Low light planted tank

[Athaocity]

haha oh no, I didnt intended for this. >.<

 

[tamtam]

Just reread this whole thread and I am so pumped up. Hoping to hit the pet store this coming week and see what deals they have on plants. Got some gifted Bday money that needs spending. So pumped!

 

[Leebaker98]

Interesting thread for me too this, had my new tank set up for about 6 weeks after not havin had one since my teens and def ready an eager to get planting now its all cycled and stable...

 

[tamtam]

Interesting thread for me too this, had my new tank set up for about 6 weeks after not havin had one since my teens and def ready an eager to get planting now its all cycled and stable...

very nice. What do you have in there currently?

 

[creic38]

Here we go...,,,more temptation. You guys are killing me! I'm heading to my lfs tomorrow. He just got in a huge shipment of plants. Plus I have a red cherry about to give birth, plus a whisker shrimp about to give birth, and I think 3 of my 5 female endlers are pregnant! Sheesh, I got my hands full!

 

[callisto9]

Just got my 20G planted today, though I'm not done rearranging yet. I'm waiting on my manzanita to arrive. I have root tabs, but I'm not sure if I should just stick the whole tab under there - they are huge.

 

[creic38]

Ram it in there. They last a few months.

 

[callisto9]

Ram it in there. They last a few months.

LOL - the fish aren't even in there yet, so I guess no worries, right?

 

[creic38]

Well....you still gotta take care of those plants, especially since there is no "natural" fertilizer from the fish waste. You should be fine though. Man, I am heading out in a little bit to buy more plants. You guys made me weak......hahahaha.

 

[callisto9]

I cut the root tabs into 3 pieces each and shoved them in there. We'll see. One of my plants now has little black dots on it today.

 

[creic38]

Went lfs hopping yesterday. Hit up 3 spots, and couldn't make up my mind on stuff. Ended up with a bunch of jungle Val for my 29 and a couple of marimo balls. Kicking myself because the marimo balls were $1.50......should've bought like 10 or more!

 

[callisto9]

Went lfs hopping yesterday. Hit up 3 spots, and couldn't make up my mind on stuff. Ended up with a bunch of jungle Val for my 29 and a couple of marimo balls. Kicking myself because the marimo balls were $1.50......should've bought like 10 or more!

That's cheap for Marimo balls!

I'm starting to hate val - it's so hard to get it to stay put!

 

[creic38]

Either dig it in or weigh it down. I had trouble getting it in, but it's there now. Hopefully it stays put and grows. It's already big, topping out my 29 and running along the surface. Yes, the marimo balls are dirt cheap at this place. And they are golf ball size or larger!

 

[BBradbury]

Terraphyte / Biotope Tanks

Today...

Made more room for some Chinese Evergreens in one of my tanks. Attached are some pics of my 38 G. Nearly self-sufficient. The emersed plant roots use the nitrogens produced by the fish waste as fertilizer, so the water stays pure for the fish. Small, two gallon water changes every week. No need to test the water it's clean enough for the "Livebearers" to breed. No visible algae, because there are no added nutrients in the water. A balanced system between fish and plants.

B

 

[creic38]

That's awesome. Is it low tech though? I would assume not. I could be wrong, I am far from an expert.

 

[BBradbury]

Nearly Self-Sufficient Tank

Hello creic...

Absolutely low tech. Th aquatic plants use a couple of T5, 28 watt bulbs. The emersed ones use only "ambient" (room light). I keep a pole lamp with a 60 watt bulb going about 12 hours a day is all.

No water testing is required and no large water changes. Just have a couple of small HOBs going at night, when the emersed plants slow their filtering process. Low tech, low maintenance.

B

 

[creic38]

That's awesome! I hope to get there some day.

 

[lamby]

had a read thought I would throw my 10cents in with my low light nano planted tanks

 

[lamby]

very low tec internal filter 25w bulbs plants and fish do the rest never had water problems all my ftests are always the same and the plants are growing very quick im still new to the plants 2

 

[Athaocity]

is that a nano with a cichlid?