Which Liquid Fert. Should I Use?

[woodstock]

Alright, so as a soon-to-be new planted tank (how long have I been saying that?), I'm deciding I will use ferts. These are all straight from the LFS (Petco/Petsmart) and not online, since I can't get online. I have a 10W compact fluorescent in a 5 gal. Planned plants will be anubias nana, braz. pennywort, needleleaf ludwigia. Maybe, but not likely, crypt. wendtii. All should be low-light plants.

These are pretty much the only ferts that are available to me in the stores:

API Leaf Zone Fert.
http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754007

Aqueon Plant Food
http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3714141

Tetra FloraPride
http/www.petco.com/product/3997/Tetra-Flora-Pride-Iron-Intensive-Fertilizer.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_WaterConditioners

I have gravel as substrate, about 2'' deep.

Of these, which would you recommend to a new beginner? Much thanks!

 

[lumpyheffalump]

i use the api leaf zone and i have been very happy with the results so far. been using it for a few months so far. good luck

 

[Truck]

They're all as bad as each other, it's a shame you can't buy online, non of them contain nitrate or phosphate.

 

[woodstock]

They're all as bad as each other, it's a shame you can't buy online, non of them contain nitrate or phosphate.

It's a huge shame, isn't it? I'd know I'd take advantage of it if I could. And I'm aware I'm "resorting" to these ferts. Oh well, def. better than nothing, you know?

 

[Truck]

If you have to go for one of them go for the 2nd one, try and get your hands on some KNO3+KH2PO4 and that way you can provde macro nutrients too.

 

[lljdma06]

If you have to go for one of them go for the 2nd one, try and get your hands on some KNO3+KH2PO4 and that way you can provde macro nutrients too.

I am surprised, TPN+ is readily available on eBay through aquaessentials. Yeah, it's a little pricey perhaps, but it's there.

Seachem also is regularly sold online and sells macros in liquid form. I used Seachem's line of liquid ferts and did EI with my firt planted tank with them. Yeah, again a bit pricey, but I loved the convenience.

TPN+ is even better, there isn't even any mixing. If you keep small tanks or if you are busy, which I am, it is very convenient.

llj

 

[woodstock]

Yes, but they're not readily available to me in the stores, which is the main/sad issue.

Truck, where would I get KNO3 and KH2PO4? In what form would they be in? And what would be the consequences if I dont? And good, you went with a cheaper one, haha.

 

[Truck]

They're in powder form and are normally available from specialist garden and hydrophonic stores.

 

[woodstock]

Generally cheap?

And also, how knowledged are you with the needleleaf ludwigia? I'd like as much red-color out of it as possible. Will your chosen fert. do that (is there enouguh iron)? And would I HAVE to have the KNO3/etc to get it? And is my lighting sufficient for it? (In the first post). Sorry, but I like the red coloring in the ludwigia. Lol

 

[Truck]

For the red colour in the Ludwigia intense light and CO2 play an important role as well as good fertilisations.

You would need something like a 15-20watt light, a CO2 unit preferably pressurized, and a set of good ferts.

 

[woodstock]

Haha, so in my specs., I can't expect even a little coloring? Oh well I'll make it through.