Tank with Light and C02 but no Ferts? - Aquascaping

harshal1992 · 09-26-2009, 01:46 PM

Hey guys, do you think that a tank without ferts would do well with C02 and lights? I have around 30 RCS and more babies coming and around 3 guppy fry and 4-5 adult guppies in a 5 Gallon Long.

Newt · 09-26-2009, 03:06 PM

without ferts your plants will die especially if you are feeding them CO2 with high light

Tex Gal · 09-27-2009, 07:33 AM

If your light is low, plants are slow growing, and you have nutritious substrate like ADA AquaSoil you might be able to get away with it for a while. You could also add some complete plant tabs.

Seattle_Aquarist · 09-27-2009, 07:43 AM

Hi harshal1992,

It would be helpful to know how much light, and what size tank you have in order to give you a more informed response. Based on what you have provided so far I suspect the plants would show deficiencies and algae could be a problem.

harshal1992 · 09-27-2009, 09:11 AM

Thanks for all the responses,

First of all, I have a 13W spiral lamp on top of a 5G tank with some rotala rotundifolia, and some other plants thats are all medium-slow growers. I'm probably going to get some ferts soon because my heaters for my 30G died (It won't turn itself off by itself so when i first noticed it.. my tank was a whopping 100 degrees Fahrenheit

) So anyways.. I'll prob get some ferts soon when i go out to get another heater.

Seattle_Aquarist · 09-27-2009, 03:48 PM

Hi harshal1992,

If it were me, I would probably just use some Seachem Flourish Comprehensive on a smaller tank like a 5 gallon.

Ultimbow · 09-27-2009, 05:42 PM

I have been working without ferts for a long time and it work as well as with ferts that i am using now. Just do more water change they are always mineral in water. I have 330w of light on a 77gal tank in both case. I use ferts now cause some plants consider real hard to keep need them but i use really small amount. So if you go in medium difficulty plant i think you should be ok. That is my experience but might be different in your area with the water you have.

bratyboy2 · 09-29-2009, 12:48 AM

i will say i have the 20 long and 56 watts over it and im only dosing excel and have a soil base and im getting BBA and its hell to get rid of. im not getting plant growth at all. im going to add some type of fert and do a weekly water change just to keep it under control i would do the same for you