Byron]

The light spectrum at 6500K is ideal.