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I've been having trouble getting robust growth from my wistera and javamoss in my tank. I have 96watt 6700k over 46gallon. I'm using eco-complete, which is iron rich, etc.
Should I still be using liquid ferts or is the wisteria getting everything it needs from the eco-complete.



My Scapes

Yes you should be using ferts. The Eco will deplenish after a wile anyhow.

From Tropica.com:

Hygrophila difformis is beautiful and undemanding. A plant for beginners which can help create a balance in the aquarium from the start. Its rapid growth helps prevent algae because the plant absorbs a great number of nutrients from the water. The shortage of micro-nutrients leads to pale leaves, which may be an indication that the aquarium needs fertiliser. In large aquariums its lobed leaves can create a distinctive group.

The site indicates that the plant does best in medium to very high lights. I run 3 wpg in Ecocomplete without fertilizer and some of the wisteria grows out of the tank while other wisteria bunches show moderate growth. I do not fertilize as the plants do not indicate a need for ferts. The echinodorus, heavy root feeders, are robust and very healthy.

Pinch off a bit of the wisteria and let it float. Don't be stingy and make it too small! It should readily develop roots and new shoots. Use the floating piece to gauge the growth of your planted wisteria.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Thanks Bob,

I don't see pale growth, just very little growth with the current 2wpg w/o ferts.

My Scapes

I agree with Bob, unless it's showing signs of nutrient deficiency, I wouldn't add ferts.

I've never found it to be a lightning fast grower anyway.

Could also depend on how it was grown before you planted it. A lot of Wisteria for sale is actually grown emmersed. While the emmersed will changeover and grow submersed, it never seems to do as well.

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