Try To Figure Out A Fert To Hepl Boost Plants

[stacey3272]

ok i just started a planted tank in Dec. A few sward I just add a anubis and not sure on the other ones are added pictures so you can see . So far I have had some but not much change. They seem to be staying healthy tho and not dying I had grab a flourish product thinking it was a fert  but now looking closer it is just a comprehensive supplement.  which I am sure is great for it.  But I want to get a bit of growth and not sure what to use. I have researched the flourish excel and seem to get mix reviews . With t killing off fish. I have angel fish and a few guppies and a apple snail. I do not have running co2 being I am new in this and not sure how to even start a set up like that . So I dose with liquid co2 few times a week. I add root tabs by the plants . But they are still so new they have not grown out yet. I want to add red clay balls by the roots for irons source next.
 
So Just looking for suggestions on a fert to add that is safe for my fish .

 

[tunagirll]

Add flourish excel daily - your plants need the carbon to grow.
Add flourish trace twice a week for trace elements.
Add any plant fertiliser/food twice a week for macro elements.
Set your lights to about 7 hours daily.
 
This should give you a good result

 

[stacey3272]

Add flourish excel daily - your plants need the carbon to grow.
Add flourish trace twice a week for trace elements.
Add any plant fertiliser/food twice a week for macro elements.
Set your lights to about 7 hours daily.
 
This should give you a good result

can i use my comprehensive supplement yet for some trace elements it says it has it in it on the bottle.(micro elements)
I have that c2 api booster to use can I still use that  
I already do lighs about 6 to 7 hours a day
So the excel is not a fert/food source. That is what was confusing me . I thought it was. thanks I will take a note ofyour suggestions

 

[daizeUK]

Flourish comprehensive is trace ferts.
 
C2 API Booster does the same thing as Flourish Excel.  There is no need to dose both, just one or the other.  Both contain glutaraldehyde which is the active ingredient for supplying carbon to plants.  You should dose daily as the active ingredient only remains active for about 24 hours.
 
You also need macro ferts as TunaGirl says.  Choose a source which includes NPK - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.  Many ferts do not contain Nitrogen or Phosphorus as these are considered to cause algae.  However they are essential macro nutrients for plants, in order to be able to use the liquid carbon you are adding they need these nutrients.

 

[DerpPH]

you can also try adding seqchem flourish root tabs under the substrate to help with growing and some trace as the others suggested. you could also add some ferts with copper like the tetra branded fert I used to use

 

[daizeUK]

She already adds root tabs and Flourish comprehensive contains all the trace ferts she will need, including copper and iron.
 
C2 API Booster for liquid carbon
Flourish comprehensive for trace
Macro ferts for NPK
 
that's all you need

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I am using Seachem Flourish for about 2 weeks now (switched from using a different one previously) and I am just starting to see some changes now... like my java fern (which always looked ok) now feels to the touch very firm almost like a fake plant... and my amazon sword in another tank has some some noticeable height suddenly.... the rest of my plants are slow growing so will take longer to see a change.

 

[stacey3272]

Flourish comprehensive is trace ferts.
 
C2 API Booster does the same thing as Flourish Excel.  There is no need to dose both, just one or the other.  Both contain glutaraldehyde which is the active ingredient for supplying carbon to plants.  You should dose daily as the active ingredient only remains active for about 24 hours.
 
You also need macro ferts as TunaGirl says.  Choose a source which includes NPK - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.  Many ferts do not contain Nitrogen or Phosphorus as these are considered to cause algae.  However they are essential macro nutrients for plants, in order to be able to use the liquid carbon you are adding they need these nutrients.

thank you that is kinda what I needed to be explained I have read a lot and keep getting all my notes mixed up I was looking at leaf zone for the macro one.

 

[daizeUK]

API Leaf Zone is good for Iron and potassium.  It doesn't contain Nitrate or Phosphorus but for your amount of plants it might be okay.  See how you get on with it, just be aware that if plants show signs of nutrient deficiency then you might need to add N+P.
 
Back right of the tank, is that a java fern planted in the substrate?  They need their rhizome to be above the substrate & best attached to wood or rocks, same as you have done with your anubias.

 

[stacey3272]

API Leaf Zone is good for Iron and potassium.  It doesn't contain Nitrate or Phosphorus but for your amount of plants it might be okay.  See how you get on with it, just be aware that if plants show signs of nutrient deficiency then you might need to add N+P.
 
Back right of the tank, is that a java fern planted in the substrate?  They need their rhizome to be above the substrate & best attached to wood or rocks, same as you have done with your anubias.

ummm I thought it was a sward I know or thought one was a java fer  But I may have gotten them all mixed up. Here are two different plans are the both java ferns. If the one you asked about by this house things is I can see why it is not doing as well. I have the second one in the other corner is that a java fern to?

 

[stacey3272]

 
 

 

[tunagirll]

Is that black bush algae growing on your ferns?

 

[daizeUK]

They both look like java ferns to me.

 

[stacey3272]

Is that black bush algae growing on your ferns?

not sure never had it only had the brown alge. I looked at pictures and this is not hair or any thing like that I think just decay maybe .if its a Java fern and I have had roots in substrate. maybe its from that.

They both look like java ferns to me.

I guess I have some unplanting to do today. now to find something to connect them to .

 

[PrairieSunflower]

One the left photo, are those a straight row of brow dots on the underside of the leaves?  If yes, then those are seeds and a natural part of growth.  Does look like a bit of algae as well.

Here is one of mine with seeds underneath at the moment.