i am planting out a 110 gallon soft water aquarium that has been established for 8 years or so and the substarte is exhausted. i have co2 injection and feed liquid ferts. But i would like to boost the substrate and was wondering if the king ofpsikes found in garden centers for potted plants would do the job?
2007-02-19 18:19:50 · 9 answers · asked by ukparanormal2002 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
They will kill your fish and fast. They are made of ammonium nitrate and phosphorus.
2007-02-19 18:30:26 · answer #1 · answered by opinionator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Garden fertilizers contain nitrates & phosphates which will make your plants grow - and algae along with it! These are also concentrated, since the rely on soil mositure to dissolve. They would be too strong and release too much fertilizer at once in an aquarium.
Aquarium fertilizers are very dilute and contain trace elements like iron, which is deficient in most aquatic environments. These may not be found at all in terrestrial fertilizer, because some iron would be present in soil. Nitrates and phosphates are already present in your tank some amount from your fish wastes and fish food.
Your best bet would be to get a fertilizer made specifically for an aquarium.
2007-02-19 18:34:08 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, just go get aquarium fertilizer, a big bottle is under $20. pick up the appropriate test kit while you're there. If you're already using it you don't need to "boost" the substrate, its already boosted. If you're worried about it, gently change portions of your substrate. Terrestrial plants and aquatic plants draw nutrients slightly differently. A terrestrial fertilizer is not going to sink into your substrate its going to leech into the water and poison your tank. You have a CO2 filter, an established tank, proper fertilizer... are your lights proper for plants and less then 9 months old?
2007-02-19 18:46:48 · answer #3 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't do it. These fertilizer spike are very high in Phosphorous and Nitrogen. They would seriously destabilize your water chemistry plus you'll get a serious algae problem.
I use fertilizer spike for my outdoor fish pond, but I don't know how they would work for an aquarium. I also add Barley to the pond to help control algae, so maybe you can try this as well.
Good luck
2007-02-19 18:37:14 · answer #4 · answered by vincepram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, look for the Jobe's spikes specifically for ferns. I have used them for many years with no problems just don't over do it and make sure you get them deep in the substrate. You can also go find pond plant fertilizer tablets and break them into smaller pieces and use those.
2007-02-20 11:54:58 · answer #5 · answered by james 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn`t risk it you can buy little fertiliser bags for the aquarium from greenline plants www.aquaticplants.eu.com i have bought them a few times they look like big tea bags and they last for 3 months their plants are also very good
2007-02-20 07:28:52 · answer #6 · answered by Black Orchid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definately not.
buy root tabs specifically made for aquariums. i use these as well as liquid ferts. or upgrade your substrate to flourite or laterite as well?
2007-02-19 23:05:36 · answer #7 · answered by catx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No i think of that must be homicide. i do no longer think of it might produce feeble spindly flora, till they have been all alcoholics, drug addicts and ingesting a super sort of toxins by ability of alternative sources. only enable them to feeble alongside - something to maintain them satisfied - meanwhile some severe gardening would be executed.
2016-11-24 19:38:43 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure if you want all yuor fish to die , sorry.
2007-02-22 05:08:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋