Non-CO2 Planting Basics For A First Timer..

[jeebus]

Hey everyone, I just came back from the auction with some Java Moss, Cork Screw Val, and Sagittaria Subulata.

The two upright plants I only have one question: "What type of liquid fertilizer should I add to the water that will help them, in a Discus tank?

The Java moss I have two questions. The first one is the same as above: What liquid fert should I add?" and the other is: "How exactly is it installed on driftwood?" Do I just wrap it around, shove it in, and make it stick any way possible??

I know these are silly day-one questions, but I really don't know. Thanks!

[armthehomeless]

The guys at NASH will probably be of more help than I, but I'll get you started. Java moss is extremely undemanding. There are a number of ways to install it to driftwood, but I've found using a dark colored thread to tightly wrap around the driftwood to work the best. Wrap around it often... don' worry about seeing the thread. The java moss will eventually cover the thread (which will eventually dissolve anyhow).

You may want to ask wesleydunder about what he used on his tank, as I think the other two plant were his, I believe. Those two plants came from a Co2 injected tank.

[jeebus]

THANK YOU! Thread sounds exactly what I was missing.

As for the other two plants, I saw on the bag that they came form Wesley, what I'm hoping is that I can "fake it til' I make it" with some liquid ferts, co2 supplements, and good lighting.

If its possible, I just need to know what stuff to buy.

[Darbex]

What kind of substrate do you have? Correct me if I am wrong Plant people but unless you know exactly what your deficiencies are I generally use the all around fert. And what I also learned is depending on your substrate you can get the root tabs to supplement your plants for a long period of time where as the liquid ferts are short injections so to speak. Low to Moderate plants in my experience does well with just ferts and liquid carbon with the right amount of lights no CO2 needed

[jeebus]

Thanks Darbex, this is exactly the advice I'm looking for. Now, more specifically, what are my "all around fert" options and the same for liquid co2?

[Darbex]

Seachem Flourish Excel is the liquid carbon I use. And everyone one makes the ferts I use Brightwell Aquatics Multi or the Seachem Flourish Trace
(click on the names to see the products)

[wesleydnunder]

Jeebus, I used a dry fert mix from AquariumFertilizers.com, called PMDD pre-mix. It contains macros and traces together. It can be dosed dry but is not a very homogenous mix so you may want to make a solution with distilled water. The Krib has an article on it: http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/pmdd-tim.html
Traci made a solution with some PMDD pre mix that I gave her. She can probably tell you how she made hers. If you're using Excel as a carbon source, I'd suggest starting light on the ferts. You can always increase if your plants show deficiencies. Tim is correct, those plants came from a co2 injected tank.

Mark

[jeebus]

Okay, I think I'm going to grab the Seachem brand fert/carbon today since I know where to get it, then will do some research on the other brands. I'll also dose as recommended above.

Thanks guys!

[Darbex]

good luck and let us know how you are progressing

[jeebus]

Okay, I got some Seachem Flourish Excel and I couldn't remember what the other one was called so I bought just the "Flourish" instead of the "Trace".

Here's my next question.. What about the Flourish Iron, Potassium, Phosphate, and Nitrogen?

Is the "Flourish" just a mix of all these, and those are individually packaged for those who like to tinker and perfect certain levels of each, I guess dependent on the type of flora?

Will the general "Flourish" be okay for food or do I still need the "Trace"?

[Darbex]

No the flourish and flourish trace a very similar. The others are to target specific defeciencies I can not remember what things are far what issues but the bottles should say or you can look them up what Phosphate defecency looks like.

[jeebus]

Okay, cool. In that case, I'm going to run with what I've got at what everyone here has similarly recommended.

[kwc1974]

Be careful with the Excel, some mosses do not like it and will melt. That being said just do no over do it.

"Flourish" is your general comprehensive fert. this is your backbone to your fert regime. Try using this first, as you will progress, some plants will need Iron and others, or you will see certain defincencies and you will need to add those in.

[jeebus]

Okay, so I used the recommended doses of Flourish and Excel three days ago, two days after planting. All of the plants are looking a little strained. They are all losing their vibrant green color they came with.

What would everyone recommend I add next and how much?

[kwc1974]

This could be from a lot of reasons, more than likely the plant are stressed form the move and need to re-establish in your tank. The tank the plants came from probably had CO2, so an adjustment to a differant carbon source is requried. I like to use ADA green gain, this has plant hormones in it to help the establishing process. Do not overdo this, you will get algea if you do.

Like I said, don't over do the excel; it will melt moss and vals. That being said, you can increase the dosage a little bit at a time. Seachem dosage values are on the conservative side. I would increase your Excel by 25% for a few days and see if the plant will tolerate that. If so, then increase another 25% until you find a good level to dose.

On the Flourish, I always dose twice as heavy as recomended by Seachem. This is no unheard of, like I said Seachem is conservative. Also, keep an eye out for yellowing or deteriation of leave structure, as this will indicate a lack of other nutriants.

One thing I do not rember is how much light you had or what kind of substrate you were using. Substrate can play some key roles in rooted plant nutriant intake and growth. And of course lighting...well it is kind of important :P.