From African cichlids to planted tank.

[Raul]

I decided in May to migrate my tank from African Cichlids to a planted tank it has been definitely a journey but well it is looking all good, here are some pics from when I started and how it looks now.

http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r764/blued3m0n/IMG_2107_zps3ef5a669.jpg

http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r764/blued3m0n/IMG_2368_zps27e654f4.jpg

http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r764/blued3m0n/IMG_2368_zps27e654f4.jpg

http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r764/blued3m0n/tankupdate_zps73b3c78e.jpg

http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r764/blued3m0n/plantedlast725_zpsfab9d630.jpg

[LooksLater]

Wow. Very impressive, it looks great...! Definitely got a green thumb, I'd say.

[Raul]

Thanks, the plant that really has helped, I will say the Wisteria, which it is growing like crazy. And got it from the gel packages that sell at petsmart.

[LooksLater]

I've ended up with some good plants that way, too- just have to know what to look for (and what NOT to buy, lol)! The lotus looks really happy, too...such a beautiful plant.

[Raul]

yes that one I got it from HAW, definitely my favorite plant too the only thing I notice it is a mean plant :) it is starving the lower plants from light ;-)

[Chester]

Very nice tank! so far the gel pack plants have turned out great... except the dwarf hair grass but that's my fault cause i planted it on some fluval stratum with corries swimming around and they all got uprooted lol!

[LooksLater]

yes that one I got it from HAW, definitely my favorite plant too the only thing I notice it is a mean plant :) it is starving the lower plants from light ;-)

Yes, it definitely likes it's space...if you don't allow for it, it'll TAKE it! lol

Very nice tank! so far the gel pack plants have turned out great... except the dwarf hair grass but that's my fault cause i planted it on some fluval stratum with corries swimming around and they all got uprooted lol!

My o-cats do the same thing... I finally gave up on anything with short roots.

[aquabee]

That is just beautiful Raul. Inspirational for worn out folks like myself. :)


Sent from my iPhone by one of my fish

[morpheus]

That looks really nice Raul. The wisteria definitely does fill in a lot of areas nicely. hope my tank turns out half as good as that when it fills in

[JAYGEE]

looks good Raul!! Keep us updated on your tank!!

[wesleh]

Awesome transformation!

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[Raul]

thanks, well I think the key for that fast grow is of course is CO2, lights and ferts, which the only thing is to keep up with the regime, and yes I had had my battle with hairA, BBA, GSA etc etc and all the algaes that you can imagine which i might not even know they are there.

[mr504]

Nice looking aquascape.

What type of lights and fertilizers, CO2 fertilizers have you been using?



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[Raul]

Nice looking aquascape.

What type of lights and fertilizers, CO2 fertilizers have you been using?



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Thanks, I am running the PPS-PRO system for ferts which is technically dry ferts but on a daily dosage.

Light I have 4T5HO catalina fixture but it has 3 switches so i change the amount of light during the day.

Start with 1 6500K add a roseta about 2 hours after then during the high light period another roseta with a 10K and then I start turning them off from 4-2-1.

And CO2 pressurized, and I use a cerges type reactor to diffuse the CO2.