Do my plants need fertilizer?

I just finished planting my first tank and I can’t seem to find a clear consensus online about fertilization. I have a couple different Anubias plants, some compacta swords, some dwarf hair grass, a couple different Java ferns, and like 2 other species I cannot recall the name of right now without the packaging. They all seem to be fairly beginner friendly so I planted them all in some seachem fluorite red clay gravel. If I understand correctly the gravel does contain nutrients but are they enough to sustain the plants? The set up is pretty dense in a 10 gallon and the hood has two 5 watt blue/white fluorescent lights. I have been dosing with an api liquid CO2 booster the directed dose. Is there anything additionally I should be doing? What’s the best way to cycle from here?

 

First thing, make sure the long part at the base of the java ferns and anubias (the rhizome) is up out of the substrate, they will most likely die otherwise. Only bury the roots themselves. The lights may or may not be enough, you may have to look into some planted tank specific lights (finnex for example). For ferts I would look into an easy all in one solution, like nilocg thrive or thrivec (for lower energy tanks).

 

I believe flourite is an inert substrate, so your plants will look their best if you have ferts. Some kind of solid all-in-one fert is easiest and cheapest such as osmocote. Use these ferts very sparingly because they usually have high levels of nitrogen compounds i.e ammonia.

Liquid fertilisers are more effective but more costly.

For your light, is there any way you can measure the PAR rating? Check the packaging or find a PAR meter you can measure the light with.

 

Plants need nutrients, but whether you need to add those nutrients to you tank via fertilizer depends on your tank. Sometimes folks luck out and their fish waste and tap water have everything their plants need. But, in my experience, this is unlikely. Usually, you'll run into some deficiency issue sooner or later. Therefore, the safe bet is to add fertilizers.

The liquid CO2 booster is not a fertilizer per se. You'll want something with macro and micro nutrients. There are a few all-in-one fertilizers out there that make things easy. Personally, I like to use a combination of liquid fertilizers and root tabs.

 

I believe flourite is an inert substrate, so your plants will look their best if you have ferts. Some kind of solid all-in-one fert is easiest and cheapest such as osmocote. Use these ferts very sparingly because they usually have high levels of nitrogen compounds i.e ammonia.

Liquid fertilisers are more effective but more costly.

For your light, is there any way you can measure the PAR rating? Check the packaging or find a PAR meter you can measure the light with

As of right now I cannot find a PAR rating and have no way to measure it. The lights I have available are two 10 watt 50/50 blue/white lights, two clear T10 incandescent 25 watt bulbs, and two blue 25 watt incandescent bulbs. I initially had the two 50/50 bulbs in but I thought that 20 watts might not be enough for a 10 gallon. I currently have one blue and one clear 25 watt bulbs in but only half the tank gets clear and half the tank gets blue. Which would be the best choice in the meantime while I find a better solution?

 

As of right now I cannot find a PAR rating and have no way to measure it. The lights I have available are two 10 watt 50/50 blue/white lights, two clear T10 incandescent 25 watt bulbs, and two blue 25 watt incandescent bulbs. I initially had the two 50/50 bulbs in but I thought that 20 watts might not be enough for a 10 gallon. I currently have one blue and one clear 25 watt bulbs in but only half the tank gets clear and half the tank gets blue. Which would be the best choice in the meantime while I find a better solution?

Since they aren't LED, 50 watts may be enough for your plants. It might not be enough for the dwarf hairgrass. Watts per gallon is a flawed rule though because of varying light efficiency. The only true way to tell is to wait and see, or to measure it with a PAR or lux meter.

 

I have been using SeaChem Florish and Excel, I actually just recently planted my aquarium as well, and they have been doing well with this nutrients being added with every water change. Its fairly easy to use, and you can buy at your LFS or on Amazon. Also, yes make sure if its a bulb plant the roots only go into the gravel and the bulb is left out of the substrate.

 

I have been using SeaChem Florish and Excel, I actually just recently planted my aquarium as well, and they have been doing well with this nutrients being added with every water change. Its fairly easy to use, and you can buy at your LFS or on Amazon. Also, yes make sure if its a bulb plant the roots only go into the gravel and the bulb is left out of the substrate.

It’s pretty difficult to get them to hold in the fluorite with only the roots being buried so I used these little baskets with a foam center. I’m not sure how they’ll work but i think I used them correctly. I grabbed some Flourish and a bottle of osmocote plus but I cannot find gel caps locally so I will have to wait til I order some to make tabs. Considered using ice but I’m not sure I have a good sized ice tray.

 

It’s pretty difficult to get them to hold in the fluorite with only the roots being buried so I used these little baskets with a foam center. I’m not sure how they’ll work but i think I used them correctly. I grabbed some Flourish and a bottle of osmocote plus but I cannot find gel caps locally so I will have to wait til I order some to make tabs. Considered using ice but I’m not sure I have a good sized ice tray.

Regarding the Osmocote, you don't need to put them in gel caps. I don't. I just use tweezers to push one little sphere deep into the substrate every inch or two. Then, about three months later, I do it again.