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Alrighteythen....

A question to pick everyones brain, if I may,
When utilizing "liquid ferts" or suppliments what method works best for you;
A. dose in the mornings before we leave for the day
B. dose in the morning and evening
C. dose just before "high noon lighting" (bright period)
D. whenever 'cause time of the day don't seem that critical

Just a general question, I'm sure there is gonna be a fairly broad response with mixed results.
I'll start, I dose in the mornings during the week, and weekends I dose in the morning and about 1 hr before "noon lighting"

Next ?

i usually only dose once a week with API Leaf ZOne after a WC.

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

Hi,
One of our FP members, Keith down in OZ, wrote SeaChem
a lengthy email asking several questions about their
products and the use of them. I'm not sure he asked
your particular question, but from the huge amount of
data he received back, I suggest you write them with
this question and see what they have to say and the
rationale for it. Then, please share the results!

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I dose in the mornings because I think that's the best time based on plant physiology. Before the lights come on is the time when the CO2 concentration is highest - because when the lights are out, it's not being consumed, but plants, fish, inverts, etc are all putting it out through respiration. So, to allow the plants to make the most of that CO2 while they're photosynthesizing, I add ferts before they begin doing so.

That is, however, mostly theory. I'm not completely certain that the plants don't grow just as much at night as they do during the day. I think the most important thing is to be consistent - ie. don't alternate between ferting in the evening and morning, because the concentration of nutrients in the water will swing widely day to day.

><>

I fert once a week, and during the WC, so I have to say I do mine during the day. I'm pretty sure that plants grow during the daylight hours more than a night, If the hydroponic herb garden is any metering stick, they grow alot during the day and not so much at night. The instructions say that 13 hour light cycle and 11 off to give the plants time to rest. I know I get alot of fresh basil everyday.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that if you fert daily I would do it when the lights come on for the day, If you fert weekly, I don't think it matters.

Djrichie
"So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish" Douglas Adams

yupyupyup

I tend to agree with the theory super, does make most logical sense to dose in the mornings just as the light cycle has begun for the day.

Frank, I have sent email-made TX calls to API, Seachem, Kent, Hagen and Tetra tho API-Kent-Seachem, for whatever reason the email I sent was returned, thus I made the phonecalls.... lol I'll get them one way or another, should hear back from Tetra and Hagen within the next few days, and will post replies as I get them,
Anyone else know of/ use a LIQUID fertilizer product I have not mentioned, please jump in by all means !!

Thanks all

J.

i bought seachems flourish because they didnt have excel. i dose after a water change (sat or sun) and again on wednesday(anytime when lights are on) i dont know if its doing anything though.....

Hagen replies with;

We thank you for taking the time to contact us.

When administering any type of liquid plant fertilizers, there is not a "best time of day" to perform this. It will make no difference whether the plants are fed liquid fertilizers in the morning, afternoon, or evening, they can be fed at any time throughout the day. I hope this information helps.

Thank you,

Dave Restaino
Customer Service Dept.
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.

Tetra has responded,
Time of day is not a critical element. Watch the plants to see they
improve. The key is not to over do it. Stay consistent so that you
have some bench mark of improvement. If they are slow growing plants,
the tap water, fish food and waste will be enough to keep them healthy.
You can always cut back on fertilizers, if needed.

Thank you for choosing United Pet Group.

Sincerely,

United Pet Group



2 our of 5..time of day not critical.... intresting

API returns call from yesterday, speaking directly of their Leaf-Zone, again timing, unimtant.
It does seem that everyone has slightly different dosing preferences as far as how often and how much, of course I knew this would vary widely.

Bottom line it seems, if its working with good results, keep it consistent !

Thank you all

J.

hmmm interesting... I have flourish, root tabs and both iron and potassium liquids. I haven't used the Fe and K yet, but have begun dosing with the Flourish at water changes, about once a week to once every 10 days. My plants seem to be greening and growning more quickly than they did prior to my using ferts...

Thanks for the research Iron!

Ironhand74... Great question .My experience so far using Seachem ferts says that time of day does not matter . However some ferts should not be dosed at the same time .In particular Potassium should not be dosed with Phosphate and Nitrogen . Flourish Excel according to Seachem stays complexed in the tank for 24 hours ..so again consistency is the name of the game . My view is that early in the lighting cycle is probably the best as others have said , but I'm not sure it matters too much .

So to answer your multiple choice question , "A" but not definitively.

Garry

AHHHH, good mention of the ferts to NOT dose with at the same time, didn't think of that angle...excellent add countryfish, thanks !!!

J.

yes, I did read on the labels of my new Iron and Potassium additives that they are not to be used in conjunction with any other type ferts. The way it was written on the label, it sounded like they didn't want you using their stuff with other brands. But I think the deal is not to use it in direct conjuction with other chemical ferts... correct?

When I contacted Seachem it was for the quantity of the liquid fert not the time of day.

They told me what tests to get done and they worked from that and several months later more tests and a slight adjustment was made.

I Fert every morning when I feed only reason so I will not forget. This is for the Betta tank only.

The 5ft tank once a week at water change time I only use a locally made Fert.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

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

Scott ...Seachem recommend that you use their Iron supplement everyday ..so for them I don't think thats right for their product .I couldn't say for other brands as they may have other things in there ..my advice is to check the reasons with the manufacturer .

Garry