Need fertilizers for my tank?

[benedetto13]

First of all, I hope i'm posting in the right section. I know i need to state my tank and everything, so here it goes..

Dimensions: 2x1x1.5ft
No CO2/Chiller
55w PL light
ADA II/Gex Red packet
Using OHF
Temperature around 27degrees
No test kits

Using Nutrafin Cycle and Seachem Prime.

Tank used for Shrimp/CPO and ONLY moss. Currently java/xmas/stringy/us fissiden
Shrimps : Cherries and Sakura
Other fishes: Otto

I've been searching AQ for an hour or more, reading up on ferts. There are so many honestly that I got lost when i try to understand. I just want to see my moss growing well and my shrimps stable.

1) Do i really need test kits? (maybe recommend pocket-friendly types?)
2) What ferts/Supplements do i need?
3) Is my light too strong? I read that the stronger your light, the more the plant needs. then what do i need to compensate for it?

Thanks for reading, Thanks for replying in advance!

[benedetto13]

Seachem Trace? Excel? Flourish? I won't have plants other than my moss. Help!

[Shadow]

1) Test Kit is not a must but good to have if you face some problem
2/3) Question 2 and 3 are related. Fertilizer is depend on your light intensity. Since you don't inject CO2, you better reduce your light from 55W to maybe 36W or even 24W. You only plan to grow moss anyway.

[benedetto13]

1) Test Kit is not a must but good to have if you face some problem
2/3) Question 2 and 3 are related. Fertilizer is depend on your light intensity. Since you don't inject CO2, you better reduce your light from 55W to maybe 36W or even 24W. You only plan to grow moss anyway.

thanks Shadow, is there other ways i can compensate for lack of CO2 due to my 55w light?

[benedetto13]

help please! thank you!

[Shadow]

You can use DIY CO2 and also seachem excel. However if not mistaken (read from wikki) moss family are not able to make use of excel.

[benedetto13]

If thats the case, then no point of me getting it right? How about Trace, Potassium, Iron and etc. What test kits should i get? like the most basic. I almost gotten the Seachem Ph/Ammonia Alert then after researching, seems like a waste of money test kit.

[Shadow]

again it depend on the light. Everything is depend on light. If your light high, plant grow faster thus their requirement also higher. To satify their need, you need to start dosing CO2, macro (N, P, K) on micro/trace nutrient.

[benedetto13]

I get what you mean, thanks mod for sharing!

[Shadow]

Conclusion is if you want to stick with 55W, to be safe you will need CO2, and fertilizer dosing. If CO2 and fertilizer is out, you need to drop the wattage to 24W or 36W. Alternatively you can cover your light with black nets or you can also put floating plants.