Planted Tank Basics

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

After my run in with the DIY yeast co2.....it's worth the money to either invest in co2 or just buy a bottle of Seachem excel....

DIY is good in the beginning but messy, unstable, and time consuming. I switched over and praised the cost it was so much better!

[CichlidFan]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Would there be any benefit to try and use a small home made W/D filter for a planted tank?

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Unless you can build it like a sump and have the minimal amount of surface breakage, no.

They gas off co2 which is what you want in a planted tank.

[CichlidFan]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

It's a silly idea anyway....but I have thought about the W/D's I'm using now, too take the return line and run them down towards the the bottom and have them "spray" over the substrate.

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

If you have enough circulation in the tank that's what it's doing anyways....?

Or you could just add a Koralia powerhead which has a wide angle pattern so the current isn't too overwhelming and still pushes the high GPH.


The main problem is the gassing out at the overflow itself and then the drip tray

[CichlidFan]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Maybe you can explain that term "gassing out" at the christmas party or anytime we happen to meet next. I'd be interested in hearing more about this procedure and its' origins and consequences.

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

It's pretty simple actually.....

surface agitation releases co2 which is in the water that are given off by fish/plants/inverts/etc. the surface agitation will aid in the exchange co2 for o2. Which is why the wet/dry is such an incredible beast! In planted tanks we usually inject co2 in one form or another so we would want our efforts to wasted so minimal surface agitation equals less gas exchange.

[CichlidFan]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

I still would like to go over this topic in detail sometime soon.  It sounds very interesting. Hey another question I have been meaning to ask is, why so many planted tanks look so clean and clear. I would think with the better lighting, that a planted tank would be covered with algae, why are they not?

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Tank is in balance!

Nutrients need to be in balance with each other...lighting kept to the needs of the plants....good water circulation.....CO2!!!

[Mzungu]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Couldn't agree more. When tanks get "mature," it is a wonderful thing. And CO2 REALLY helps with algae, as well. Most tanks will go through a bloom or two at the beginning, but they'll get more stable over time.

I also agree with the DIY vs. pressurized. With DIY, IME, the periods between changing out the yeast solution get longer every time. After about a year of this, I have now altogether stopped changing the mixtures out. Maybe I'm just too lazy, or maybe it corresponds with getting my first pressurized CO2...Pretty sure it's more of the latter.

[CichlidFan]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Well, I have a nice short tank for my first attempt, and I can pick up the other items I need as they become available, the biggest things will be the lights, and the ADA soil.

I'm pretty excited a bout getting started, but will take it slowly and see how it goes.

CF

[Mzungu]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

How many gallons? What are the dimensions? Just curious!

[CichlidFan]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

It's about 14 high x 12 deep, and 30 wide. (I'm guessing, I have not used it yet)
It has no lids, no lights, but brand new.

CF

[PlanB]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Sounds like a 20g Long. I think they make good plant tanks because since they're not too deep or tall a good single strip light gets decent penetration and you also get a nice wide view.

[Mzungu]

Re: Planted Tank Basics

Yeah, that's true. But I have also found that 30" is a difficult size for lighting.