My brother, I had the same problem as you and I took almost the EXACT same steps as you minus the auto doser. What I discovered, as you did, that we need a lot more nutrients then seachem provides in their bottle. However, I noticed the majority of the issue is 1 nutrient after co2 and that is phosphorus. I bet if you dosed with phosphate only, you would have the exact same results. Phosphate salts usually come with potassium as well and I believe it's like 8 bucks from GLA. Anyways, that would be a good experiment if you ever ran into the same issue again.
Thanks for sharing that your experience matches mine. It helps bolster the theory for all of us. Phosphorous appears to have been the nutrient my tank was lacking most as well. When really assessing the ingredients on the bottle, I discovered that Seachem Phosphorous is even more diluted than their other ferts. It’s basically bottled water. I am actually considering adding more phosphorous to the tank in addition to dosing the APT as my easy baseline. Thanks for the recommendation to consider GLA. I might make an update video if I try this.
I'm about 4 months into my first aquascape... So far, so good, as it should be. I've recently started using the Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green, but only at half the recommended dose for now because my plants are still smallish and filling out the space. As the tank grows in, I plan to slowly increase the dosage. You mention Leaf Zone as an All-in-one fertilizer, but I'd like to clarify that it is not. Leaf Zone is 3% soluble potash (potassium) and 0.1% iron. My understanding is that the main purpose of Leaf Zone is for heavily planted community tanks. The fish waste provides nitrogen and phosphorus, and the Leaf Zone provides the final piece of the puzzle so the plants can consume all three.
Thanks for clarifying about Leaf Zone! I see I was incorrect about that. I’ve seen it being used like an all-in-one, but you’re totally right: they only list potassium and iron. It seems this would only work well for a tank that is pretty heavily stocked. Glad to hear that you seem to be enjoying the Easy Green!
Pretty much went through the same route, Dennis' work on the APT line is amazing! As he said himself, the goal is repetitive results in as much tanks as possible, which I think he's achieved!
I also agree! The APT Jazz root capsules are amazing too. I use these in clients tanks without any soil, just gravel and plant growth explodes. Another big fan of Dennis and his team and work! Great content in this video. No BS, and very comprehensive info! 👍🏻
I dont run a CO2 tank but my plants do great! I have to trim them/ pull out runners every 2 weeks or they take over the whole tank lol. All I’ve been using is home-made osmocote root tabs and Thrive brand liquid fertilizer. The only time i’ve had to battle algae is when I didnt cap my aquasoil with 2 inches of sand. I’m assuming the excess nutrients were leaching into the water column. I definitely recommend looking into thrive and checking out the nutrient profile. It seems like a really great deal for the price.
@@tannerbroadwell5488 That’s awesome that you’re having such great success with a minimal setup! I actually have one plant that completely died in my tank with added CO2 but is thriving in a different tank of mine with no added CO2. Adding carbon dioxide is pretty much vital in the tank I made the video about, but definitely isn’t needed for certain plants and setups. Also, I haven’t heard of Thrive. I’ll look them up!
superb content, really liked the previous one as well "doing it all together at a same time". Can you make a video on N-P-K(20-20-20 % ) water soluble Fertiliser in a video.
From what I understand plants need 3 things: nutrients, light, and CO2. These need to be balanced for optimal balance and growth. The one aspect people usually do wrong is too much light (too bright/strong). In this case, you will need to ramp up nutrients and CO2. Off course every type of plant is different and has different needs.
Thanks for weighing in! Those three factors are important according to my research and experience also. I’ve got my light set to just 25% and the plants still absolutely chow down on nutrients. If that light was set to 100, I’d be doing my water changes with pure undiluted fertilizer, haha!
My guy, buy your own macros in powder form and mix your own. It will cost you pennies on the dollar. EDIT* lol, sorry just made it to the part where you discuss this.
I love a good low-maintenance tank. Costs are a lot lower now than they were with the old fertilizer. The doser was around $100 I think, but that’s not really needed when dosing only about 1mL per day. If I had switched ferts earlier, I probably wouldn’t have bought the dosing pump.
My brother, I had the same problem as you and I took almost the EXACT same steps as you minus the auto doser. What I discovered, as you did, that we need a lot more nutrients then seachem provides in their bottle. However, I noticed the majority of the issue is 1 nutrient after co2 and that is phosphorus. I bet if you dosed with phosphate only, you would have the exact same results. Phosphate salts usually come with potassium as well and I believe it's like 8 bucks from GLA. Anyways, that would be a good experiment if you ever ran into the same issue again.
Thanks for sharing that your experience matches mine. It helps bolster the theory for all of us. Phosphorous appears to have been the nutrient my tank was lacking most as well. When really assessing the ingredients on the bottle, I discovered that Seachem Phosphorous is even more diluted than their other ferts. It’s basically bottled water. I am actually considering adding more phosphorous to the tank in addition to dosing the APT as my easy baseline. Thanks for the recommendation to consider GLA. I might make an update video if I try this.
I'm about 4 months into my first aquascape... So far, so good, as it should be. I've recently started using the Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green, but only at half the recommended dose for now because my plants are still smallish and filling out the space. As the tank grows in, I plan to slowly increase the dosage.
You mention Leaf Zone as an All-in-one fertilizer, but I'd like to clarify that it is not. Leaf Zone is 3% soluble potash (potassium) and 0.1% iron. My understanding is that the main purpose of Leaf Zone is for heavily planted community tanks. The fish waste provides nitrogen and phosphorus, and the Leaf Zone provides the final piece of the puzzle so the plants can consume all three.
Thanks for clarifying about Leaf Zone! I see I was incorrect about that. I’ve seen it being used like an all-in-one, but you’re totally right: they only list potassium and iron. It seems this would only work well for a tank that is pretty heavily stocked. Glad to hear that you seem to be enjoying the Easy Green!
Pretty much went through the same route, Dennis' work on the APT line is amazing! As he said himself, the goal is repetitive results in as much tanks as possible, which I think he's achieved!
From my experience so far, he’s achieved that goal! I’m really grateful for the people like him who figure these things out for the rest of us.
I also agree! The APT Jazz root capsules are amazing too. I use these in clients tanks without any soil, just gravel and plant growth explodes. Another big fan of Dennis and his team and work!
Great content in this video. No BS, and very comprehensive info! 👍🏻
Awesome video, im a year into the hobbu but still dont know a lot about fertz so this actually helped quiet a bit!
Thank you! I’m glad to hear this was helpful to you.
I dont run a CO2 tank but my plants do great! I have to trim them/ pull out runners every 2 weeks or they take over the whole tank lol. All I’ve been using is home-made osmocote root tabs and Thrive brand liquid fertilizer. The only time i’ve had to battle algae is when I didnt cap my aquasoil with 2 inches of sand. I’m assuming the excess nutrients were leaching into the water column. I definitely recommend looking into thrive and checking out the nutrient profile. It seems like a really great deal for the price.
@@tannerbroadwell5488 That’s awesome that you’re having such great success with a minimal setup! I actually have one plant that completely died in my tank with added CO2 but is thriving in a different tank of mine with no added CO2. Adding carbon dioxide is pretty much vital in the tank I made the video about, but definitely isn’t needed for certain plants and setups. Also, I haven’t heard of Thrive. I’ll look them up!
superb content, really liked the previous one as well "doing it all together at a same time". Can you make a video on N-P-K(20-20-20 % ) water soluble Fertiliser in a video.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed the videos. By “water soluble fertilizer” are you referring to the method of mixing dry salts at home?
From what I understand plants need 3 things: nutrients, light, and CO2. These need to be balanced for optimal balance and growth. The one aspect people usually do wrong is too much light (too bright/strong). In this case, you will need to ramp up nutrients and CO2. Off course every type of plant is different and has different needs.
Thanks for weighing in! Those three factors are important according to my research and experience also. I’ve got my light set to just 25% and the plants still absolutely chow down on nutrients. If that light was set to 100, I’d be doing my water changes with pure undiluted fertilizer, haha!
There are wonderful successes without supplemental co2.
@@toddbigeasy I totally agree. I’ve seen plenty of awesome tanks that don’t use added CO2.
@@toddbigeasy sure, animals in the tank produce CO2, after all. Your light intensity just needs to be adequate.
My guy, buy your own macros in powder form and mix your own. It will cost you pennies on the dollar. EDIT* lol, sorry just made it to the part where you discuss this.
Haha, good call. I knew that if I didn’t mention dry salts, I’d get ROASTED in the comments. I’m sure it’s a perfect solution for many tanks.
Leaf zone is not an all in one fertilizer. It is potassium and iron.
You’re totally right. I messed that up. I’ve seen it used kind of like an all-in-one, but it’s not a true all-in-one.
wow, I imagine that costs too much $$.. Normally I'd only supervise the lighting time+siesta for my tank.
I love a good low-maintenance tank. Costs are a lot lower now than they were with the old fertilizer. The doser was around $100 I think, but that’s not really needed when dosing only about 1mL per day. If I had switched ferts earlier, I probably wouldn’t have bought the dosing pump.
Can I get a link for the auto fertilizer you use?
Sure! Here you go: www.chihirosaquaticstudio.com/products/chihiros-dosing-pump-system?srsltid=AfmBOoqdmUvkjA5X1ZUH9ZI-_agKv1QktzfaLRNIBkizqCyvEo5iswxm
@@undr_life You're the best. Thanks!
@ Happy to help! It’s a great product in my opinion.
Seems like alot for some tiny fish and some plants, seems like an expensive way of fighting against nature
No fertilisen Tanto!!! Tu acuario necesita peces, mas peces!! Y PLANTAS DE CRESIMIENTO RAPIDO COMO CABOMBA ACUATICA!
it's great to see a TH-camr fail for once... great results now!
Haha, thanks. Tryin to keep it real.