Anyone? Please? I need fertilizer help!! 3 tanks with various plants.

I have 3 tanks. 38g bow front tall, 20 regular and 20 long. I mostly have the same plants in all 3 and really like all types of plants so I'd like to have enough light to grow them all well.

On my 38 I have a Current Satellite freshwater LED+. I usually rotate what daylight I use to simulate the weather more than just straight full on sunlight all the time.

On my 20 reg I just have the inadequate Marineland hood light that came with it.

On the 20 long I have the Marineland LED strips that came with the 38.

I plan to replace both of those over the next few months with something that has a 24/7 timer setting preferably.

I'm sorry but I really don't know what all plants I have or what light they need but am willing to learn.

The only thing I'm currently dosing is Seachem Flourish Excel at the rate of 1mL/10gal every other day. I was using some sort of liquid fert I got locally but I don't remember what it was and its gone now ...

I love a good deal so if it's cheaper to buy dry I will but if it's better to buy liquid I'll do that ... I just want my plants to do well and my tanks to be healthy.

Here are some photos for plant ID.

38 gal






20 reg




20 long




I should also add that the gravel tanks have CaribSea floramax and eco complete substrate. The sand is Florida beach sand. I also have a whole home water filter if that matters.

 

Bump

 

Anyone?

 

Really? No one can help me?

 

Any admin that can help? This has been up for 3 days with no responses other than me bumping.

 

I am not sure your question is clear.

I was new to plants just 2 months ago and appreciate your rush to learn but patience is key. It's not so complicated and you will learn little at time with trial and error.

Without co2 you are low tech which is fine for those plants. They will just grow slower. The flourish should be good to start.

Sorry hit send early.... Start by id'ing the plants. I see some Amazon swords who would appreciate root tabs. I'll try to help you I'd some below.

In the 38 I see crypts, swords (enjoy root tabs) and anubias (these should be tied to wood and left unplanted). Flourish and root tabs are good here. Lighting needs upgrade likely. I am a fan of beamwork (for planted tanks with white, blue, red and green). Affordable too.

 

Thank you! So root tabs for all or just the sand?

 

The 20 is wisteria and swords. The wisteria will be fine with flourish. Beautiful set up!

The 20 long same....yes root tabs for the Amazon swords. The tabs are pricey and I have just been placing one in the substrate near each sword not all over the tank like the box says to do.

Fish poop will fertilize in a low tech tank.....are you cycling to stock?

 

The 20 is wisteria and swords. The wisteria will be fine with flourish. Beautiful set up!

Sorry ... yes, 20 has wisteria, sword of some sort, fern Of some sort, dwarf hair grass?, moss ball, pothos, duckweed.

38 has a large sword (Amazon?), crypt, anubias, duckweed, pothos, and a few on the right I'm not sure about ...

20 long has wisteria, fern, sword, pothos, duckweed and a couple back right that I can't remember.

Fish poop will fertilize in a low tech tank.....are you cycling to stock?

All tanks are stocked ... only the 20 long is currently cycling. And I guess it's not fully stocked. I eventually want more plants in all but am just adding here and there.

So root tabs for the swords is all that is needed?

 

From my experience yes...the root tabs for the swords and the flourish is the place to start. After a month or so you'll see what you like and what deficiencies you may have. Good luck

 

From my experience yes...the root tabs for the swords and the flourish is the place to start. After a month or so you'll see what you like and what deficiencies you may have. Good luck

Thank you for giving me a place to start!

 

Thank you! So root tabs for all or just the sand?

Root tabs in the sand for sure. The other substrate already has the nutrients in it.

 

Are the Osmocote capsules ok? If so, I can make some of those myself.

 

Yes, there are a lot of people that make their own osmocote capsules. I'm still waiting for my buddy to make some so I can some get some from him.

 

I was going to ask about those....you can buy them homemade on Amazon, eBay, much cheaper.....they are equivalent?

 

Well I already have capsules and figured I could just grab a bag of Osmocote and make some ...

 

I would give it a go! I am going to buy some when my tabs need replacing in a month or so.

 

Ok ... so just so I'm completely sure what to do ... only place tabs under the swords? Do all plants in the sand need tabs or at least tabs near them or still only the sword?

 

Ok ... so just so I'm completely sure what to do ... only place tabs under the swords? Do all plants in the sand need tabs or at least tabs near them or still only the sword?

It wouldn't hurt to put tabs near everything planted in the sand. They'll develop root systems to anchor them and those roots will absorb nutrients.

 

Ok great! I picked up some Osmocote this evening and will get some capsules placed later on tonight!

Re dose monthly? How will I know it's time to do another capsule?

 

Ok got some tabs placed last night ... I'll let you know how everything does!

 

Ok great! I picked up some Osmocote this evening and will get some capsules placed later on tonight!

Re dose monthly? How will I know it's time to do another capsule?

I feel I always end up asking questions on other people's threads... But I too would like to know how often to put another root tab or change them?

 

About once a month. Watch your plants for nutrient deficiencies. If they start to look a little sickly and it's been a few weeks, then stick another tab close by.

 

I feel I always end up asking questions on other people's threads... But I too would like to know how often to put another root tab or change them?

I don't mind ... I do the same thing. I figure we are all here learning!

 

I don't mind ... I do the same thing. I figure we are all here learning!

Well I'm glad and we definitely are all learning. This is such an amazing site.