Plants & fertilizers

[filipe]

Hi,

Some of my newt's tanks have an assortment of plants and I was just wondering if it's ok to use the same fertilizers and substrates I use in my fish tanks.
I am aware that these animals are highly sensible to water chemistry but these plant products are largely used in fish aquaria without harm. What's your thoughts on this?

Filipe

 

[josh]

ive done quite well with well planted aquaria using a layer of peat then med coarse sand over that. you can use dead leaves as well.the plants will severely root and grow like crazy. it will turn the water a tea color from the tannins, but with a few water changes, it reduces greatly. i know tannins in the water are really good for some fish (even triggering them to breed) but how is it with newts and sals, i couldnt tell u. does anybody know????

 

[mark]

you can put peat in the water???

 

[garrison]

Yes, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Generally I've known of peat being used to reduce the pH of aquarium water for fish that live naturally in acidic water or migrate to it to breed. I know a couple of discus breeders and people who keep fish that originate from the black waters of the Rio Xingu who's fish thrive on it.

I'm not entirely sure how well caudates would take it however unless they are known to originate in acidic environments. With enough water changes though, just like tannins, the effects will dissipate.

(Message edited by gar4016 on December 16, 2004)

 

[filipe]

Hi,

Thanks for your ideas but I was also wondering if those liquid fertilizers you use in fish tanks (like Tetra PlantaMin) are safe with newts.