Do planted tanks always need aquarium plant fertilizer?

[boomer]

Direct sunlight on an aquarium can indeed cause a host of problems. Algae growth is probably the least worrisome of these, although it's still a nuisance. More concerning is the potential for water heating, which can be quite significant. Then there's the issue of light striking the fish, which can lead to health issues. And let's not forget the risk of the glass cracking due to direct sunlight.

[coltin]

I'm not buying the whole glass cracking from sunlight thing. If that were true, my single-glazed windows would've shattered years ago. I've had tanks right next to windows, and the glass never cracked.

Sure, if you leave an empty tank outside in the sun with moisture on the underside, the base might crack due to steam buildup. But that's not the scenario we're talking about here.

As for water temperature, I've never seen more than a 1-2 degree Celsius increase from direct sunlight. My tanks were against a wall, with the windows right next to them, and we get some serious heat in Western Australia (40 degrees Celsius in the shade, easy).

And let's be real, most surface-dwelling fish are used to getting plenty of sunlight in the wild. Catfish and bottom-dwellers might not get as much, but that's not the point. The point is that sunlight isn't the fish-killing, tank-cracking disaster some people make it out to be.

[boomer]

The essentials for plant growth, whether on land or in water, boil down to three key elements: light, water, and carbon. These are the fundamental building blocks, and while other nutrients play a crucial role in promoting healthy growth, they're not as vital as these three.

Light is the easy one - it's provided by your aquarium lighting. Water's a given, as your plants are already submerged in it. Carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, is abundant in both water and air. It's produced by your fish as they breathe, by the filter bacteria as they consume oxygen and release CO2, and it seeps into the water from the air.

Other essential nutrients include nitrogen, which is readily available in your aquarium thanks to fish food and waste. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all provide the nitrogen your plants need to thrive.

Phosphate is another critical nutrient, but it's not typically added to aquariums as it can be detrimental to fish. Phosphorus helps promote root growth and strengthens plant cell walls.

Potassium's also important, particularly for flowering plants - although this isn't typically a concern for aquatic plants.

Iron's a trace element that's commonly supplemented in aquariums, as it's often lacking in water supplies. It plays a vital role in promoting healthy chlorophyll production, which is essential for photosynthesis.

Other trace elements also contribute to plant health, making them more resilient to disease. Think of it like taking a multivitamin - it's not essential, but it can't hurt.

In general, most aquarium plants do just fine with light, water, and the nutrients provided by fish food and waste. If you do decide to add extra nutrients, it's usually a good idea to increase light and CO2 levels to ensure your plants have access to everything they need to thrive.

The notion that sunlight isn't an issue for aquariums is misguided. While some may claim otherwise, the fact remains that most aquarium fish hail from South America, where their natural habitats are vastly different from those found in northern Australia.

Consider the diverse environments in which these fish thrive – from shaded rivers and streams to ponds and lakes. Many of these watercourses are characterized by limited sunlight, with forest canopies or overhanging vegetation blocking out the intense rays. Even in areas with full sunlight, the water is often murky due to suspended particles or covered with a thick mat of floating plants, which absorb and reflect much of the light.

In these environments, fish have adapted to live in dimly lit conditions, their eyes designed to capture the maximum amount of available light. However, when placed in brighter environments, they instinctively seek shade. This is evident in the aquarium, where many forest fish prefer to congregate in shaded areas. Baensch & Riehl (1987) even referred to this phenomenon as a "light phobia" in characins.

The impact of light on fish extends beyond their behavior, influencing their coloration as well. Specialized cells called melanophores contain melanin-filled pigment granules that aggregate or disperse in response to light, altering the fish's shade of color. This process is not just a response to darkness but also to environmental stimuli, stress, and social interactions.

In the store tank, fish often appear pale or lose their color after being netted and bagged. Similarly, fish in brightly lit tanks frequently exhibit less intense coloration. This "washed out" appearance is a natural response to high stress. To promote healthier fish and more vibrant coloration, it's essential to provide shade and use the minimum intensity of light necessary.

[Breezeyfans]

This is all the info I can find on the tube. The packaging says 18w, but it doesn't give a Kelvin rating.

[boomer]

The essentials for plant growth, whether on land or in water, boil down to three key elements: light, water, and carbon. These are the fundamental building blocks, and while other nutrients play a crucial role in promoting healthy growth, they're not as vital as these three.

Light is the easy one - it's provided by your aquarium lighting. Water's a given, as your plants are already submerged in it. Carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, is abundant in both water and air. It's produced by your fish as they breathe, by the filter bacteria as they consume oxygen and release CO2, and it seeps into the water from the air.

Other essential nutrients include nitrogen, which is readily available in your aquarium thanks to fish food and waste. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all provide the nitrogen your plants need to thrive.

Phosphate is another critical nutrient, but it's not typically added to aquariums as it can be detrimental to fish. Phosphorus helps promote root growth and strengthens plant cell walls.

Potassium's also important, particularly for flowering plants - although this isn't typically a concern for aquatic plants.

Iron's a trace element that's commonly supplemented in aquariums, as it's often lacking in water supplies. It plays a vital role in promoting healthy chlorophyll production, which is essential for photosynthesis.

Other trace elements also contribute to plant health, making them more resilient to disease. Think of it like taking a multivitamin - it's not essential, but it can't hurt.

In general, most aquarium plants do just fine with light, water, and the nutrients provided by fish food and waste. If you do decide to add extra nutrients, it's usually a good idea to increase light and CO2 levels to ensure your plants have access to everything they need to thrive.

That's good. Daylight tubes from Bloomeria are a decent choice. I've used Bloomeria and Phillips tubes on my larger tanks and they work well. The "daylight" label usually translates to around 6000K, so you should be fine with this one.

[Breezeyfans]

Just a thought, I'm happy with my tank, but I've been wondering about LED lights. Do any of you have experience with them, especially the ones that let you adjust different shades of light?

[boomer]

The essentials for plant growth, whether on land or in water, boil down to three key elements: light, water, and carbon. These are the fundamental building blocks, and while other nutrients play a crucial role in promoting healthy growth, they're not as vital as these three.

Light is the easy one - it's provided by your aquarium lighting. Water's a given, as your plants are already submerged in it. Carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, is abundant in both water and air. It's produced by your fish as they breathe, by the filter bacteria as they consume oxygen and release CO2, and it seeps into the water from the air.

Other essential nutrients include nitrogen, which is readily available in your aquarium thanks to fish food and waste. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all provide the nitrogen your plants need to thrive.

Phosphate is another critical nutrient, but it's not typically added to aquariums as it can be detrimental to fish. Phosphorus helps promote root growth and strengthens plant cell walls.

Potassium's also important, particularly for flowering plants - although this isn't typically a concern for aquatic plants.

Iron's a trace element that's commonly supplemented in aquariums, as it's often lacking in water supplies. It plays a vital role in promoting healthy chlorophyll production, which is essential for photosynthesis.

Other trace elements also contribute to plant health, making them more resilient to disease. Think of it like taking a multivitamin - it's not essential, but it can't hurt.

In general, most aquarium plants do just fine with light, water, and the nutrients provided by fish food and waste. If you do decide to add extra nutrients, it's usually a good idea to increase light and CO2 levels to ensure your plants have access to everything they need to thrive.

Two things to consider when it comes to LED lights for your aquarium. First, plants require a specific spectrum and intensity of light to undergo photosynthesis, and many LED units fall short in one or both of these areas. If you're aware of what you're getting, that's ideal, but it's a costly endeavor. I've personally tried five different units, only to return them due to their inadequacy. My experience has led me to stick with T8 fluorescent lights, which is what you're currently using.

The second point I'd like to make is regarding the impact of light on fish. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "different shades of light," but it's essential to understand that light significantly affects fish, influencing their physiology, metabolism, and overall health. To create a healthy environment, it's crucial to mimic natural light conditions as closely as possible, both in terms of the light itself and its duration. A period of complete darkness, lasting several hours, is also necessary within a 24-hour cycle.

[Breezeyfans]

I'm not sure about using fertilisers, won't they just feed the algae too. I'm thinking of just waiting to see how the plants do without them for now.

[angelica]

Depends on various factors - water parameters, plant types, lighting setup, and stocking levels. I personally maintain low-tech tanks and rarely use fertilizers. Check my signature for more info.

Finding the balance is key, it's all about trial and error. No one solution fits all, and it's going to take you a few weeks, or even longer, to figure it out. I've got multiple tanks, and each one is different when it comes to light and nutrient requirements. Things change within a tank, and you'll soon learn to recognize those changes and respond accordingly.

[goldminer]

Here's my two cents. I'm a low-key fan of the KISS principle. Keep things simple, that's my motto. Forget about all that fancy CO2 stuff, Estimative Index dosing, super bright lights - it's all just too much hassle. Use plants that are easy to care for, and just experiment with them. If they grow, great. If they don't, no big deal.

I've had great success with Crypts. They can grow up to 30 cm tall and do well in low to medium light. I'm probably the laziest fish keeper out there. I change 50% of the water every week, but that's about it. I never vacuum the substrate - why bother, right? I do add a few drops of Seachem Flourish comprehensive every now and then, but only if I remember. And yeah, I sometimes clean the front inside glass, but the back and sides are off-limits.

I use Easy Life Fluid Filter media as my water treatment, and sintered glass media in my filters - about 1 kg per 100 liters of water. And of course, I feed the fish. That's about it. Oh, and I've got snails - Malayskento4 Trumpet, Rams Horns, and Mystery snails. They're great for keeping the tank clean.