Plant Food Advice

[dinosaurs1]

Jusy setting up my first planted tank and need to know if the plants need any special type of ferts, I don't want to get into Co2 at the moment as this is all new to me. Can anyone give me advice on the plant fert I should buy or is it not essential, I plan to get easy to grow low light plants like java fern. Hope someone can help me I'm lost with reading all the posts with differant advice. Thanks

 

[Renate]

Java ferns don't need ferts. I just dosed them with flourish excell and they grew. Java fern windalow, flowers at the tips of leaves, need ferts.

A few more plants that don't need any care:
Ceylon Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma 'Ceylon
Hornwort - Ceratophylum demersum grows in ponds
Many Swords except
Chain sword, ozelot, pygmy

 

[dinosaurs1]

What does flourish Excell do ?

 

[Renate]

What does flourish Excell do ?

According to manufacturer Seachem
Flourish Excel™ is a source of bioavailable organic carbon. All plants require a source of carbon. This is typically obtained from CO2. One can derive a substantial benefit with the use of Flourish Excel™ either alone or in conjunction with CO2 injection. Flourish Excel™ also has iron reducing properties which promote the ferrous state of iron (Fe+2), which is more easily utilized by plants than ferric iron (Fe+3).

It inadvertently kills some algaes.

 

[aaronnorth]

Java ferns don't need ferts

carefull how you say that.

yes they may not need ferts if kept in a tank with 1wpg or less, but in a high light tank with 4wpg, it would soon starve of nutrients and die

what size tank?
wattage of lights?

 

[Renate]

aaronnorth thanks for correcting me.

Yes, my tank are low watts.

 

[dinosaurs1]

My tank is 50 inches x 19 inches x 19 inches so is quite deep, my lights are 48 inch long 40 watts and I have 2 of them. I hope you can help me I'm really struggling as what plants to now buy also if they need any sort of feed or this excell stuff.

 

[Renate]

My tank is 50 inches x 19 inches x 19 inches so is quite deep, my lights are 48 inch long 40 watts and I have 2 of them. I hope you can help me I'm really struggling as what plants to now buy also if they need any sort of feed or this excell stuff.

That is really low light.
How many gallons or liters is that?

Here is something I came across at another forum about low lit tank.
330 Liter (87 gal.)- "Lower Maintenance Expenses (LME)"
120cm 50cm 55cmh
http/www.pbase.com/plantella/330hnlme

 

[dinosaurs1]

Think its about 65 gallon, looked at the website you mentioned the tank looks good hope I can get something like the same.

 

[aaronnorth]

you have 1.2wpg (because it is larger tank it will be around 1.5WPG)

Although it may be higher if the tubes are T5's?

It is medium - low light and a good stratong point, you can get a wide choice of plants to grow at a decent rate with that lighting level.

 

[dinosaurs1]

Thanks fot that, what plants would you suggest ? and would I need to feed them. I want it easy and no Co2.

 

[aaronnorth]

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Plants-a...-Planted-links/

seachem flourish and The tropica aquacare brand are both good.