Plant Fertilizer?

[LondonguyJ]

Ok in brief I removed a the substrate which allowed my plants to thrive because it was so light that when cleaning, it would settle on top of the small stone gravel and look real unsightly.

So now I'm looking for an alternative. I have seen some liquid based fertilizers but seeing as I already does liquid c02 I don't want to add another liquid solution to my aquarium which might effect my water composition. And was wondering which pellets (if any) you guys would recommend?

By the way I did a search but there doesn't seem to be a thread on this subject so figured this might be a good reference point for other newbies.

J

 

[RadaR]

because it was so light that when cleaning, it would settle on top of the small stone gravel and look real unsightly.

What do you mean by "cleaning"? Gravel vaccuming? If so, then you're not supposed to do that with your kind of setup (planted substrate under sand/gravel).

have seen some liquid based fertilizers but seeing as I already does liquid c02 I don't want to add another liquid solution to my aquarium which might effect my water composition.

Liquid carbon and liquid nutrients do not effect each other in the same tank nor "the composition". Don't you think we would have seen something by now, seeing as loads of us dose both with no adverse effects?

If for some reason you still dont want to dose liquid nutrients then Tropia capsules are your best bet.

 

[PDSimon]

because it was so light that when cleaning, it would settle on top of the small stone gravel and look real unsightly.

What do you mean by "cleaning"? Gravel vaccuming? If so, then you're not supposed to do that with your kind of setup (planted substrate under sand/gravel).

How come?

 

[RadaR]

For the reason that has been experienced here It's mixed everything up (the inert gravel and the plant substrate). Hoovering is fine (siphoning debris off the top layer).
Also, in planted tanks there generally isn't a need to gravel vac because we like to have lots of flow in the tank so that CO2 and nutrients are distributed well. Therefore because of this flow, alot of debris gets sucked into the filter and isn't given enough time to settle on the bottom. It's just a case of keeping up with changing the filter floss then.

 

[LondonguyJ]

I was concerned about the two reacting together but seeing as you use both successfully then I'll opt for the liquid dose. Can anyone recommend a good liquid nutrient.


As for the substrate mixing. I followed the on packaging instructions and placed 4" of gravel stone on top as instructed and it was still pulled when during the siphon.

 

[Gav935]

Tropica TPN+ is about the only liquid fert I'd bother with tbh.

 

[RadaR]

Can anyone recommend a good liquid nutrient.

Tropica Plant Nutrition+. Contains macro and micro nutrients.

 

[PDSimon]

Thanks RadaR