I'm looking for some advice or suggestions about the depth of my substrate. Wanting to know if the substrate is too deep specifically. It's been planted for 10 days with ok growth. The HC Cuba isn't doing well though. I'm dosing API CO2 Booster daily and API Leaf every other day. Here are the particulars:
46 gallon bowed front
Marineland 200 HOB Filter
Marine land Single LED light bar
30lbs of Flourite Substrate
50lbs of pool filter sand
The plants are HC Cuba, Ludwigia Repens, Eleocharis and Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae.
How deep is it? Looks like the sand is a little deep from the pic. If the sand is no more than 1.5", and total substrate is no more than 3-4", you should be fine. I don't think your light will be strong enough, however.
Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about removing some of the sand.
I received the LED light with the aquarium package. I'm currently looking for a replacement for probably medium tech. Plan on putting Discus in the tank in about 3-4 weeks too.
I agree with GT, the sand does look a little deep; but, photos can be deceiving. Do you have any measurements of how deep it? IMO 10 days is pretty short to truly tell how plats are doing because they are going to be going through shock for at least a week or more depending on the plant. Also, HC is a notoriously slow grower and a medium pace grower in IDEAL conditions so it's not too surprising it hasn't "taken off" yet. Personally, I would monitor the tank for another week and make another assessment then.
Oh, one more thing: I would advise against removing any sand if it involves any replanting for a little while because this will induce even more stress to the already stressed (or recently getting over being stressed) plants.
That tank is way too small for discus. They need at least 10 gallons each and do best in groups of 7 or more. I made this mistake already. 90+ gallons is needed. As far as the HC goes, high light and high co2 work best. Can you grow it under different conditions? Sure, but it won't grow well. It is a slow growing plant, but with proper conditions, it looks awesome.
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