Whats The Best Nutrient

[eb2]

I have some floating plants in my tanks to keep algae down, however the plants aren't really thriving their growth is definitely not keeping up with my Goldfishes appetite. I don't want to have to go to the LFS every week for more plants, what should I use to improve their prospects? thanks !!1

 

[aaronnorth]

Floating plants don't need nothing, just a basic off the shelf fert to keep them healthy, goldfishes will eat a lo of plants destroy them, vallis is a strong plant that is often kept with goldfishes

 

[Colin_T]

Make sure they get plenty of light. Maybe increase the length of time your lights are on.
And add some liquid iron plant fertiliser. Sera Florena is pretty good and should help make the plants grow faster.

You can also try feeding the goldfish more vegetables in their diet. You can try them on pumpkin, zucchini, peas, corn, most things. But don't feed them onions or their relatives, and no potatoes.
Try feeding them raw veges or blanching them for a few seconds to soften them up.

 

[eb2]

Make sure they get plenty of light. Maybe increase the length of time your lights are on.
And add some liquid iron plant fertiliser. Sera Florena is pretty good and should help make the plants grow faster.

You can also try feeding the goldfish more vegetables in their diet. You can try them on pumpkin, zucchini, peas, corn, most things. But don't feed them onions or their relatives, and no potatoes.
Try feeding them raw veges or blanching them for a few seconds to soften them up.

How many hours on the lights? I'm about 7-8 right now. Those fish are eating peas, but perhaps not often enough. I've gotten the Betta to eat peas, but I don't know about other veggies for him. In my LFS I've seen "flourish" and not much else, I'll have to check the web for Sera Florena. thanks

 

[Colin_T]

goldfish are vegetarian and will eat until they are full. Any plants in the tank will be fair game unless they can grow fast enough. Try feeding the goldies vegetables every meal. It should reduce their appetite for the plants.

You can have your lights on for up to 16 hours per day. Plants & Fish need 8 hours rest but can have light for the rest of the time.
If you have metal halides then only increase the lighting by an hour a week and don't bother having them on for more than 12 hours. Fluorescents can be on for 16hours. If you get lots of algae then decrease the lighting period.
I would try increasing it to 12 hours and add more veges for the fish. If the plants still aren't growing quick enough then increase it a couple more hours.

The other thing you can do is grow plants in a tub outside. Just fill up a plastic tub with water and add some plants & fertiliser. Then you can use these to replce the ones being eaten.

 

[eb2]

goldfish are vegetarian and will eat until they are full. Any plants in the tank will be fair game unless they can grow fast enough. Try feeding the goldies vegetables every meal. It should reduce their appetite for the plants.

You can have your lights on for up to 16 hours per day. Plants & Fish need 8 hours rest but can have light for the rest of the time.
If you have metal halides then only increase the lighting by an hour a week and don't bother having them on for more than 12 hours. Fluorescents can be on for 16hours. If you get lots of algae then decrease the lighting period.
I would try increasing it to 12 hours and add more veges for the fish. If the plants still aren't growing quick enough then increase it a couple more hours.

The other thing you can do is grow plants in a tub outside. Just fill up a plastic tub with water and add some plants & fertiliser. Then you can use these to replce the ones being eaten.

ok great! in a tub inside you mean, I'm in Minnesota

 

[Colin_T]

inside, outside, what's wrong with Minnesota currently?

 

[eb2]

inside, outside, what's wrong with Minnesota currently?

dude, there's something wrong here, it's been 20 degrees colder then normal for weeks, I wore a down coat today May 1st!