Fertilizers

[OUTLAW]

Hi guys,
Went to a fish shop today and asked if they sell base fertilisers. They recommended me a few alternatives. I think if i'm not wrong, the brand is of Tetra. There is this fertilizer sticks, it claims to be the "starting kit" for new planted aquariums. Another is a liquid, and the uncle said pouring it in is equivilant to putting fertilisers.
Therefore i wld like to ask, are these 2 alternatives effective? Or is the traditional fertilisers better? I am setting up a 2ft tank.

Thanks

[Nature]

hmm i alo wanted to know too!!!...
which one is good for the plant still figure....hmm..
may be both works.....
*liquid will change yr water color to.....
*Bottom fetilizer wont......[:]

[pipsqueak]

I'm no expert on this topic, but i'll give it a go anyway.

base fert sticks gives a boost to plants? like for example, inserting them next to a plant. or to replenish the fert as the base fert has been used up, which lasts about 2 years, depending on how densely planted your tank is.

base fertilizers are essential for rooting plants, as they draw more nutrients from their roots instead of the plants, via the water column. Where as, some nutrients are better absorbed through the water column, not too sure what though, there's aa discussion abt it somewhere in this forum.

On the whole, liquid ferts are usually used weekly, dosing trace elements, which plants require.

IMO, i'd reccomend a good base fertiliser, if you are planning to have rooted plants in your aquascape..unless it was a riccia lawn you had in mind, then liquid fert is needed, as they do not have roots.

As to how much liquid fert to dose weekly, it depends on factors like, whether if the trace nutrients are used up in the water column, there's an alge bloom..
Hope this helped...can't really give you a more in-depth explaination..

[Simon]

in Singapore, we get a wide variety of fertilizers, so people tend to get confused over them. Basically, we would advise beginners to laid a layer of base/substrate fertilizer.. though base fert, it more for plants which absorb nutrients via their root system, mainly rosette whom are the main consumer.. but stemmed plants do absorb nutrients too, just not as much as the rosette.

the stick/tab fertilizer is used for additional purpose of boostering/replenshing nutrients for nutrients hungry plants.. u can find tabs containing several main elements, such as NPK, FE... etc

Liquid fertilizer is used after weekly water change to replensh nutrients in the water column, stemmed plants are the main consumer of it

[sherchoo]

Some plants have different requirements and take up nutrients differently. Some plants prefer to take up most nutrients from the water column while other via the roots (soil). Soil ia an etremely concentrated source of nutrients, esp trace elements. However nutrients like C, N and P is taken from the water as it is not generously available from the soil.

[OUTLAW]

Thanks for the useful information! Think as i'm a beginner, i will lay the base fert. then add supplements right? =) Anyway the JBL fert, is it good? For a 2 ft tank, how much(kg) do i need?

Thanks..

[pipsqueak]

I used one bag...for my 2 feet..but do take note not to pour water in!
I did that and it turned super cloudy. i waited a few days for it to settle
But it didnt.....wasted one bag...

Use a plastic sheet, and use a hose and direct the flow onto the sheet, i dont know the science behind it, but i had a pretty high volume of water going into the tank but the water spread itself out and the tank filled up crystal clear.

[PeterGwee]

Pipsqueak, did you lay a layer of gravel over the base fert? From my experience, as long as the layer of gravel is enough, there should not be any leeching of base fert into the water column causing cloudy water.

[sherchoo]

I find JBL relatively good. 1 bag of JBL fert would give you about 2.5cm provide if the width of you tank is 30cm.

Using a sheet of paper during inserting water is to cushion the water impact onto the substrate. This would not stir up dirt hence reducing cloudiness.

[Nature]

Wow thx alot from u all!!!...bro!!...
nice to have a experience from u all bro!!...
hmm.....

can tell me which one is good to use ..?
liquid or or....[:]

[sherchoo]

I would say both base fert and liquid fert should be used.... balance is the key to a sucessful planted tank.

[pipsqueak]

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On 2/16/2003 11:36:00 PM

Pipsqueak, did you lay a layer of gravel over the base fert? From my experience, as long as the layer of gravel is enough, there should not be any leeching of base fert into the water column causing cloudy water.
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yea, i did, but the jet of water was too strong..silly me...