PFP-What value does it have on its own

Hi Prof,
I've been wondering....
After reading that the PFP is "injected" with chemcult, and then using this as a substrate, you also mention that we should do so on our own risk....
My question basicly is: what is the purpose of the PFP? Does it help with forming new roots, are there any nutrients that will be absorbed by the plants on its own?
Can I inject my PFP(plain,not soaked in chemcult) base with a syringe with fertz at the base of my cryps & swords?
Thanks for sharing
Regards,
ek(Cornél)

 

Hi Cornél,

PFP is ground up coconut fibre, which makes up the shell of coconuts. Chemically it consists of cellulose and lignin, basically the same stuff that wood and bark is made up of. When you buy a compost for your garden, some of it very often consists of bark and the rest are components that can break down to supply fertilizers to your plants. Why horticulturists add bark to any potting soil for example, is because it allows the soil to keep aerated, and it does not compact completely thereby excluding oxygen which is very important for the roots. However, potting soil is fine for land plants, but is definitely not fine for an aquarium, because it does often contain components such a chicken manure which contains bacteria that are negative for fishes, and also if the soil continues to decompose in the aquarium this also uses oxygen which is bad for the roots and secondly you have no control over the release of other substances into the aquarium.

Now PFP is also used in horticulture because it has excellent properties of stability, it does not break down and rot, and secondly it allows oxygen into the medium as there are large gapes between the particles. This also applies in the aquarium where you therefore do not have breakdown of the medium, although it is organic, and it allows water to move through it and thereby allows oxygen into the medium so that the roots get enough oxygen for good growth.

Many aquatic plants first of all want an organic medium and not just gravel, and many plants prefer to absorb nutrients via their roots. PFP also possesses cation exchange properties, which means it can holds on the nutrients until the plants use them.

So, why I decided on using PFP as a substrate was because it allows oxygen into the medium, it does not break down with negative consequences for the fishes and the plants (because if it broke down then the medium would compact and not allow oxygen in), there are no components other than the fibre in PFP so you know exactly what you are dealing with (also all PFP is identical, so whether you buy it in Gauteng or Cape Town it is always the same which you cannot say for composts), and finally because you can add fertilizer to it and the PFP holds onto some of the fertilizer components until the plants need them.

Bottom line is it is the best organic medium that you can use in an aquarium and many plants grow fantastically on it.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Hi Prof,
Thank you, appreciate it.
Regards,
Cornél