Questions About Fertilizers, Subtrate, And C02

[penguinpimp1990]

what would you reccomend as the best all around plant fertilizer? also are there any brackish water fertilizers or can freshwater fertilizers be used?

What is the ideal amout of subtrate for a planted aquarium? Also does eco-complete release tannins? if so for how long and will it go away with a good washing? and if you have a pic with eco complete could you post it please?

Im a bit undecided about c02 so far. Are there any really cheap pressurized c02 systems? (well not really cheap but something not over $70) And if i cant do pressurized what are good some good unpressurized systems? and a really stupid newbie plant question: if the air in our house contains c02 would a powehead that has one of those oxygenating air tube thingys deliver any co2 into the tank?

 

[zig]

It depends on if you want a low or highlight tank, a low light tank wont need much in the way of fertiliser a highlight tank will need lots of fertiliser nitrate phosphate potassiun as well as trace elements, if your interested in a highlight tank read my estimate index article pinned at the top of this section this will give you a good idea how to fertilise a highlight tank, if you only want low light tank Seachem flourish or Tropica Master Grow are very good general fertilisers. Dont think it makes any difference to a plant if its in brackish or ordinary freshwater it will still need the same fertiliser.

Eco complete does not contain any tannins it will not stain the water, it does contain a lot of nutrients that it will release into the water column for the plants but these are invisable to the naked eye, you will still need to fertilise the tank though if its highlight as i explained earlier, just initially you will do it at a slower rate, eco complete is basically black in colour, it doesnt require washing just put it in the tank and add water.

Consider DIY co2 systems, the nutrafin ladder systems are quite good, for $70 dollars you will not get a pressurised co2 system, for $150 you probably will if you shop around.

The co2 in the atmosphere will not be enough if you want a highlight tank, if you want a low light tank the co2 from water changes will be sufficient.

 

[penguinpimp1990]

I want the tank to have about two watts of full spectrum light per gallon. I dont know if this is considered high or low light level.

Dont think it makes any difference to a plant if its in brackish or ordinary freshwater it will still need the same fertiliser.

i know they need fertilizers but i was wondering if the fertilizers dont work because of the addition of th salt. I add just some cheap fertilizers that say for freshwater only, in my brackish tank and they seem to be doing good.

and for c02 i dont like the DIY kinds because im not too handy or skillful and im 100% sure ill screw it up if i try to make one. Maybe if my tank requires a co2 addition ill use 1 or 2 of these co2 things.

oops forgot to add it will be either a 30 or 35 gallon tank, with 1 wimple piranha, 4 female bettas, 1 applesnail, and 1 amano shrimp. this tank will obviously be diveded because of the piranha, and no it wont out grow 20 or 25 gallons as these piranhas only grow to about 4.5 inches. I have a couple in my 55 gallon tank but they will soon need to be seperated.

 

[simonbrown403]

I,ve seen feraplas and a few other desposable co2 bottles sets for £70 ish in the uk thats about $119, but the fefills are exspencive IMO

Theres a cheap co2 regulator and solenoide on ebay for £51.99 uk ($90)
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Deluxe-Dual-gaug...1QQcmdZViewItem