Proper fertilizing for a planted tank

Hey guys!

Lots of plant/CO2 questions lately, I'm sorry! So here's the deal.

10G cycled/heated
1 betta
5 rasboras
Anubias nana
Dwarf Hairgrass
Java Fern
Java Moss
Amazon Swords (might remove, not doing too good)
Light: Finnex Planted +24/7
Substrate: Eco Complete
CO2: Excel for now, DIY kit arriving in 1 month
Ferts: Flourish Comprehensive.

I can already realize from what I have read that comprehensive alone is not enough for my plants. When I get my CO2 set up I wanna try to carpet my hairgrass, so I need optimal conditions for my plants. So here's my question, I want to know exactly what products to buy and how I should be dosing my tank, this is all a little confusing since there are so many options out there!

Thanks!

 

I have no idea, but I have a similar set up and I'd love to hear the answers!

Currently I dump in API Leaf zone once a week per the instructions and API CO2 Booster every few days and that's pretty much it...Can't say my plants are looking great though so I'm sure something else needs to be on the list too!

 

JMO but you have what it takes between lighting and eco complete for the Hair grass to do well. Also the swords need root tabs if your not using them that's why there not doing well. To tell the truth I would do away with the swords. I have a 24" high tank and they have taken over where I've had to do some major gardening.

Anubias and Fern water is good and flourish isn't going to hurt. Just a question far from an expert but why do you think you need a CO2? Excel is fine and for what you have your benefit will come from using it as an algaecide. Get other opinions but the plants I have are doing well and it's pretty much what you have. if you want swords I believe they have what's called dwarf swords really don't know much about them.

 

Excel kills algae? How? I didn't see that listed as a feature. Do you double dose or something?

 

Excel kills algae? How? I didn't see that listed as a feature. Do you double dose or something?

When making Excel Seachem discovered that is was also killing algae which wasn't it's intent. That's why they don't advertise it as an algaecide. Read this it will explain it better.


Edit: That's how the story goes from what I read. I used it a long time and never had a problem with algae. I stop because it melts certain plants that I like.

Edit: You shouldn't double dose anything but Prime.

 

The main ingredient in excel is either a derivative of an algaecide or a proprietary name for the algaecide. Yes, it works at double strength to kill algae, but a regular strength maintenance dose is adequate in prevention.

Swords do need root tabs and they need to be replaced every few months. Adding liquid iron doesn't hurt, but isn't necessary if you're not doing for the benefit of other plants.

PetSmart sells a smaller variety of sword labeled "rosette sword" and mine never grew taller than 4 inches or wider than 6.

 

When making Excel Seachem discovered that is was also killing algae which wasn't it's intent. That's why they don't advertise it as an algaecide. Read this it will explain it better.


Edit: That's how the story goes from what I read. I used it a long time and never had a problem with algae. I stop because it melts certain plants that I like.

Huh will have to try it in the tank that seems to have algae issues I thought it was pretty much the same as API CO2 booster so hadn't opened it yet since I still have half a bottle of that left.

 

I do disagree with using it at double dose I'm assuming your saying double strength meaning double dose. Personally I would recommend acclimating your tank to it over time by smaller doses until you reach your directed dose for your size tank.

Personally in the beginning it did nothing for my plants but my tank didn't have any algae at all so I continue until I started buying plants that I like using Anacharis as an example and they started melting no matter how I tried to acclimate them to excel So I gave up on it and that's when I got into Nerites and again no algae problems.

@

Please read this before using. Be safe it's a chemical. I don't mean to be dramatic but you should know everything about every chemical your using.

 

I'm not advocating it! I did say it works as a preventative at regular strength.
The best way to combat algae is to fix the imbalance and then prevent its recurrence.

 

Greenplant is right. When I first started my planted tank I had no idea how to dose excel. The way its advised in the back had me confused, and I was dosing 5ml every couple of days which is way over what I should have been dosing. Well, I didn't have the smallest algae problem. As soon as I was corrected on this forum and advised the proper way, it only took a week for my plants and driftwood to be completey covered in algae!

I want CO2 because I want my plants to thrive. I know plants will do better with CO2 especially if you're trying to carpet, plus I'm looking for a heavily planted look that will be easier to accomplish with the help of a little CO2 injection. On top of that, excel melted all the valls I had planted on the back of my tank and is melting my java moss as well Excel doesn't do good with all plants, and makes the plants work harder in order to use up the CO2 replacement provided by excel, so they don't get the same amount of CO2 that they would with regular injection.

But when it comes to fertilizers, should I be giving the plants something more apart from flourish comprehensive? I've read so much about macro and micro nutrients that i'm just more confused now lol.

 

My Monte Carlo carpet is responding well to Excel, as are my Anubias and Swords. Unfortunately, it seems to be melting my Java Ferns.