Mixing dry fertilizer or supplement with liquid

[sairving]

I have been noticing my all-in-one fertilizer seems to sometimes leave my plants with nutrient deficiencies sometimes.  Mainly potassium and sometimes nitrogen. I suspect that my hard water has something to do with my plants not getting enough potassium.  I never have high nitrates.

The easy way to solve my problem would be to buy nitrogen and potassium already mixed, follow directions on the bottle, and call it good.  But then I started thinking, would it be better to buy the dry versions and mix my own solution?  I feel no need to go full EI dosing on my low tech tank, but it seems like mixing my own fertilizer would let me tweak things easier.  Thoughts?

  

[Scapexghost]

I would first try to simply dose more fertilizer. Nitrogen and potassium are the main ingredients in an all-in-one fertilizer. If that doesn't help i would consider switching fertilizers. If that doesnt help then i would use additional nutrient specific liquid fertilizers.

[Mmiller2001]

It's super easy to mix dry fertilizers and I would highly recommend that route. 

[BuzzDaddy21]

On 12/28/2021 at 1:30 PM, Mmiller2001 said:

It's super easy to mix dry fertilizers

Are you talking about the stuff used on lawns??

[Mmiller2001]

On 12/28/2021 at 11:39 AM, BuzzDaddy21 said:

Are you talking about the stuff used on lawns??

No, individual salts sold special for aquariums. But you could toss them on lawn. My wife collects my water change water to fertilize her garden in the Summers.

[BuzzDaddy21]

On 12/28/2021 at 1:41 PM, Mmiller2001 said:

No, individual salts sold special for aquariums

I learned something today.🙂

[TheDukeAnumber1]

Searching for dry ferts sold for hydroponic use can work too.

[sairving]

On 12/28/2021 at 12:30 PM, Mmiller2001 said:

It's super easy to mix dry fertilizers and I would highly recommend that route. 

I'm starting to think mixing up my own fertilizer might be a good route to go. it will let me tweak things to better fit my tank and water.

When I had my first planted tank, I had about 5 different bottles of fertilizer. After a massive algae outbreak, I went to an all-in-one to help get the algae under control.  Since I set my current 10-gallon up, even dosing extra fertilizer, the anubias has been showing signs nutrient deficiency. I can get dry ferts from the same company as my all-in-one. Now I just need to go find an online calculator and do some math.     

[Mmiller2001]

https://rotalabutterfly.com/nutrient-calculator.php

On 12/28/2021 at 12:29 PM, sairving said:

I'm starting to think mixing up my own fertilizer might be a good route to go. it will let me tweak things to better fit my tank and water.

When I had my first planted tank, I had about 5 different bottles of fertilizer. After a massive algae outbreak, I went to an all-in-one to help get the algae under control.  Since I set my current 10-gallon up, even dosing extra fertilizer, the anubias has been showing signs nutrient deficiency. I can get dry ferts from the same company as my all-in-one. Now I just need to go find an online calculator and do some math.     

 

[Mmiller2001]

This is what I would get. Or just get the NPK alone and then get Micro Mix EDTA+DTPA

If you want to set or raise GH, add the CaSO4

https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/pps-pro-aquarium-fertilizer-package-jars-edta-dtpa-version.html

https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/calcium-sulfate-caso4-aquarium-fertilizer-1lb-jar.html

 

This would last you years. I'm full EI dosing and haven't dented my NPK+Micros, but on my 2nd bags of Mg and Ca.

I run 4 tanks and 2 of those are high energy.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Mmiller2001

[sairving]

On 12/28/2021 at 1:46 PM, Mmiller2001 said:

This is what I would get. Or just get the NPK alone and then get Micro Mix EDTA+DTPA

If you want to set or raise GH, add the CaSO4

https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/pps-pro-aquarium-fertilizer-package-jars-edta-dtpa-version.html

https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/calcium-sulfate-caso4-aquarium-fertilizer-1lb-jar.html

 

This would last you years. I'm full EI dosing and haven't dented my NPK+Micros, but on my 2nd bags of Mg and Ca.

I run 4 tanks and 2 of those are high energy.

Raising GH isn't necessary and with my hard water I don't think magnesium is necessary. I think I'll get NPK and Micros.  

Last time we tested the water with a well water testing kit, the gh was between 400-450 ppm. I cant remember what the kh is but its high as well. 

[sairving]

I thought I'd post a little update.  Out of curiosity, I contacted NilocG, described my plant deficiency issue. I asked about either switching to regular Thrive or dry ferts.  They advised me to up my dose to 5ml a week of ThriveC. My gut feeling is that seems like an algae outbreak in the making.  I just got the last one under control.  I don't have much ThriveC left.  I'll make the switch to mixing my own ferts in the next few weeks.