What do you do after 2 years

[robin]

Hi, just a curious question for all lao jiao
What do you do to your tank after 2 years?

Do you
1. re-fert with pellet insertion into soil
2. Reset tank
3. Leave as is and continue routine

If you insert pellet what kind do you use?

Regards
Robin

[David]

Hi Robin

Most aquatic planters would have a layer of base fertiliser....and usually with the thickness that has been recommended by most suppliers, it would be able to see you through 5 years or so.....

[joe]

Hi David, many people have claimed that base fert will lose their effectiveness after 2 yrs or so. Would that be a conservative thought or is your 5 yrs a better gauge?

[geoffrey]

I do not think that is an issue. Some have not use it at all and have succeed in keeping wonderful tanks. Beside, we could always fertilise through the water column using liquid fertiliser.

[Simon]

my 6ft is coming to 5 years and the some of my echinodorus not growing as before...

[joachimsim]

does adding base fertiliser help?

[joachimsim]

regards to Simon's Case..

[Simon]

I have 100% rosette plants, therefore in my situation, nutrients in the base fert will run out faster compared to those with combination of stemmed and rosette plants. Anyway, I intend to redo the whole tank since I'm moving house soon

[juggler]

For my case, my tanks so far did not last more than 2 years -- because I upgraded them.

But I am sure over time, the wastes from the fish will accumulate in the substrate and make it fertile. Or you can insert fertiliser pellets or sticks into it. Fertilising from the water column too to keep the plants going.

[David]

Hi Joe

it all depends on the thickness recommended by the supplier......some are being conservative and recommends the minium for a certain number of years......increase the amount if you want to double it.......bare in mind as well what Juggler has mentioned that overtime the fish poop will break down and be used by the plants as base fert.......this process will also be more effective if a substrate heater is used.

[wynx]

Hi all...

My tank is coming to its 5 years already...No major rescape done. The base fert should be there but not as potent as before. I supplement with some root monster from time to time to provide the echinodoruses and plants with big roots additional nutrients. Seem to work well for me.[]

[Darkkon]

I am just a beginner to planted tanks and my 1.5ft was started with no base fert at all... been 2 years already and some of the plants are still growing like crazy. Can't identify them (told you i beginner)... they not even listed in the plant directory. Guess must be super low requirements. Anyway i have this question to ask all the experts here. Without fert the plants might not grow, but will they die? I was thinking after 2 years they should have already grown considerably... why make them grow again then trim?

[robin]

Wah this is amazing, I ask one thing and so many people reply with so many views. Thanks!

[robin]

I thought I read somewhere that fish waste only turn into fert at lower than certain PH

[PeterGwee]

That's another myth from don't know who. []