Aquarium fertilizer

[Quesenek]

Actually, by definition, it is a fertilizer.

You are right. I had Excel = Co2 (gas) stuck in my head for some reason even though I have used it before and it is clearly not that.

 

[JakeH]

Not true. In order to keep plants growing healthy, you need the proper mix of NPK (most basic fertilizers), micro-nutrients, co2, and lighting. If you have a pressurized co2 kit, and keep your levels right, then you have to have other ferts, or you will still get algae. Excel can be completely removed from a good planted tank.

You are absolutely correct, of course, but all he asked about was liquid ferts & I didn't want to confuse the issue... I figured a question like that suggests his setup is low-light, low-tech, and NEW. In my experience, iron-rich liquid ferts in lowtech tanks are algae bombs. I still think the OP should stick to Excel & root tabs until its time for CO2. It'll get plenty complicated at that point!

 

[carsona246]

I second the dry ferts to save money, just make premixed liquid ferts in large doses so you only have to mix them up once every two weeks or so. If your going planted tank you wont have too worry about having enough algae for your oto's. Soon you'll have more than you can handle

 

[pjsmetana]

Dry ferts, cheap and good... buy in bulk. For those of us that don't plant their large tanks (me) I'd say just use the cheapest liquid fert you can find. They all work about the same, and that is, very well. API seems to be the cheapest. But right now I'm using the same thing as you, because the API stuff was sold out at the LFS. I actually think the API was doing better... but it could just be in my head.

 

[Daigle107]

I have 65 watts in a 29 gallon tank, so just over 2 watts/gallon, I am not currently adding CO2, but I plan to do it soon, and yes, it is a very new setup, it was started at the beginning of July. My plants are doing very well so far, but the idea of using dry ferts, how exactly do I do that?? Do I need to mix it in with my substrate or what is the deal?

 

[jcardona1]

I have 65 watts in a 29 gallon tank, so just over 2 watts/gallon, I am not currently adding CO2, but I plan to do it soon, and yes, it is a very new setup, it was started at the beginning of July. My plants are doing very well so far, but the idea of using dry ferts, how exactly do I do that?? Do I need to mix it in with my substrate or what is the deal?

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fertilizers-water-parameters/21944-_dosing-regimes_.html

dosing details for dry ferts. i dont mix anything. just measuring spoons and dump it in the tank

 

[Daigle107]

It's also not just the otos, I plan on getting a pleco soon, max size is 4" (just so you all know that I'm not sticking a common pleco in a 29 gallon). Is cucumber a good snack for my otos? I've heard of people feeding it to plecos.

 

[Quesenek]

It's also not just the otos, I plan on getting a pleco soon, max size is 4" (just so you all know that I'm not sticking a common pleco in a 29 gallon). Is cucumber a good snack for my otos? I've heard of people feeding it to plecos.

Yeah that should be fine to feed them both. What kind of pleco? I love pleco's but I hate how they make my sand look like a cow pasture due to the amount of crap they produce.

 

[JakeH]

It's also not just the otos, I plan on getting a pleco soon, max size is 4" (just so you all know that I'm not sticking a common pleco in a 29 gallon). Is cucumber a good snack for my otos? I've heard of people feeding it to plecos.

Depends on the type of pleco, but my rubbernose pleco & my otto's never touch the cucumber. Otto's will find plenty to eat without it & it would take them a month to chew through a slice of cucumber anyway. Just feed the pleco what he likes & let the Otto's do their thing.