Suggestions/help - first planted

[Colwell]

Hello everyone this is my first planted tank I'm dosing pps pro and using liquid carbon. I will admit I do miss a day here and there. I have changed my set up a lot and learned the hard was what plants to trim and not to trim. I buried my red lotus bulb n killed it I also tried to trim my dwarf sag like grass and killed that. I have attached photos of the set up now, I would like to know what you think so far and what additions I should make. I'm running low to mid lighting with two t-5s. Thanks everyone!!

 

[20cc]

fill up that left corner with some blyxia japonica and throw a red rubin sword on the back right corner..

Echinodorus 'Rubin' Sword Plant, Red Rubin fo sale

its looking good so far ...

 

[Billbug68]

I really like the layout, you did a fine job. I agree, the left side needs a mid-ground plant to fill in and complement the plant in the back. Blyxa would look cool but likes high light and co2. A big bunch of crypts would fill in well, too.

 

[Mebbid]

I like the layout as well also the suggestions are some good ones too. You might also look at adding some temple leaf hygro or star grass. Those should give you some nice variety in the shape of the leaves in your tank. I would also trim those stem plants down to give them a chance to get bushier, it would really help to fill the tank out better.

 

[Colwell]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was thinking about maybe getting some dwarf sag back and filling the left corner with that or maybe some star grass we will see. I was also thinking of getting another red tiger lotus for the back right corner but I'm not sure what I want there yet. I did a water change and trimmed the stem plants and I split up the anubias on the drift wood. Looks a lot better already

 

[Colwell]

Hey guys it's been a while! I have been dealing with high nitrate problem for a while now. My tap water comes out at about 40ppm which is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. When I'm doing my water changes the "old" water come out at about 20ppm. So it's almost like I'm putting in dirty water and taking out clean. This is part of the reason I started a planted tank. I have lived and learned the hard way how not to plant or trim certain plants. My goal is to make it a pretty heavily planted tank to battle the nitrate levels. Yesterday I bought a Red Rubin Sword plant, should I plant a few root tabs around this? I realize they do need ferts an I'm dosing PPS-Pro with liquid carbon. Also I plan on doing water changes with 50/50 (tap/RO) water to help with nitrates and soften the water. I honestly have had a hard time keep fish alive bc of the high levels. So ATM I just have a 6pack of Cory's in there for now. I don't want to put any others that may be more sensitive and not make it. So guess my question would be is my 50/50 plan ok? Also should I put root tabs around the red Rubin?

Thanks guys!

 

[Mebbid]

Yes to both. With a pps pro fertilizing schedule you should be able to get away with fewer water changes which should help out with your nitrate problems.

 

[Billbug68]

If you're gonna start using RO, keep an eye on your ph, kh, and gh, make sure they don't drop too low.

 

[Colwell]

If you're gonna start using RO, keep an eye on your ph, kh, and gh, make sure they don't drop too low.

Ok thanks a lot I'll be sure to test it and find the happy medium. What would be too low?