Fertiliser for moss in non CO2 tank

[mmramos]

Hi Guys,

I'm newbie on planted talk so please bear with me. My tank has been setup for 3 months already with Java Moss and fern. But I'm wondering why my java moss is not flourishing like what I see in the pix here. The fern is growing fast. My tank is only 8 gallons with 13 watts. Now I just change my light to 36 watts PL daylight. And temp nowadays is hovering at 25 degrees using fan. I don't have a chiller. Now for the questions.

1. what fertilizer can I put in to supplement the growth of the moss?
2. will the fertilizer affect my fishes? is it 100% safe???
3. is daylight better or cool daylight (yellowish light)?

btw, pls don't recommend co2. no money and space for it

thanks.

[benny]

Your moss is not growing because there is insufficient Carbon. If you don't want to consider pressurized CO2, there are other options, including DIY solution. Otherwise, I would recommend that you try Seachem's Excel.

As for light, trying something between 6000 to 8000 kelvins.

Cheers,

[mmramos]

Hi Benny,

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure but now I stopped changing the water every week (25%) and the Java moss seems to be growing faster but not as green and lush like I see in the pix here. I'm trying to follow Diana Walstad's no water change procedure. I just hope my plants can consume all the nitrates before my fishes gets affected.

[Quixotic]

Diana Walstad's method also recommends 1.5-2.0 watts per gallon for non CO2 injection. Yours is around 4.5 watts per gallon, and may be an open invitation for algae. For that amount of light, you probably would do better with CO2 injection.

[mmramos]

Hi Quixotic,

Thanks for the advice but really no money and space for CO2 tank . Mine is low tech. So far no algae but just to keep it in check should I lower the lighting period (currently 10hrs). I think I need to stick with the 36 watts light because my tank is 26 inch (2.1ft) deep. Last time my 13 watts light doesn't even reach the gravel.

[Quixotic]

Ah if your tank is that deep, so yeah, you will probably need a higher WPG. But do keep a close watch on algae, reduce the lighting period if necessary and make the adjustments as you see fit.

[Doc-tor]

I noticed that at 10.000K to the mosses grow better than 6.400K.