Do you dose more fertilizer as plants grow?

[BettasAreSuperior]

Hi all, I saw on one of aquarium co-op's blog posts by Irene, it said "Following the recommended fertilizer dosing instructions, but then four months later when the plants have grown to triple their original size, you’re still dosing the same amount. Just as you automatically feed more food if you add more fish to an aquarium or if they grow bigger over time, you need to feed your plants more as they get taller or propagate."

Is this true? Do you have to constantly up your fertilizer dosage? Am I doing it wrong? I have been dosing the same amount the whole time.

Edited January 2, 2022 by BettasAreSuperior

[Colu]

 you should aim to have nitrates at 20ppm if your dosing liquid fertilizer

[lefty o]

its just like when a person or animal gets bigger, they need more food.

[FrozenFins]

Aquarium Co-op has an awesome video of plants and fertilizers:

 

[AcornTheBetta]

On 1/22/2021 at 9:03 AM, BettasAreSuperior said:

Hey guys! So, I saw on one of aquarium co-op's blog posts by @Irene It said "Following the recommended fertilizer dosing instructions, but then four months later when the plants have grown to triple their original size, you’re still dosing the same amount. Just as you automatically feed more food if you add more fish to an aquarium or if they grow bigger over time, you need to feed your plants more as they get taller or propagate."

 

Is this true? Do you have to constanly up your fertilizer dosage? Am I doing it wrong? I have been dosing the same amount the whole time......

I don't think I am the best person to comment on this since I don't use ferts (I have dirted tanks), but I would aim for 20 ppm nitrates, but honestly, I find that most plants (ex: S. Repens, Pearlweed, Crypt Parva) grow fine in my tanks with out ferts.

[BettasAreSuperior]

On 2/6/2021 at 7:34 PM, AcornTheBetta said:

I don't think I am the best person to comment on this since I don't use ferts (I have dirted tanks), but I would aim for 20 ppm nitrates, but honestly, I find that most plants (ex: S. Repens, Pearlweed, Crypt Parva) grow fine in my tanks with out ferts.

I agree, dosing to 20 ppm nitrates should be enough. Well, I'm dosing fertilizer and my plants aren't getting enough iron and potassium still......lol (I got it figured out)