I notice that lots of folks coming in here are kinda like me. They have some pretty good expeience with aquariums, but are new to planted (and especially high tech planted) tanks. Prior to juming into planted tanks, I'd mastered what it takes to raise and breed healthy fish. When you first start reading about the fertilization and chemistry involved, it's reallly kind of scary and counter to all the good habits of fish keeping. In the past, I'd always been proud of keeping pristine environments that perfectly matched what my species of fish evolved in. (at least as perfect as possible) Suddenly, I'm being told to add all these chemicals to my water and pump the tank full of CO2......that's kinda scary.
Fortunately, I have come to trust the advice and opinions of a few folks I've run across in the plant world (Tom and Greg being foremost). Once I realized I was not going to kill, injure or stress my fish with their recommended actions, it became much easier to perform the tasks they suggested and even to experiment a little on my own. I am now convinced that:
30 ppm of CO2 won't kill or stress my fish
Ph swings due to carbonic acid of up to .9 or 1 won't kill or stress my fish
Nitrates won't kill my fish
None of this stuff will kill my fish!
That is very nerve settling and opens the door for lots of plant fun versus stress.
So, if you are new to the hobby or a fish hobbyist crossing over to plants; for what its worth....it'll all be okay. Oh and they're not CHEMICALS anymore, they are NUTRIENTS!
Fortunately, I have come to trust the advice and opinions of a few folks I've run across in the plant world (Tom and Greg being foremost). Once I realized I was not going to kill, injure or stress my fish with their recommended actions, it became much easier to perform the tasks they suggested and even to experiment a little on my own. I am now convinced that:
30 ppm of CO2 won't kill or stress my fish
Ph swings due to carbonic acid of up to .9 or 1 won't kill or stress my fish
Nitrates won't kill my fish
None of this stuff will kill my fish!
That is very nerve settling and opens the door for lots of plant fun versus stress.
So, if you are new to the hobby or a fish hobbyist crossing over to plants; for what its worth....it'll all be okay. Oh and they're not CHEMICALS anymore, they are NUTRIENTS!