Tetra Medica "general Tonic" and salt - would it harm my plants and snails?

I have a 245 liters heavily planted tank. I do not know the names of most of the plants and is hoping to learn the names here over time.

The tank was planted about 6 weeks ago. I used a layer of composted garden soil covered with some kind of grit. I had to change the water every day because the rocks and soil gave of a lot of color. Two weeks later I added the test fish and everything was fine. A week later I bought some nice fancy goldfish - too much for the size of the tank but I am doing water changes every second to third day to help prevent problems. The ammonia and nitrites levels shows "ideal". I use salt at one teaspoon to every 5 liters of water and the temperature is kept at 26 degrees Celsius. The plants and the fish is doing well.

Now for my question:

If I want to use something like Tetra Medica "General Tonic" with salt, would it hurt my plants, snails and other organisms? The manufacturers say it may damage sensitive plants.

If so, what medications are safe to use for planted tanks?

Lennard

 

@lennard,why do you need to medicate your fish?
Did you boil the soil to sterilise it?
Your goldfish will enjoy the plants more than you.You've given them one huge salad bowl.
Decide if you want to keep goldfish or a tropical planted tank,unfortunately the don't go together.
Post some pics of the tank.

 

My planted tank and medication of the fish.



Above is a picture of my planted tank. This is my tank two weeks ago. I keep the Goldfish heavily fed to prevent them from eating my plants - they get many peas to curb their hunger for greens and they are mad about it. They leave the plants in peace.

When I introduced the fish I had an outbreak of ich/white spot and I used another brand general tonic I bought in Pretoria with salt to get it under control.

I can't get that brand here and I want to keep the medicine in storage for when I need it again.

I did not boil the soil. From previous experiences with tropical and goldfish planted tanks I had no problems. Before moving to my current home the tanks held their good condition for almost four years using compost and soil as a substrate. (I never cleaned them out in that four years!)

Thanks for the reply.

Lennard

 

@lennard,
It's a bit difficult to I.D. all the plants without some close-ups.What I can see are some amazon swords,anubias,hopefully not planted in the substrate,hygrophilia sp. and lilaeopsis sp.
General tonic should be okay with plants and salt used in moderation,extreme moderation,should be okay as well.

I don't want to sound to critical or judgemental,far from it,but if I wanted to concentrate on keeping plants successfully,I would never keep fish,tropical or coldwater,that are known vegetarians.It defeats the purpose.And by keeping them,the fish, well fed presents it's own problems.In a none planted tank it may be okay,but in a planted tank the extra waste created by the fish will quickly over load the nutrient levels in the tank.And goldfish are notoriously messy.
But to each his own,if you want to keep the goldfish,so be it.You are still welcome to ask for any help or assistance.

 

Goldfish in planted tank.

Thanks for the reply.

I am an easy going guy and don't take any critique or "judgment" as personal. :bigsmile:

The Anubias is planted in the gravel because I did not know any better. I am soaking a piece of deadwood and as soon as it is cured I will plant them on it.

For now the tank is over stocked because when I bought the fish I expected a lot of them to die because the pet shops here don't take good care of their fish.

I have removed some of the fish to my pond and will later move the "weaker" types when spring arrive. I am planning to keep only five fish in the tank.

The Goldfish will eat the softer leaf plants but as soon as the Vallisnera and the Breefonteinkruid has established itself at the back of the tank there will be enough greens for the Goldfish to nibble on if they want to.

I am really not worried about the Goldfish together with the plants - there will be a balance as soon as the plants have established themselves. Buying the plants a lot of them was not even rooted!!!

Thanks for the reply.

Lennard