This is what has worked for me thus far, though I am sure someone can advise me of some modifications. Again, I have a 55g planted tank with a lowly fermentation Co2 kit and just over 2 watts per gallon of lighting. My crypts, riccia, anubias, rotala walchii (sp?), vals, lotus plants, wisteria, various onions, hornwort, apotogens, etc. are flourishing. The crypts are reproducing at a rate for which I was not prepared, but their babies are still small, so I don't have to move them or give them away. Plants not doing as well are my glosso (as expected), bunched subulata (sp?), and my sword. I believe that I cut the sword back too much and may need to get a new one. I cut the leaves off at the base, and now it looks like half the base is rotting. It has not grown to it's previous size, and it's been weeks. Perhaps I replanted it too much. The subulata is being eaten AND also seems to be missing some nutrients, as I often see rotting and/or yellow leaves on it (it is being eaten by my loaches, and perhaps to a lesser extent, my gold nugget). At any rate, I am still trying to catch my clown loaches during water change. I change 20 to 30 percent of the water on Wednesdays.
After the change, here is my additive schedule (any feedback would be appreciated):
Once a week, at the beginning, I add a tropical plant nutrition product for heavily stocked tanks.
Twice a week, I add the regular Flourish product, at the beginning and middle of the week.
Twice a week, I add Flourish Trace, which I just wasted my money on (learned this by reading Aaron's posts).
About every other week to once a month, particularly for the sword and when I see something yellowish, I add Flourish Iron to the tank.
Every other day, I dose florish excel slightly above recommended dosage.
Once a week, at the beginning, I add Advanced Algae Destroyer. Since I have been doing this and the excel schedule, I have not had algae problems). Also, I have plants that are now outcompeting the algae.
I add a Total root tab product, which is likely similar to the regular Flourish, once a month to my gravel...yes gravel.
I change the CO2 mixture every 2 to 3 weeks, more than recommended.
Anything else I should be doing, or eliminating? I know the CO2 needs to be upgraded, but these are lean times, getting leaner.
After the change, here is my additive schedule (any feedback would be appreciated):
Once a week, at the beginning, I add a tropical plant nutrition product for heavily stocked tanks.
Twice a week, I add the regular Flourish product, at the beginning and middle of the week.
Twice a week, I add Flourish Trace, which I just wasted my money on (learned this by reading Aaron's posts).
About every other week to once a month, particularly for the sword and when I see something yellowish, I add Flourish Iron to the tank.
Every other day, I dose florish excel slightly above recommended dosage.
Once a week, at the beginning, I add Advanced Algae Destroyer. Since I have been doing this and the excel schedule, I have not had algae problems). Also, I have plants that are now outcompeting the algae.
I add a Total root tab product, which is likely similar to the regular Flourish, once a month to my gravel...yes gravel.
I change the CO2 mixture every 2 to 3 weeks, more than recommended.
Anything else I should be doing, or eliminating? I know the CO2 needs to be upgraded, but these are lean times, getting leaner.
