Exhausted base fert

[choycs]

It seems that lately my echinodorus are growing lot slower and smaller then they used to. Could this be due to exhausted base fert? Anyway is it recommended to change the base fert.

 

[VaughnH]

You can fertilize echinodorus with water column dosing as well as substrate fertilizing. What is the size of your tank and what lighting do you use? Do you use CO2 or add fertilizers?

 

[choycs]

The tank is a 4x2x2 ft using 4 x36w PL lights. with co2 system. Had previously grown echinodorus when i just started this tank. After several rescape over the years decided to go back to planting echinodorus again. Realised that the growth rate is not what it used to be.

 

[VaughnH]

That is low light intensity, so that might be the reason for the slow growth. I know, with around 2 watts per gallon (240 watts for your tank) echinidorus varieties grow pretty fast and big, even with not so good fertilizing.

 

[Tom Barr]

Some take awhile to get going, but after several years and if it's something like soil or ADA AS, you might be correct.

Personally, I do not want swords getting too big too fast in a small 240 liter tank!
Yikes.

Careful what you ask for.
Generally, Swords are highly responsive to CO2, so adding some nutrients and CO2 take care of things, even at relatively low light.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[choycs]

OK. So can i put it this way. Even if the base fert is exhausted i still could dose the water column to feed the swords? Without the need to replace the base fert.

 

[Joetee]

OK. So can i put it this way. Even if the base fert is exhausted i still could dose the water column to feed the swords? Without the need to replace the base fert.

I use 100% flourite and have never add ferts to the substrate in 2 years. Everything seem to be growing just fine.
Joetee