Planting In Sand

[kris-b-]

Apologies if this has been asked before....

I have set up a 10gallon tank with a sand subtrate. I have nothing else in there at all. The plants I have are Java fern, Java moss, a floating plant (silvinia or something like that) and two other plants which are in the sand with roots. I have basic lighting (14watt flourescent light).

What do I need to add to give nutrients to the plant that will not encourage the growth of algae. Do I need fertelizers or something like that?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Kris

 

[osteoporoosi]

If the undenidentified plants have strong roots(swords,Cryptocoryne) solid ferts are necessary. The others take their nutrients from liquid fertilizers.

 

[kris-b-]

Where's the best place to get these from and will they premote algae growth?

Any suggestions on a particular brand?

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Pixie25]

i used a thin layer of laterite in the middle of two layers of sand in my 20g and all my plants have grown really big in 1 month

 

[osteoporoosi]

Have you ever heard of Poor Man's Dupla Drops(PMDD)? It is a DIY liquid fertilizer that mimics Tropica's mastergrow. It was first created to prevent algae growth. And it's amazingly cheap once you get all the ingredients.

 

[kris-b-]

Well the tank is set up so I'm not going to be able to use the laterate. Anyone else know any good but fairly cheap fertilizers? Is PMDD a joke?

 

[osteoporoosi]

Noup, here's a couple of websites:

http/www.aquabotanic.com/PMDDprimer.htm
http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/pmdd-tim.html

Edit: If you want to go the easier way, try Tropicas mastergrow It's practically the same stuff.

 

[kris-b-]

Ok I've read through them sites and think it is prob too much hassle for me, so where is a good place online to get fertilizers from online? Is the mastergro just added to the water? If so what is a good tablet like fert to add to the sand?

 

[osteoporoosi]

JBL's 7-balls are good ferts under the sand. Mastergrow is liquid, yes. Don't know about online-shops, never ordered anything!

 

[kris-b-]

I've found the JBL tablets now, anymore suggestions on the liquid type to add that is fairly cheap! I only have a 10gallon tank so dont want a huge bottle of something!

 

[kris-b-]

I've purchased the JBL root tablets but I dont know what to add to encourage the growth of the none rooted plants, I did see Tetra Plant is this any good? Or can anyone else suggest anything I could use?