Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers for Aquarium

[Nemo]

Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers for Aquarium

I gather an N-P-K ratio of 10-1-20 or 10-1-10 is desired in a planted
aquarium. Most Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers have way too much phosphate.
But how about the ones that don't like these two by Schultz (see links
below). Would they be safe to use in a planted tank?

Thanks

http://www.schultz.com/irongreen.htm
http://www.schultz.com/lawnprod.htm

[N. Wise]

>From: "Nemo"
>Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers for Aquarium
>
>I gather an N-P-K ratio of 10-1-20 or 10-1-10 is desired in a planted
>aquarium. Most Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers have way too much phosphate.
>But how about the ones that don't like these two by Schultz (see links
>below). Would they be safe to use in a planted tank?
>
>Thanks
>
>http://www.schultz.com/irongreen.htm
>http://www.schultz.com/lawnprod.htm

The problem with most lawn and terrestrial ferts is that the Nitrogen is mostly
offered in the for of urea or ammoniacal nitrogen which can be absorbed through
the leaves of terrestrial plants. Unfortunately, for aquatic purposes, this
would spike ammonia levels to possibly toxic levels and kill your fish or, at
the very least, cause an algae bloom.



Nick Wise
http://members.aol.com/nwwise01

[Bill Kirkpatrick]

Nick's right you have to be very careful with ammonia
sources, like urea, and others. Ammonia is toxic at fairly
low ppm dosages, so it is really easy to overdo it. For more...

http://www.buckmans-creek.com/ammonia.htm

Second, not all terrestrial ferts are complete. In fact,
many aren't. You need to compare the analysis sheet and
make sure their definition of "trace elements" includes them
all.

Third, there are fairly well designed and tested plant tank
formulas out there already, like PMDD, and a number of
commercial flavors as well. A "lifetime" supply of PMDD
will set you back $50. Then, if you want to add Phosphate
you can use basic Home Store SuperPhosphate pellets.

But, be aware, fish food has a good deal of Phosphate
(TetraColor notes 1.3% P). Most tap waters come with more,
or less, amounts too. It is pretty easy to get the X-1-X
part, without adding it into the fert mix.

****************************************
N. Wise wrote:
>>From: "Nemo"
>>Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers for Aquarium
>>
>>I gather an N-P-K ratio of 10-1-20 or 10-1-10 is desired in a planted
>>aquarium. Most Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers have way too much phosphate.
>>But how about the ones that don't like these two by Schultz (see links
>>below). Would they be safe to use in a planted tank?
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>http://www.schultz.com/irongreen.htm
>>http://www.schultz.com/lawnprod.htm
>
>
> The problem with most lawn and terrestrial ferts is that the Nitrogen is mostly
> offered in the for of urea or ammoniacal nitrogen which can be absorbed through
> the leaves of terrestrial plants. Unfortunately, for aquatic purposes, this
> would spike ammonia levels to possibly toxic levels and kill your fish or, at
> the very least, cause an algae bloom.
>
>
>
> Nick Wise
> http://members.aol.com/nwwise01

[Empty]

"Nemo" > wrote in news:aNs%b.262$Xy3.820@tor-
nn1.netcom.ca:

> Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers for Aquarium

The only terrestrial plant fertilizers I use in aquaria are Jobes Plant
Spikes, the ones for "lush ferns". They go under the substrate near heavy
root feeders.

~Empty

--
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