Need advise on Fertiliser regime

[Mookie]

I have just started my scape and have read lush gro and micro is a pretty good Fertiliser. Was hoping the experts can give me some tips on whether I should start dosing now and also how much to dose etc. Cause I really have no clue.

I have left my substrate to cycle for 2 months without any plants in it, as I was away. And have done 2x wc since I started planting. Once 80% and another 30% wc.

I would like the Monte Carlo to grow ASAP so I can put in my shrimps.

Tank - should be 30L of water with substrate/rock
Substrate - ADA aquasoil
Plants - Monte Carlo + some Aunbias Petite
Co2 - 1.5bps
Lighting - Up Pro Led on for 8hrs (4hr, rest 2 and another 4hrs)

[Mookie]

[milk_vanilla]

You could start the dosage from guideline, and can be added more once your plants getting denser or you observe a deficiency in future.

I'm using lush micro now, and i ~double up the dose from the written guideline.

[Naraki]

Off track but I would suggest putting the diffuser on the other side because the lily pipe can help to distribute the co2 rather than flowing straight up.

[thebaldingaquarist]

personally, i would be dosing only potassium, K2SO4 and some micros if you are not feeding the tank (since i don't see any livestock).

[hann]

Off track but I would suggest putting the diffuser on the other side because the lily pipe can help to distribute the co2 rather than flowing straight up.

I also put my diffuser below my lily pipe outlet. I thought the co2 will be better circulated this way as the outflow pushes the co2 out and around the tank more efficiently like the water is being pushed to almost most part of the tank. Using the way how the lily pipe works, I am using that theory to circulate the co2. What is your thought?

[Naraki]

I also put my diffuser below my lily pipe outlet. I thought the co2 will be better circulated this way as the outflow pushes the co2 out and around the tank more efficiently like the water is being pushed to almost most part of the tank. Using the way how the lily pipe works, I am using that theory to circulate the co2. What is your thought?

I suggested that because the output of the lily pipe is far from the bubbles. Thus only some will get blown/distributed. But if you put it at the other side. The flow of the lily pipe will 'hit' all of the co2 and extend the duration it stays in contact with water. But that also depends on the flow rate of your filter. If its too weak to carry the flow to hit the co2 at the other side. Then, its better to leave it as it is. Please correct me if I'm wrong

[Mookie]

You could start the dosage from guideline, and can be added more once your plants getting denser or you observe a deficiency in future.

I'm using lush micro now, and i ~double up the dose from the written guideline.

so I should use aqua and micro right?

[Mookie]

I suggested that because the output of the lily pipe is far from the bubbles. Thus only some will get blown/distributed. But if you put it at the other side. The flow of the lily pipe will 'hit' all of the co2 and extend the duration it stays in contact with water. But that also depends on the flow rate of your filter. If its too weak to carry the flow to hit the co2 at the other side. Then, its better to leave it as it is. Please correct me if I'm wrong

Will shift the co2 diffuser to the other side and see if it improves the distribution cos at the moment I'm just using a 2213 Eheim, not sure if it's strong enough. I read that if too much co2 goes into the inlet, it will later cause a build up in the canister.

[Mookie]

OMG can someone tell me which is the correct dosage to add, I followed the instructions on the bottle and added 4ml of Lush Gro Aqua to my 40L tank, but after examining further, the package came with a note saying 1-5 drops for every 10L

[hann]

OMG can someone tell me which is the correct dosage to add, I followed the instructions on the bottle and added 4ml of Lush Gro Aqua to my 40L tank, but after examining further, the package came with a note saying 1-5 drops for every 10L

The recommended dosage for Aqua is 1ml for 10L and the 1-5 drops for every 10L is for micro. If you are dosing aqua, the dosage you add is correct

[urbach]

I dose daily 2ml LGro and 2 drop Lmicro. On top of that supplements with other fertz but it depend how many plants you have. Mine using in 2ft tank for a year. Your dosage should be fine.

[hann]

Bro mookie, why did you put your inlet directly in front of outlet? How is your flow like? Any dead spots observed so far? I put my inlet at the same side of the tank with the outlet. Outlet pushes out to the other end of the tank and the inlet sucks in. Imagine it is like a big U turn. Your inlet and outlet is like a one way traffic.

[Mookie]

Bro mookie, why did you put your inlet directly in front of outlet? How is your flow like? Any dead spots observed so far? I put my inlet at the same side of the tank with the outlet. Outlet pushes out to the other end of the tank and the inlet sucks in. Imagine it is like a big U turn. Your inlet and outlet is like a one way traffic.

Ya there dead spots by the side of the lily pipe, I set it up like that becos I read in some discussion, this was better haha not sure if it is. But if some bro can confirm, it would be great!

[Mookie]

I dose daily 2ml LGro and 2 drop Lmicro. On top of that supplements with other fertz but it depend how many plants you have. Mine using in 2ft tank for a year. Your dosage should be fine.

Bro, what other ferts you use on top of the aqua and micro? Was wondering if need to put phosphorus?

[urbach]

Yep, you need phosphorus. My additional are phosphorus(P) and potassium(K). With equilibrium, one macdonalds coffee/stirrer spoon every water change once a week.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Why does mookie need phosphorus? Curious.

[Mookie]

Why does mookie need phosphorus? Curious.

Lush aqua and micro would be considered a comprehensive fertilizer? So no need to add others?

[thebaldingaquarist]

Lush aqua and micro would be considered a comprehensive fertilizer? So no need to add others?

For the next 3 months, you are looking to build plant mass. The Ada soil has most of the nutrients in abundance. The nutrients are also leeched to the water column is small amounts. During this period, you need to dose potassium and micros. Which is not leeched from the soil in good amounts. Micros are also required for the same reason.

After which if you start to put fish in and feed them, micros will not be necessary. As fish meal has most of the micros and a good amount of phosphates and nitrates.

After the plant mass reaches a stage where the dosage slows down growth, then adding nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium may be in order. Because the plants will be depleting what you put in far quicker than before. For my tanks with only foreground plants, that stage is never reached.

I am a newbie. So take what I said with a pinch of salt. Cheers.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Forgot to add, adding lushgro aqua and micros now is alright. But remember to do your water changes.