Fertilizers?

[MetalRavioli]

Heyo all!

So, I;ve had a planted tank for a while now, and my recently set up 90 gal is a planted tank.

The already set up tank is a 29gal with some fluval stratum or whatnot, with some generally easier plants. Java ferns, jungle val, (I think wisteria?) amazon sword, and a few other ones.

The 90gal has a sand substrate, with a bunch java ferns (a few different types) jungle val, anubias gigantea, and a red tiger lily.

I've been using some fertilizers for these tanks, but they don't seem to be working that well to keep the plants the greenest and healthiest they can be. What products of fertilizer/root tabs/other would you recommend? I'll probably be adding more plants to both tanks once I know what to use, as I'd like to see them lush up I'd be open to taking multiple different products as I know that's whats needed for tanks!

(P.S., don't have Co2. Will probably get at one point)

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Fish poop is the best fertilizer there is IMHO. Free and self-dosing.
I don't know about the bioload of most of your 341 liter's fish, but the bristlenose ought to provide plenty.

 

[tlindsey]

I personally feed the Amazon Swords Fluval root tabs and Aqeon liquid plant fertilizer for the Anubius.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Some years ago I tried to come up with a way to feed the roots of Amazons. I have used commercial stuff but wanted something more homemade. I bought some decent potting soil mix. I added a little water to a small amount to make it just sort of moist. I then would freeze the wet/damp potting soil. Tried different things but small chunks in a bit of aluminum foil was OK for in the freezer inside a zip lock bag.

I would try to quickly insert the frozen chunks into the substrate of my swords. Got most of it in but there was always some that flaked off into the water. I eventually gave up. I have tried to buy some empty pill capsules from drug stores but get told such are not available. Seems wrong to me as pharmacists compound medications. But they will not sell any if they have them.

Two things to be careful of. One is the sort of soil mix used. Wish i had done some sort of long term study but i did not. So others may have some ideas. The other is finding a way to package the soil mix so it does not make a mess. Freezing works up to a point.

 

[Fishman Dave]

for swords and vallis I like to add a layer of garden clay beneath fine gravel. Still sometimes add root tabs but not often but that would be my choice if not using my clay layer. Vallis in sand is possible but you get better results with fine gravel. Plec poop is good but don’t ignore cleaning the gravel. Not too thoroughly each month but I find vallis also benefit from a little cleaning as it draws water over their roots and seems to invigorate them. Obviously the lighting plays a part in lush plants too. In water fertiliser will be ok for wisteria but even that will use root tabs too. With most planted tanks one of the main forgets is water flow. Plants still like water to flow, not generally strong but a steady flow/turnover.

 

[phreeflow]

I’ve purchased empty pill capsules on Amazon and filled them with Osmocote and stuck them under the roots. Works fine.
But it’s not always just ferts…you have to look at lighting, water quality, flow, etc.

 

[kno4te]

I’ve purchased empty pill capsules on Amazon and filled them with Osmocote and stuck them under the roots. Works fine.
But it’s not always just ferts…you have to look at lighting, water quality, flow, etc.

Do this now. Works well.