Question: Aqueon plant food?

[emmyk]

So I was at the pet shop today and my plants in my walstad tank arent looking so hot due to the lack of light (I've had my blinds closed ) but I was wondering if they weren't getting enough nutrients, possibly.... so I was checking out api products and considering I had picked up a 32 dollar hide, I went for aqueon rather than api. They must be essentially the same, right? And they must be axolotl safe? (I checked for metals and asked the pet store person, but I know they are probably the least knowledgeable anyways) I put about half a dose in, but I figured would ask before adding the whole thing.

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[PatchworkClocks]

I looked it up, and it doesn't seem like it has anything in it that would harm an axolotl. However, I strongly recommend you don't use any chemicals other than dechlorinator in your water, as axolotls are very sensitive to them and they may cause chemical burns and other nasty things.

If you must use any chemicals when caring for your plants, try to move them to a different tank until they perk up to your liking, and then transplant them back after a quarantine period, just to make sure none of the chemicals tag along with them.

 

[auntiejude]

I wouldn't use it any chemical in an axie tank. You have to remeber that axies absorb a lot of stuff through their skin.

You're supposed to use an iron-based fertiliser if you absolutely have to - but I agree with Patch and say you shoul to move your plants to feed them, or get some plants that thrive in low light.

 

[emmyk]

Okay, I'll do a small water change to water it down. And I have a walstad tank so I can't remove the plants

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[SariYappa]

I remember reading something about adding oxygen to help out the plants... Dd you try that? (Just enough not to stress out your axolotl )

 

[hairypumpkin]

Someone on here said that the Seachem Flourish fertilizer was axie safe. They got this information from their own vet.

That post is somewhere on here floating around. I can't remember when I saw it, but it was a few months ago.

 

[PatchworkClocks]

Well, if you can't remove the plants...

I've got an idea. Perhaps you could take your axolotl(s) out of the tank, and treat the plants with your plant food for a few days. Then, do gradual water changes until you think most of the chemicals will be gone, and place your animal(s) back into the tank.

It's a decent solution, but I'm not sure how that would effect your axolotls.

 

[xxianxx]

So I was at the pet shop today and my plants in my walstad tank arent looking so hot due to the lack of light (I've had my blinds closed ) but I was wondering if they weren't getting enough nutrients, possibly.... so I was checking out api products and considering I had picked up a 32 dollar hide, I went for aqueon rather than api. They must be essentially the same, right? And they must be axolotl safe? (I checked for metals and asked the pet store person, but I know they are probably the least knowledgeable anyways) I put about half a dose in, but I figured would ask before adding the whole thing.

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Try giving the plants more light. There should be no need to give the plants any additional food, axolotls make enough mess to keep them stocked up with all the nitrates the plants need. You need to prioritize the axolotls vs the plants needs, not all plants will do well in your axolotl tank, rather than try to help the plants just let them fight it out. Those most suited to your tank will thrive and those who dont like it will die off.

Well, if you can't remove the plants...

I've got an idea. Perhaps you could take your axolotl(s) out of the tank, and treat the plants with your plant food for a few days. Then, do gradual water changes until you think most of the chemicals will be gone, and place your animal(s) back into the tank.

It's a decent solution, but I'm not sure how that would effect your axolotls.

It's a labour intensive solution to a non existent problem . It would also require additional accommodation for an axolotl who will not benefit from the disturbance and impact on its life.

 

[PatchworkClocks]

I did say it was only an idea, did I not? I realize what the idea would entail. Now if you would please stop being so condescending of everything I say, I would appreciate it. I'm not as moronic as you seem to enjoy thinking I am.

 

[xxianxx]

I did say it was only an idea, did I not? I realize what the idea would entail. Now if you would please stop being so condescending of everything I say, I would appreciate it. I'm not as moronic as you seem to enjoy thinking I am.

You said it was a "decent solution", I happen to disagree, this is a forum, people respond to each others comments. You appear overly sensitive I suggest you work on that......

 

[layna]

So anyway, back to the origional post, i have done a little googling and basically everything i have looked up says Defo DO NOT use plant fertalizers with axies as they absorb things through their skin and in the long run it will make them ill.

I would go with not using it, and just getting plants that do well in low lighting, i posted a list a couple of days ago
And for a walstad(spelling?) tank, then moss will look great anyway and does well in low lighting

 

[oceanblue]

Aqueon fertiliser is fairly well designed not to poison most aquatic creatures and I would not expect it to harm the axolotl. The phosphate content may change the pH a bit. If the plants look pale and sick when adequatly lit consider using it.

I agree with xxianxx that light alone may solve your problems and neither plants nor Walstad base will take kindly to being repeatedly dug up: Part of the mechanism of the Walstad method is denitrifification by anareobic pockets in the base, digging it may release poisonous gasses so leave well alone.

The main plant nutient short here is light!