Fertilizers

[onyx2011]

So, I know fertilizers are a no no for axolotls and other amphibians. However, my tank is empty of caudates and is now a plant and shrimp tank, and once it is thriving, I plan to add an axolotl back into it by Spring. I was wondering if I could use fertilizers while it is lacking a lotl, and then just gradually stop using fertilizers a month before I introduce an axolotl to it? Or would the tank be thoroughly contaminated and have to be intensely cleaned before it would be safe again? I don't plan to continue fertilizer use once the tank is inhabited again, just want to give the plants a strong start before they get terrorized by the digging, lol!

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[Blackbun]

Hello onyx, you need to head to the tropical fish aquarists forums they've this subject sorted. I have a 2m tank heavily planted with amazon swords which are greedy to say the least. I use a substrate fertiliser for these which is basically a clay ball impregnated with iron and a few other micro nutrients. They are pressed into the substrate next to the plant. I keep some (under statement) very temperamental Amazonian tetras in there and have never had any issues with water quality and the fish are in outstanding condition. Cardinals regularly breed in there but of course there's much more to it than use of fertilisers. For me, I keep away from copper. There are liquid fertilisers too which I also use along with the so called black water extracts.
Have a look: Fertilising aquarium plants