FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Just wondering what chemicals ppl use when feeding there plants?? and how often...how much??

Got java moss today....Want it to thrive asap!! hehe :%)

Opiate
I do not have Java Moss but I have seen it growing very well with the help of Co2

I use a liquid fert made locally in Oakleigh 5ml once per week. I buy it bulk and works out far cheaper.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

well..if u have only java moss in ur tank..i dont think u need anything at all...it will grow on its own once settled...but if u have other plants just like me...i use flourish...just half dose recommended to avoid algae break-out. but...there r tons of other gud choices out there.

Last edited by tankie at 28-Jun-2005 08:09

For Java Moss ? Fish poo and tap water ought to do it

Plants need a wide range of nutrients all should be present in the above items. Whether you need need to add any additional depends on a number of factors, light, amount and quality, number and type of plants, Co2 content.

What works for others may not be good for your situation.

Ferts alone will not cause a plant to thrive if the other requirements (light/co2) are not being met.

Java Moss is an easy one, shouldn't need much work.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

ummm i put about 5ml everyday and i have a few plants is it ok?

10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta
1oto
2platys

ummm i put about 5ml everyday and i have a few plants is it ok?

As I've tried to point out many times, and most recently in your last post regarding light, questions like this are meaningless and impossible to answer.

Without knowing the size of the tank, lighting, co2 etc it's impossible to say. It's like asking how long is a piece of string

5ml a day in a hight light c02 tank may be too little in a 5gal low light non co2 tank it would be a breeding ground for an algae farm.

From what I do know of your tank 5ml a day is way over the top - that's nearly as much as I put in my 65gal, co2 injected, very heavily planted tank.

Do not not consider fertilizers as "plant food" (especially around me, sorry, but it's real pet peeve). Calling it food suggests it's something you have to feed the plants every day or they'll die. A very wrong assumption.

There's lots of goodies in tap water, fish food and fish waste. The need to add more depends on the set up of the tank and the ability of the plants to consume the nutrients present.

Sorry, told ya I was cranky today

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Here's a list of a few thing that folks use, this will grow any plant:
KNO3
KH2PO4
SeaChem equilibrium(for GH, or you can Epsom salt(MgSO4) and CaCl2, clacium hardness increaser, sometimes sold as deicer for winter sidewalkes or as an air dryer compound)
Trace elements, generally Seachem Flourish is the more popular, then Tropica Master Grow, Sera, Kent and other brands are relatively decent.

The raw chems work and are the same thing the commericial brands add essentially and cost only a few$ for a few year's worth of supplies and are easy to dose.

Remember plants use the same basic building blocks no matter what brand etc is used.

If you do a non CO2 approach, adding the eSeaChem eq and a little KNO3/KH2PO4/Trace will take care of most things if dosed weekly.

CO2 methods need dosed 2-3x a week.

Regards,
Tom Barr