Which Fertiliser?

[Ben M]

hi, i am wondering which fertiliser is best for my plants. i have previously used a weekly liquid fertiliser and i am now using solid clay-based balls. i have also seen a liquid that you add daily. the plant i have/am going to get are anubias coffeefolia, java fern/moss, vallisneria gigantica, ludwiigia, cryptocoryne: wendtii green, moehlmannii, bullosa. amazon sword plant, butterfly fern, Bacopa Caroliniana and Heteranthera Zosterifolia.

any ideas as to which type is the best. i don't know if the clay balls add any nutrients to the water for the floating plants and the fast growing background plants.

cheers

 

[Curiosity101]

Depends how complicated you wanted to go really.

If you're having a lot of plants and not that many fish then you might want to use TPN+. I dose every other day and no longer have plant deficiences.

 

[Ben M]

i would like fertiliser that i could buy easily either from my lfs or from a proper company on the internet. i don't mind if it's a bit complicated but i wouldn't pay loads. i want a lot of plants. are internet shops such as the green machine or plants alive any good.

thanks,

ben

 

[RadaR]

i would like fertiliser that i could buy easily either from my lfs or from a proper company on the internet. i don't mind if it's a bit complicated but i wouldn't pay loads. i want a lot of plants. are internet shops such as the green machine or plants alive any good.

thanks,

ben

The Green Machine is an amazing shop! IMO the best aquatic plant shop in the UK. It's online shop is also very good. If you can, pay the shop a visit. It's in Wrexham in Wales.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, i can't go to wales as i live in east yorkshire but i'll look on the website

 

[Ben M]

i think i'll use TPN+ but what exactly is it, and where can i buy it?

 

[aaronnorth]

i think i'll use TPN+ but what exactly is it, and where can i buy it?

Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium & Trace elements
green machine, aqua essentials, fluidsensor online & ebay sell it.

 

[Ben M]

thanks! how much should i use and how often?

 

[aaronnorth]

1ml per 20litresdaily or every other day. Adjust as necassary

 

[Jallen]

i think i'll use TPN+ but what exactly is it, and where can i buy it?

Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium & Trace elements
green machine, aqua essentials, fluidsensor online & ebay sell it.

This may be a silly question...
Why does it add nitrate if that is naturally produced by filter bacteria? And doesn't it stress the fish a bit?

I guess with more stocked tanks ferts aren't so important, I guess that's because of the extra nitrates being produced?

 

[RadaR]

i think i'll use TPN+ but what exactly is it, and where can i buy it?

Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium & Trace elements
green machine, aqua essentials, fluidsensor online & ebay sell it.

This may be a silly question...
Why does it add nitrate if that is naturally produced by filter bacteria? And doesn't it stress the fish a bit?

I guess with more stocked tanks ferts aren't so important, I guess that's because of the extra nitrates being produced?

Because the bacteria don't produce enough of it, or quick enough. Plus you'd have to be feeding the fish a hell of a lot. It doesn't stress the fish no.
A well stocked tank but with low lighting shouldn't need extra nitrates introduced, the fish will be producing enough waste to be converted to nitrates for the plants to use. Theoretically that is.

 

[aaronnorth]

i think i'll use TPN+ but what exactly is it, and where can i buy it?

Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium & Trace elements
green machine, aqua essentials, fluidsensor online & ebay sell it.

This may be a silly question...
Why does it add nitrate if that is naturally produced by filter bacteria? And doesn't it stress the fish a bit?

I guess with more stocked tanks ferts aren't so important, I guess that's because of the extra nitrates being produced?

in a low tech tank with heavy stocking N&P arent always needed in a fertiliser,

1ppm of ammonia will yield 2.7ppm of nitrite, which will in turn yield 3.7ppm of nitrate.
You wont see this exactly due to plants using nutrients etc. But as you can see, it isnt much.

And tests have shown that most fish can withstand Nitrate levels in the hundreds, with salminoids & fry being the most sensitive at around 40-80ppm

 

[Jallen]

i think i'll use TPN+ but what exactly is it, and where can i buy it?

Nitrate, Phosphate, Potassium & Trace elements
green machine, aqua essentials, fluidsensor online & ebay sell it.

This may be a silly question...
Why does it add nitrate if that is naturally produced by filter bacteria? And doesn't it stress the fish a bit?

I guess with more stocked tanks ferts aren't so important, I guess that's because of the extra nitrates being produced?

in a low tech tank with heavy stocking N&P arent always needed in a fertiliser,

1ppm of ammonia will yield 2.7ppm of nitrite, which will in turn yield 3.7ppm of nitrate.
You wont see this exactly due to plants using nutrients etc. But as you can see, it isnt much.

And tests have shown that most fish can withstand Nitrate levels in the hundreds, with salminoids & fry being the most sensitive at around 40-80ppm

*stops doing water changes*



kidding

 

[Ben M]

cheers for the dosage!