malonbl
Aquarium Advice Activist
Been in the hobby since Christmas. Decided on plants 1 month ago. Researched enough to know what plants to buy for my very low light tank.
Here is my tank:
29 gallon, 2 HOB filters, fine gravel substrate, single T8 fluorescent, lots of DW, lava rocks, nano fish, weekly water changes of about 40%
Here is my water:
cycled tank (ammonia and nitrites zero), nitrates 5-10, phosphates 0, pH 7.8, medium-soft water (dGH 7) and decent buffering capacity (dKH 5)
Current plants:
anubias (3 frazeri, 3 nanas, 1 coffefolia), java fern (3 bunched into 1 planting), java moss. Plan to add a few more
After getting the plants in the tank (2 wks ago), I began reading more about their upkeep (substrate, lighting, micros, macros, carbon, etc). Have learned a ton perusing this and other forums, making posts and getting feedback and doing my own reading. Rivercats has been especially helpful. What I have learned is that there are a few general rules that are universal, but there is more that is debated. It seems that "just doing it" will be the way to learn what works best within my given tank.
To my point now. I am 90% confident that the following is how I will proceed, but I wanted to share it with more experienced folks to be sure no fatal flaws are noticed.
1) Attempt to increase my current 8 hr photoperiod (benefit of very low light). Will do this in 30 minute increments and allow 3 weeks for algae explosion, prior to increasing again.
2) Dose carbon in the form of metricide 14 very conservatively, starting at 1 ml/10 gallons daily. Consider increasing if algae a problem
3) Dose phosphate/potassium dry mix (from GLA) conservatively targeting phosphates between 0.5 - 1 ppm. Will test phospates prior to weekly water changes to titrate my dosing towards my target range.
4) Target nitrates at 5-10 ppm. Can dose with GLA dry KNO3 if needed (based on testing), but my water seems to always have at least 5 ppm
5) Dose micro/trace weekly with flourish comprehensive (already have bottle). I purchased the dry ferts package, so I may switch to CSM+B once my fluorish bottle is empty
My main goals are to have healthy fish and plants (growth rate not a concern) and to gain experience in keeping plants as I have an empty 20 gallon long that I want to plant at "medium-tech/light".
Any critique is welcome and thanks in advance.
Here is my tank:
29 gallon, 2 HOB filters, fine gravel substrate, single T8 fluorescent, lots of DW, lava rocks, nano fish, weekly water changes of about 40%
Here is my water:
cycled tank (ammonia and nitrites zero), nitrates 5-10, phosphates 0, pH 7.8, medium-soft water (dGH 7) and decent buffering capacity (dKH 5)
Current plants:
anubias (3 frazeri, 3 nanas, 1 coffefolia), java fern (3 bunched into 1 planting), java moss. Plan to add a few more
After getting the plants in the tank (2 wks ago), I began reading more about their upkeep (substrate, lighting, micros, macros, carbon, etc). Have learned a ton perusing this and other forums, making posts and getting feedback and doing my own reading. Rivercats has been especially helpful. What I have learned is that there are a few general rules that are universal, but there is more that is debated. It seems that "just doing it" will be the way to learn what works best within my given tank.
To my point now. I am 90% confident that the following is how I will proceed, but I wanted to share it with more experienced folks to be sure no fatal flaws are noticed.
1) Attempt to increase my current 8 hr photoperiod (benefit of very low light). Will do this in 30 minute increments and allow 3 weeks for algae explosion, prior to increasing again.
2) Dose carbon in the form of metricide 14 very conservatively, starting at 1 ml/10 gallons daily. Consider increasing if algae a problem
3) Dose phosphate/potassium dry mix (from GLA) conservatively targeting phosphates between 0.5 - 1 ppm. Will test phospates prior to weekly water changes to titrate my dosing towards my target range.
4) Target nitrates at 5-10 ppm. Can dose with GLA dry KNO3 if needed (based on testing), but my water seems to always have at least 5 ppm
5) Dose micro/trace weekly with flourish comprehensive (already have bottle). I purchased the dry ferts package, so I may switch to CSM+B once my fluorish bottle is empty
My main goals are to have healthy fish and plants (growth rate not a concern) and to gain experience in keeping plants as I have an empty 20 gallon long that I want to plant at "medium-tech/light".
Any critique is welcome and thanks in advance.
