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L# Freshwater Aquaria
 L# Planted Aquaria
  L# Plant Food?
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SubscribePlant Food?
john.stone
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male usa
Which commerical aquatic plant food do you use and recommend?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Report 
Babelfish
 
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Small Fry with Ketchup
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female australia us-maryland
I use Flourish, regular in two of my planted tanks. I'm bad about regular dosing normally it's only when I start to see a bit of yellow on the hygro .

I've gotten better since I was able to get a syringe for measuring .

^_^

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Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile Homepage AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
john.stone
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male usa
Thankies Babel .

I have another question ... Is the "Jungle Labs Plant Care CO2 Fizz Factory" worth anything? Or is it a piece of junk?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Babelfish
 
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Small Fry with Ketchup
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female australia us-maryland
Ummm actually in testing phase right now...I was ever so sure I ordered root tabs but I ended up with the fizzy lifting drink ....I doubt that they'll really work, 1 tablet once a week per 10 gallons, only reason I decided to try is that I've got a handy semisorta planted 10 on my desk @work . You'd probably be better off with DIY CO2, the hagen thingy, or flourish excel.

^_^

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Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile Homepage AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
john.stone
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male usa
*nods*
Will do capin'.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
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male usa us-northcarolina
I use plant tabs for ferts, and only dose liquid ferts when the plants ask for it. The liquid ferts I use are kent freshwater and flourish iron.



Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Babelfish
 
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female australia us-maryland
I suppose I should have mentioned that I'd be using root tabs if the company I ordered from hadnt' sent me the wrong thing unless it was my mistake which is also possible .

^_^

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Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile Homepage AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
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Hi,
Commercial plant "food" such as Flourish, or the Tetramin
products are a kind of a "multi vitamin" for
plants, in that they contain some of everything that plants
need. The problem is that different plants (val, crypts,
floating, swords, etc.) use (take up) different
nutrients at different rates.
The possible result of this is that you could have
an excess of some nutrients in the tank and a
defficiency of others. The excess can lead to
a good, strong, healthy, growth of algae.

If you are getting started in plants, or have a "new"
tank or not really seasoned, then they are probably a
good way to cover all the bases.
However, if you have a seasoned tank, using gravel
or sand, or a "plant friendly" substrate such as
Flourite, Laterite, EchoComplete, etc. then you may
want to think of making your own additives specific
to your plants needs.

Check out this site, one of many such:
http://www.csd.net/%7Ecgadd/aqua/art_plant_dosage_calc.htm

Before I switched substrates some ten years ago to 100%
Flourite, I used the Flourish with Iron liquid, and tetramin
plant tablets. Now I dose specifically.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Shannen
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male usa
I just use flourish excel only. Reading Franks post now has me worried.

As I don't really have any deep rooters like swords I don't use those root sticks.

Last edited by Booger at 07-Jan-2005 15:42
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
I use Tropica Master Grow for micros and local root tabs for root feeders.

Tread carefully. One of the most common and natural mistakes for beginners with planted tanks is over fertilization or inappropiate ferts. A tank with no C02 should need little fertilization and should only be used at signs of defiency.Also the type of plants play arole in the type and frequency of fert used.Fast growing stem plants may need some liquid fert from time to time (with Co2 , every few days), plants like swords need root ferts and slow growers like crypts, ferns and anubias rarely need additional feeding.

For the plants you have selected (in your other thread), it would be best to concentrate on substrate fertilization rather then liquid.

Tetra have a product called Initial Sticks which are designed for newly planted substrate which should suit your purposes nicely. Azoo also have a product called Red Pearls which are little red balls designed as a long term sustrate fert. Root tabs need to be only added about once a month. They are safer to use as they are out of the water column and less likely to cause algae problems.


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Dr. Bonke
 
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male finland
I use "Easy-Life ProFito", it is a liquid fertilizer which contains all the trace elements plants need, but not any nitrates or phosphates. Before I tried this stuff I used "Tetra PlantaMin" but for some reason I always ended up with increased algae growth after using that, with the Profito I don't have that trouble, which my plants grow a bit too good for my liking
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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