Getting the most out of fertilizing your garden

[fadah]

Changing my substrate from gravel to sand and adding live plants - I've done my research, got a general idea, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Main thing I'm unsure about is fertilizing. Tank's still relatively new, been cycling with fish and it's going well so far. So, when I add the sand and plants, should I give them a one-time fertilization boost to help them get established, then just monitor and fertilize as needed? Like, if the leaves start getting discolored, that's my cue. I know once the tank's more established and the substrate starts getting nutrients from uneaten food and fish waste, fertilization needs will decrease, depending on the setup.

[boomer]

It somewhat depends on the plant species you're planning to add and how many you'll have. You're on the right track thinking that the fish waste will provide some nutrients, but it's hard to say if that'll be enough. The type of plants you're using will play a big role in determining that.

What plants are you thinking of adding to your tank? Knowing that will help in figuring out the best approach to fertilizing. I'll also want to advise on which fertilizers to use, but I'd rather wait until I know what plants we're dealing with.

[fadah]

It somewhat depends on the plant species you're planning to add and how many you'll have. You're on the right track thinking that the fish waste will provide some nutrients, but it's hard to say if that'll be enough. The type of plants you're using will play a big role in determining that.

What plants are you thinking of adding to your tank? Knowing that will help in figuring out the best approach to fertilizing. I'll also want to advise on which fertilizers to use, but I'd rather wait until I know what plants we're dealing with.

I'm thinking of starting with a sword plant, I really like those, and then maybe one or two smaller, bushier types, like some kind of carpeting plant or a type of aquatic grass.

[fadah]

I think you meant Sword, not Sore.

[fadah]

Current fish in the tank are platies, neon tetras, and cory catfish.

[boomer]

Lighting is crucial for plant growth - it needs to provide sufficient intensity and spectrum to drive photosynthesis for the specific plant species. The amount of light required varies depending on the plant's growth rate, with faster-growing plants needing more intense lighting and slower-growing ones requiring less.

In my experience, swords thrive in moderate lighting conditions. These plants, belonging to the Echinodorus genus, develop extensive root systems and are heavy feeders. I've found that using substrate tabs like Seachem's Flourish Tabs works wonders - just insert one near the plant's crown and replace it every three to four months. With a sufficient fish population, you might not need to supplement with liquid fertilizer, but this may vary depending on the other plants in your tank.

Grasses can be more challenging, often due to inadequate lighting. Pygmy chain sword plants are a great option for low-level planting and can provide a nice contrast to your other plants.

I highly recommend incorporating floating plants to help shade the light and improve water quality. They offer numerous benefits for the forest fish we keep.

Regarding your lighting setup, can you tell me the type and spectrum? Check for a 4-digit number with a "K" suffix, which should be listed on the unit, tube, or manufacturer's website.

[fadah]

I'm actually heading to my local pet store right now. I'm planning to pick up a better top and some upgraded lights while I'm there, since the current setup I got from Walmart is just the cheap plastic clip-on LED lights that came with it.

[boomer]

It somewhat depends on the plant species you're planning to add and how many you'll have. You're on the right track thinking that the fish waste will provide some nutrients, but it's hard to say if that'll be enough. The type of plants you're using will play a big role in determining that.

What plants are you thinking of adding to your tank? Knowing that will help in figuring out the best approach to fertilizing. I'll also want to advise on which fertilizers to use, but I'd rather wait until I know what plants we're dealing with.

Honestly I'm not the best person to ask about LED specifics, but I do know that spectrum is crucial for plant growth and algae control. What you want is a balanced mix of red, blue, and green - the colour wavelengths that make up white light. The issue with some LEDs is they're heavy on blue and lacking in red, which isn't ideal for photosynthesis. Avoid LEDs with separate red and blue diodes, and instead opt for ones with white diodes that have a good balance of red, blue, and green. Look for a Kelvin rating between 5000K to 6500K or a Colour Rendering Index close to 100 for the best results.