No Idea What I'm Doing.

[PrairieSunflower]

Until recently... my two tanks have always had a full stocking of fish and I've found I've never had to do anything extra for my plants and they have fantastic growth.  But.... I decided to downsize my stocking a bit and only keep 1 betta in my 10 gallon.... and now I am seeing my plants are suffering... even my anubias isn't the rich green it once was.  The only thing I have at the moment is the capsules you plant near the roots and I put those in about 2 weeks ago with no effect on the plants so far.
 
What is the easiest thing for me to get and do that is safe for my betta?
 
10 gallon
Interpret PF2 filter
I have some hygrophilia and a few anubias

 

[targett]

maybe some easycarbo

 

[SO19Firearms]

A drop in stock is showing as a reduction in nutrients - No more Ammonia-Nitrate from the fish and less Phosphates from the food...so these need replacing with something like TNC Complete or Tropica Specialised.

What capsules have you used?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

My capsules are from Tropica AquaCare.  Says long-acting nourishment supplements for water-plants, contains N and P.
 
I was looking at liquid fertilizers on aqua essentials and thinking about the Seachem Flourish... but noticed there are a few kinds and didn't know which would be right.

 

[SO19Firearms]

I would've expected the Tropica caps to perk things up - I think they're discontinued now but good in their day.
Do they look a bit like this?
 
Flourish is just a trace mix - so if it is a drop in nutrients it wont help too much.
 
IMO

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Yes, they look like that.

It must be a drop in nutrients, as the only difference is the number of fish.

 

[levahe]

Flourish would be OK for a low tech if you aren't using co2, if you are you need one of the complete ferts.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

No CO2, a very simple tank setup.
 
I am off to the garden  center and Maidenhead Aquatics in a bit... will see what I find there and what they suggest as well.

 

[SO19Firearms]

will see what I find there and what they suggest as well.

Ask them if Nitrate and Phosphate cause algae first - If they say yes - walk away.

IMO

Flourish would be OK for a low tech if you aren't using co2, if you are you need one of the complete ferts.

I think the stocking level would have had minimal impact on CO2 levels and while techincally it coould be a lack of trace elements the tank is experiencing from a reduction in fish food I doubt it. Probably better to go for the belt and braces and add it all. A Complete fert shouldn't cost more than a Trace element mix anyway really.

IMO

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I'm back and I did get one that says complete.  I bought a weekly fert, instructions say to dose weekly or dose during partial water changes but only for the quantity of water added.  I bought a small bottle of 10 doses to start with to see how this goes.

I bought one fby Ferropol.  It says it contains copper so I assume that is not safe to use should I ever have shrimp in that tank (I have my shrimp in the other tank which does not need ferts).

 

[Sophie]

JBL Ferropol? Presume so as you went to Maidenhead. I've used both the weekly and daily one to great success in the past.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Yes, that's the one.

 

[SO19Firearms]

Don't worry that it contains copper. This is essential for life - Including shrimp. Unfortunately it won't be complete either. But use it and see how you get on.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

How long will it take to see a difference?
 
I added a new plant yesterday (I am planning to possibly take out my hygrophilia once the new one grows bigger).  It is the anubias that I am watching for improvement.  They aren't the deep green they should be (like in my other tank) and some of the new leaves have a sort of almost yellowish edge.  The older leaves look better than the younger ones.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Just wanted to update and I've only used the stuff I bought twice so far but I am seeing a difference.  My hygrophilia which was in a bad state from a salt treatment some time ago look awesome, no more leaves falling off and it has gotten really thick.  My anubias hasn't shown too much... but I assume that is more because it is slow growing... the edges that were yellowing are more of a light green now so I consider that good progress.