Best fertilizer?
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nicolapompicola Offline
#1 Posted : 15 January 2010 12:34:16(UTC)

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For my little tank? It has 11w of light, no co2 (yet) and easy to grow plants.. Bear in mind it's only 30l, so a big bottle is going to last me forever. I need one with plenty of iron in, as my plants are starting to go yellow..

thankies!
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ferox Offline
#2 Posted : 15 January 2010 13:13:47(UTC)
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Rather than add iron from a bottle I find it's better to have it in the substrate for long term slow release - something like API First Layer Laterite or Tetra Complete Substrate mixed with the bottom substrate layer. I don't add any fertiliser to my tanks at all and the plants grow like crazy.

I once had 2 almost identical tanks set up, could grow plants in one but the plants always went yellow in the other. I put that down to the former having red granite rocks as decor, as the granite contains mineral iron which slowly leaches out.

Another thing I tried as an experiment  which is working surprisingly well was just to scatter a handful of panel pins on the bottom of the tank before putting sand in. The pins are presumably rusting away slowly releasing iron, and the plants are great!
Garden shed full of tanks (tropicals) and a pond.

Without understanding, knowledge is worthless
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nicolapompicola Offline
#3 Posted : 15 January 2010 13:20:04(UTC)

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Bit difficult when the tanks already set up though!
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Bluedave Offline
#4 Posted : 15 January 2010 13:21:29(UTC)
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Dennerle liquid daily A1 (can get it in small bottles) one squirt a day and API laterite as Ferox said....... sorted!
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nicolapompicola Offline
#5 Posted : 16 January 2010 19:03:45(UTC)

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I can't do the Laterite thing, my tanks already set up, and i spent far too much on my fish to risk upsetting the balance of the tank by stirring the gravel up... Saying that, I do have some Iron pills i got from the Drs, you reckon they would be ok to use? Just thinking they're already chelated, and are rather strong? I was also thinking of using THIS as a daily fert?
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nicolapompicola Offline
#6 Posted : 16 January 2010 21:49:22(UTC)

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Have put the iron tabs in the substrait, when they get wet, they turn into a rather nice gooey brown mess when they get wet. Will find out if the fish are Ok with it in the morning.
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ferox Offline
#7 Posted : 16 January 2010 23:10:45(UTC)
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Best of luck with the pills Nic, hope that works. What else is in them other than the chelating compound? Impossible to predict how long they'll last, if the iron gets into the water too easily you'll end up chucking it out when you change water.
Garden shed full of tanks (tropicals) and a pond.

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nicolapompicola Offline
#8 Posted : 16 January 2010 23:14:19(UTC)

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Just binding ingredients I think.. Yeah, Maize Starch, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Gelatin, Liquid Paraffin and Purified Water. Only slightly worrying thing in there is the liquid parffin.. Will see how long they last, hopefully they'll perk my plants up!
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imustbedreamin Offline
#9 Posted : 17 January 2010 08:56:49(UTC)

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tropica plant nutrition plus.
 
plants can be grown perfectly without laterite but the water column must be dosed well.
stupid is as stupid does
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nicolapompicola Offline
#10 Posted : 17 January 2010 15:42:40(UTC)

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thanks Sye!
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Bluedave Offline
#11 Posted : 18 January 2010 08:17:34(UTC)
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Agree with Sye that you don't NEED laterite but it does bloomin' help especillay if you've got Ech. species.
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imustbedreamin Offline
#12 Posted : 18 January 2010 11:32:12(UTC)

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consider dosing easy carbo or similar too nic
stupid is as stupid does
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lilac_froggy Offline
#13 Posted : 19 January 2010 15:52:34(UTC)

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Well despite feeding and fermentor CO2 our plants were not looking their best. Had some persisting thread algae.I decided to just stop everyhing and they certainly didn't get any worse. I left it like that for a couple of weeks then restarted regular feeding including the easycarbo again and the fermentor CO2. Things have improved very well and the plants picked up and growing again. I have also just added a few new plants to fill some gaps. The algae has almost gone.
Using some Flourish once a week at water change and easy life pro-fito during the week along with the easycarbo both daily.


Have you heard of this one Sye? I expect they are all just about the same . The reviews like it. Cheaper than Easycarbo.
http://www.aquaessential...o0udlgtj0rlvhhf6097tigs7
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imustbedreamin Offline
#14 Posted : 19 January 2010 16:24:21(UTC)

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certainly heard of it jan, richards own brand,
never used it though always used easycarbo or excel and have been happy with that.

about the same price as the easy carbo i have
stupid is as stupid does
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nicolapompicola Offline
#15 Posted : 19 January 2010 23:07:38(UTC)

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I was looking at the own brand ferts, as AE are doing a deal on them.. hmmm...
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lilac_froggy Offline
#16 Posted : 23 January 2010 14:12:17(UTC)

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I noticed the various deals too Nic.
I bought my stuff from here last time as they had some good deals on ferts and foods http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/fish
They sell Easycarbo etc.
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nicolapompicola Offline
#17 Posted : 30 January 2010 17:38:44(UTC)

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Just an update on the iron tabs I used, i've not lost any fish, and the plants seem to be growing much greener and stronger!
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ferox Offline
#18 Posted : 30 January 2010 23:15:23(UTC)
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Good to hear that Nic, be interesting to see how long the effect lasts.
Garden shed full of tanks (tropicals) and a pond.

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lilac_froggy Offline
#19 Posted : 31 January 2010 14:10:20(UTC)

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Very interesting that Nic
I have two tubs of iron tabs I no longer have to take. Wonder if I should have a go with them LOL.

Our plants are doing much better at the moment though. Forgot to say I put laterite at the bottom at set up, but that's a few years ago now so that won't be doing anything by now. I lalso use fert balls from time to time.
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