Two questions for the plant experts (that means you)

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Redearsunfish

Redearsunfish

Piranha
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2009
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A nice lake full of game fish!
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So I want to give my Java Fern tank a little boost. With that in mind:

1. What's the best all purpose, easily available additive/fertilizer on the market?

2. I'm always concerned about adding such additives, as I don't want to add harmfull checmicals to my tank - heck I siphon with my mouth when I perform water changes - should I be concerned about this? Whenever I read "iron" on the packaging, or "do not consume", it always scares me off. Am I off base here?

Thanks for your time. I truly do appreciate it.
 
Excel is made of a chemical that is used to clean medical instruments in hospitals. It is handled by people wearing protective gear such as gloves. Excel is very diluted though. Excel is a liquid carbon supplement so in other words it offers plants the same benefits as CO2.
If you want a basic additive just to get started on fertilizers and see what a difference they make I would try Flourish Comprehensive.
 
splant;4490897; said:
Excel is made of a chemical that is used to clean medical instruments in hospitals. It is handled by people wearing protective gear such as gloves. Excel is very diluted though. Excel is a liquid carbon supplement so in other words it offers plants the same benefits as CO2.
If you want a basic additive just to get started on fertilizers and see what a difference they make I would try Flourish Comprehensive.
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What the heck? Protective gear? No thanks.
 
Redearsunfish;4490981;4490981 said:
What the heck? Protective gear? No thanks.
Click to expand...
haha sounds like you shouldnt be keeping plants, or fish for that matter. do you treat your water for chlorine/chloramine? there are plenty of other 'scary' chemicals out there that you should be more worried about. the stuff is safe, but i wouldnt go out and drink it just for schnitz and giggles either.

i add all kinds of stuff to my planted tanks, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, mono potassium phosphate, chelated iron, trace minerals, and Excel. as far as i know i dont have cancer, havent gone mentally retarded, or started growing a third eyeball.

a little common sense goes a long way :cheers:
 
jcardona1;4491023; said:
haha sounds like you shouldnt be keeping plants, or fish for that matter. do you treat your water for chlorine/chloramine? there are plenty of other 'scary' chemicals out there that you should be more worried about. the stuff is safe, but i wouldnt go out and drink it just for schnitz and giggles either.

i add all kinds of stuff to my planted tanks, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, mono potassium phosphate, chelated iron, trace minerals, and Excel. as far as i know i dont have cancer, havent gone mentally retarded, or started growing a third eyeball.

a little common sense goes a long way :cheers:
Click to expand...

^^:headbang2^^
 
I have been using caterpillar frass (poo) to feed my plants. I make a dilute tea from it and it works great. Probably wouldn't douse the tank though--is it possible to remove the plant and let it soak in a separate feeding container?

If you don't have access to frass try small amounts of nitrogen rich poo like aged chicken droppings soaked in water. Keep in mind, this stuff can burn/kill plants if applied too strong.


Kind-of like fertilizing bonsai I guess, lol.
 
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