I want a planted tank, help me plan it!

[fish wrangler]

Starting to look into a planted tank for my 29 gal. I am sure if you don't think of a question I probably will! I am tired of the plastic plants, and am looking for something new when I restock the tank.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

I plan on having lots of little fish (different tetras, mollies, shrimp, and otocinclus) and really basic plants that are not too difficult to keep.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

This thread is going to be answering lots of newb questions. Lol

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

I have a HOB filter and am adding a Marineland Penguin 350B will the current from those 2 filters affect my plants?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Autumnsky]

I have a HOB filter and am adding a Marineland Penguin 350B will the current from those 2 filters affect my plants?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

I wouldn't really think so. You can always ad a piece of bulk filter into the outflow of the HOB to spread and slow the turbulence.

 

[fish wrangler]

Ok. I can turn the flow down too. Wednesday I have off of school so I might go and look at the marineland and see if petsmart has all the fish I want.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

So maybe I am going right now...had to run to a store across the street so ill stop in afterwards.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

My petsmart has all the fish on my stocking list so thats nice. They had 5 ghost shrimp though so hopefully they can get some more before I set up the tank.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

This is what I want to have. Need to check the aggression on the dwarf gourami and if I can have more otocinclus, didn't realize how small they are!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

There is my tank now. I just added the airstones amd changed the fake greenery around thats why its so cloudy. The only natural thing in here is the fish amd some of the big rocks. I want to replace all the fake plants with real ones, and the rock work will decrease then.

 

[fish wrangler]

Question time! I have my gravel substrate right now. I remember seeing something about special plant substrate. Could I remove all the gravel, add 1 bag of this plant stuff, amd then put the gravel back on top of it? Second question-Would an Aqueon T8 25W bulb work for plants? Link for light- http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=fis...d36-16448/cat-36-catid-300073?var_id=36-16448 Question 3-what are some good basic plants that are low maintenance and do not require Co2? Question 4- would fish poop provide some fertilizer? Question 5-What are rooot tabs and are they necessary if I am not running Co2? That should cover some basics.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=fis...d36-16759/cat-36-catid-300072?var_id=36-16759 thats the link for the plant specific substrate. I would add a inch or so of that material on the aquarium and then add the gravel on top. Should the roots be laid on the plant substrate and then covered with gravel?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Autumnsky]

CaribSea Flora Max Planted Aquarium Substrate thats the link for the plant specific substrate. I would add a inch or so of that material on the aquarium and then add the gravel on top. Should the roots be laid on the plant substrate and then covered with gravel?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

How many inches of gravel do you have now, I would think you need a couple inches to make it worth your while. As I understand it you really need to do a lot of rinsing on that.

Have you looked at Eco-Complete?

 

[Fish king]

I only read the top but I would recommend Java Fern it provides hiding is hardy and can be in a tank with most cichlids and Amazon sword it can't live with cichlids but the leaves will not dry outside water I think Java fern is the same but I'm not 100%


Sent from my iPod touch using Aquarium Advice

 

[Fish king]

Both can handle bad lighting conditions as well


Sent from my iPod touch using Aquarium Advice

 

[Polkadots]

I'm interested in starting a planted tank, commenting to subscribe


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[fish wrangler]

How many inches of gravel do you have now, I would think you need a couple inches to make it worth your while. As I understand it you really need to do a lot of rinsing on that.

Have you looked at Eco-Complete?

I have anout 4 inches of gravel right now. When I put it back in I wouldn't use as much because of the added plant substrate. the Eco-Complete sounds familiar too.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[fish wrangler]

How hardy is Anacharis? I have a fake one right now and a some real ones wouldn't look to bad I think.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Fresh2o]

Question time! I have my gravel substrate right now. I remember seeing something about special plant substrate. Could I remove all the gravel, add 1 bag of this plant stuff, amd then put the gravel back on top of it? Second question-Would an Aqueon T8 25W bulb work for plants? Link for light- http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=fis...d36-16448/cat-36-catid-300073?var_id=36-16448 Question 3-what are some good basic plants that are low maintenance and do not require Co2? Question 4- would fish poop provide some fertilizer? Question 5-What are rooot tabs and are they necessary if I am not running Co2? That should cover some basics.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

1. Yes you could. If you are using EcoComplete then no rinsing is needed. I like the color of the black EcoComplete so I don't cover (or cap) it. Floramax on the other hand will require rinsing.
2. That light would only work for very low to low light plants at best. I would not recommend it. There are some low cost dual T5 HO (high output) and NO (normal output) fixtures available online. LEDs by Finnex are what I use on my planted tank. There are quite a few LED fixtures on the market; some are good for plants and others are good for viewing you fish only.
3. Anubias, java fern, java moss, Cryptocoryne, anacharis, hornwort
4. Yes
5. Basically plant fertilizer in tablet form. Used for feeding the plant roots. Has nothing to do with CO2.
Successful plant growth depends on the balance between three factors: light, fertilizers, and a carbon source. If these get out of balance, then it may result in poor plant growth and/or excessive algae. A carbon source can be in the form of CO2 or Glutaraldehyde (ingredient in products like API CO2 Booster and Seachem Flourish Excel). Low lighting can get by without additional ferts and CO2. As lighting increases, then ferts and CO2 must be increased as well. I have a shallow shrimp tank full of moss and crypts; a dual T5 NO and no ferts or CO2 provided. I also have a high tech planted tank that requires daily ferts and CO2 on a timer.
Here is a link to articles with LOTS of plant info. I recommend reading these: Articles to Help with the Planted Tank


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[fish wrangler]

If I replace the fixture amd go with the dual T5 NO or HO would I need to replace my hood? Ill post a picture of my hood after I post this

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app