planted tank basics

[kpxiv]

i'm interested in setting up a really nice long term planted tank, but i'm not really sure about what a seriously planted tank will need.  obviously good strong lighting, and plants, but what kind of substrate/soils do yall recommend?  will a planted tank only survive in a certain ph range?

[gt3guru]

Re: planted tank basics

If you have the money to spend there are alot of good substrate options. ADA being the high end, flourite, laterite, eco complete in the middle, and soilmaster (my choice) sandblasting grit, soil, peat, and other DIY substrates bringing up the rear.

light is usually the first limiting factor, aim for at least 2 wpg. as you approach 3 wpg CO2 becomes the limiting factor.

DIY the co2 with a yeast generator or go all out with a pressurized CO2 system that runs from 50 (bargain basement) to 2-300 for a ph regulated planted tank specific model. You can also use flourish Excel as a co2 suppliment.

once CO2 is satisfied fertilizer becomes the limiting factor. nitrates, potassium, and phosphates. you can buy in bulk (cheap) from gregwatson.com or pick up a few bottles of flourish (or other brand) suppliments (expensive).

Now its just about balancing light, co2, and ferts to make sure algae doesn't take over. alot of people swear by the estimative index (EI) that can be found at aquaticplantcentral.com

http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/62-estimative-index-dosing-no-need-test-kits.html

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/science-aquatic-fertilizing/15225-estimative-index-dosing-guide.html

Picking out the right plants is also important, highlight, low light, ph, temp, fert requirements.

Then its the hard part, aquascaping. making everything pretty.

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2006.cgi

http://www.aquabotanic.com/aquamenu.htm

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/index.php

ENJOY!

[kpxiv]

Re: planted tank basics

thanks- i just realized there is a whole forum dedicated to planted tanks so i now feel stupid.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: planted tank basics

Do lots of reading and if it's long term I would go with low light/slow growing plants to minimize the trimming and such.

Good lighting really helps the tank look good as well!

With the substrate I will have to say that when compared on a weight to weight pricing ADA aquasoil is but a few dollars more but in some cases about the same as the others. Also we have 3 places in Houston to get it from. I have grown plants under super high light and have used aquasoil,eco, florabase and inert sand and have to say that aquasoil is my favorite cause it grows any plant like weeds and does wonders for the tank, next would be flora and last would be eco.

[Mzungu]

Re: planted tank basics

Wow, well, gt3guru and ek summed it up pretty well for ya!

I agree with ek, that using low light/slow growing plants would be much easier for a long term planted tank. Weekly trimmings can get pretty tedious, and if you miss a couple, you've got a jungle on your hands!

Basically, what you do all depends on how much you want to spend. What size tank are you thinking about?

[djmatthewblack]

Re: planted tank basics

I used live plants in my 10 gallon to help regulate the pH.  The tap water is 7.8 and the plants will bring it down to 6.8.  I used to have plastic plants and I took everything out of my tank, put down ADA soil and gravel ontop and stuck the plants in.  Ever since my nitrites have been zero.  Good info here, I am doing a 35 gallon this weekend.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: planted tank basics

I don't think the plants are doing the lowering of pH but rather the Aquasoil cause that is one of it's properties along with lowering hardness.

[kpxiv]

Re: planted tank basics

Basically, what you do all depends on how much you want to spend. What size tank are you thinking about?

right now to start out with i'd like to keep it small, so probably a 10 gallon.  as for prices, i don't want to half *** anything, but i'd rather not have it be too exorbitant; that's why i think a smallish tank would be a good start.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: planted tank basics

IMHO  small planted tanks are harder to maintan
if you use small plants, they are harder to find & cost more
if you use medium plants they are constantly growing out of the tank
and then you have to find tiny fish......
Besides, I can't see the tiney stuf w/o my glasses  8O

[Zulaab]

Re: planted tank basics

we have 3 places in Houston to get it from. I have grown plants under super high light and have used aquasoil,eco, florabase and inert sand and have to say that aquasoil is my favorite cause it grows any plant like weeds and does wonders for the tank, next would be flora and last would be eco.

Eklikewhoa, where in Houston can you find this soil..  I am thinking that in the next coming months I am wanting to get a second tank and with it I would like to plant it.  I am thinking of getting a 40G tank to sit in my master bedroom.  When I was young, I used to have a 40G tank with Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (German Blue Rams) and I absolutely loved them.   They where the last fish I owned and got to spawn before moving to the US 22 years ago.  I want to recreate that again with a tank in my bedroom and I was thinking getting a tank setup with plants etc would be really nice.

Then comes the big project for next year, replacing the current 60G tank with a 125-150G so the Oscar's, Green Terrors and Pink Convicts can have a bigger home.  I am not sure that it would good for planting as they are all fish that wants to rearrange the place for you.  The 60G tank will most likely then be converted to something the kids would like to look at.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: planted tank basics

City Pets
ADG www.adgshop.com
Fish Gallery

City Pets and ADG sell it for the normal price you find everywhere else but Fish Gallery for some reason charges a bit more.

[Mzungu]

Re: planted tank basics

I agree with PhishPhreek. Although lots of fun, smaller planted tanks are more demanding. That is, if you go with high light and CO2, that kind of stuff. If you're planning on a low light setup, plants like java fern, mosses, and anubias (nana petite, for example) do really well and grow slowly, so you don't have the constant maintenance like you would for taller-growing stem plants.

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