Best time to add fertilizers

[legend]

I've been using liquid fertilizers for my planted tank, but I'm not sure when the best time to add them is. Should I dose in the morning or evening? My tank is a 20-gallon with Amazon Swords, Anubias, and some Java Fern. I've got a Fluval LED light running 8 hours a day and do weekly water changes. Substrate is gravel with root tabs.

[brooklynx]

Dosing in the morning is usually better since plants start photosynthesizing as soon as the lights come on. I've got a similar setup, 20-gallon with CO2 injection, and I dose right before the lights kick on. What's your nitrate level like? If it's low, you might wanna bump up the ferts a bit. I use Thrive+ and it's been solid for my stem plants.

[daisybell]

I've always added mine in the evening because I read somewhere that plants absorb nutrients better at night. But my tank's only 10 gallons with low light, so maybe it's different. I use Seachem Flourish and my Anubias seem happy, but the Swords are kinda slow.

[legend]

Dosing in the morning is usually better since plants start photosynthesizing as soon as the lights come on. I've got a similar setup, 20-gallon with CO2 injection, and I dose right before the lights kick on. What's your nitrate level like? If it's low, you might wanna bump up the ferts a bit. I use Thrive+ and it's been solid for my stem plants.

Thanks for the tip. My nitrates are around 10 ppm, so I'll try dosing in the morning and see how it goes. I don't have CO2 yet, but I've been thinking about adding it.

[brooklynx]

10 ppm nitrates is decent, but you could push it to 20 ppm if you're not seeing growth. CO2 makes a huge difference, especially for stem plants. I started with a DIY setup before upgrading to a proper regulator. Just watch for algae if you crank up the light and ferts without CO2.

[daisybell]

I've heard mixed things about CO2. Some say it's overkill for low-tech tanks, but others swear by it. My tank's been running for a year with just ferts and the plants are alive, but not thriving. Maybe I should try morning dosing too.

[brooklynx]

I've heard mixed things about CO2. Some say it's overkill for low-tech tanks, but others swear by it. My tank's been running for a year with just ferts and the plants are alive, but not thriving. Maybe I should try morning dosing too.

CO2 isn't necessary for low-tech, but it's a game-changer if you wanna see faster growth. For your setup, I'd focus on consistent ferts and lighting first. What's your photoperiod? Too much light without CO2 can cause algae.

[legend]

I'll stick with morning dosing for now and monitor the growth. Appreciate the advice, everyone. Gonna hold off on CO2 until I'm more confident with the basics. My tank's only been planted for a few months, so I'm still learning.