Flourish Comprehensive and invertebrates ...

petpamperer · #1 10-04-2011, 11:58

Hi, folks! I'm new to this forum, and I have a 20-gallon-high freshwater, coldwater tank with red cherry shrimp, several snails, whitecloud minnows, zebra danios and some glofish danios. I also have anubias nanas, java ferns, marimo mossballs and some floating hornwort, anacharis, java moss, water sprite and riccia. The anubias are attached to plastic plant bases that fake plants used to be anchored to, and the java ferns are tied to various objects with fishing line. None of the rhizomes are buried in the gravel, because in my research I learned you aren't supposed to bury the rhizomes.

My question is this: Does the Flourish comprehensive formulation contain any copper that would harm invertebrates or fish? If I use it, I plan on using a very low dose, as Anubias and java ferns don't normally need to be fed. I have some that look like they could benefit from a little extra besides the nitrates they naturally absorb in the tank.

I have low-to-medium light (depending on where the floating plants drift to), and no CO2. Don't intend to use the latter.

My water's pH is 7.5, and parameters are zero ammonia, zero nitrite and nitrates around 10 to 15 ppm.

According to my copper test kit, the tank currently has no copper in it.

--- petpamperer

Tech Support EH · #2 10-04-2011, 13:51

Thank you for your question and for joining our forum! Flourish contains a very trace amount of copper (0.0001%). Because this product and all of our products were designed specifically for use in aquariums containing fish, plants, and/or invertebrates, it is perfectly safe to use with these tank inhabitants when used as directed. We hope this answers your questions and that you have a nice day!

petpamperer · #3 10-11-2011, 13:39

Thanks for the assurance about Flourish comprehensive not harming shrimp. What about snails? I have at least two different species of snail in my 20-gallon-high, and some are very small. Is Flourish comprehensive also safe for them?

Secondly, among the many plant nutrients it contains, does it also include iron, calcium and potassium?

Thanks again ...

-- petpamperer

Tech Support EH · #4 10-11-2011, 14:07

You are very welcome, petpamperer! Yes, Flourish is also completely safe for your snails, and it also contains small amounts of iron, calcium, and potassium. I think this chart, which details the components of Flourish, their roles within plant cells, and deficiency symptoms may be helpful to you:

http://www.seachem.com/support/FlourishConstituents_Deficency.pdf

Have a great day!