Start of my first planted tank

aquarist · 09-05-2012, 10:32 AM

They appear to be just bubbles.

Sethjohnson30 · 09-05-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QQQUUUUAADDD

Why do you need the root tabs when you have Eco?

Eco complete does not have much to it. I just set up a 72g w/ Eco complete and my plants were dying within two days. I added root tabs and I'm dosing a small amount of dry ferts. My plants are flourishing it's been two months, no sign of algae(knock on wood)

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Sethjohnson30 · 09-05-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pejerrey

Are all those the plants real?

Hmmm, you may not have enough plant mass to have a long photoperiod without have an algae explosion.
Just be conservative with the light. It's the driving force.

-may the light be with you-

Fake plants are bad uhhhhh..... They cut your fish. And fake plants are bad.....

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Neatfish · 09-05-2012, 02:36 PM

I'm taking the fake plants out. That's bubbles from the spray bar.

pejerrey · 09-05-2012, 02:46 PM

I wouldn't have the light on for more than 4 hrs for now.

Neatfish · 09-05-2012, 03:14 PM

Why? I took out the fake plants now.

pejerrey · 09-05-2012, 03:19 PM

Because if there is too much light and the plants are not enough to take the nutrients then algae will do it and you will end up with all the plants and other stuff covered in algae. Still, you don't know if you will need co2 for your light intensity.

In other words...

If you have nutrients that can't be used by plants (lack of co2 or too much light), then algae will show up to make up for the amount of photosynthesis that needs to happen in relation with the amount of light/available nutrients.

This is why I advised you to start heavily planted. It even helps the cycle as the plants are covered in biofilm that would inoculate the tank.

Having a planted tank is always working with this balance between light/co2, plans/algae...

Do you know why could you need co2?

iheartbettas · 09-05-2012, 03:27 PM

i'm not an expert, but i think a single t8 light will not cut if you're going to have dwarf hairgrass. It's probably only good for anubias, crypts, and marimo balls.

pejerrey · 09-05-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartbettas

i'm not an expert, but i think a single t8 light will not cut if you're going to have dwarf hairgrass. It's probably only good for anubias, crypts, and marimo balls.

Yeah, and hair grass won't absorb much nutrients even with high light and co2. Anyways, you need to start with easier plants. Like stem plants.

Neatfish · 09-05-2012, 03:41 PM

I'm going to try and grow out some bulbs.

pejerrey · 09-05-2012, 04:44 PM

You r better off buying plants from sellers here at TPT. It's way cheaper and great service.

I buy plants from PLANTBRAIN & H4N

NQuaday · 09-05-2012, 06:55 PM

I second pejerrey. I have two plant packages in transit to start my new 20 long heavily planted and it was incredibly straight forward and easy to get a lot of plants from fellow hobbyists for dirt cheap. Cant vouch for quality yet but im sure I will be very pleased Fingers crossed.
Excited to see how this tank develops.

Neatfish · 09-05-2012, 08:05 PM

I got some bulbs let's see if i can grow them.

pejerrey · 09-05-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neatfish

I got some bulbs let's see if i can grow them.

WHere did you buy them? What are they?
What is going to happen in the meantime?
I can give you some stem and floating plants if you pay for the shipping ($6) Pm me if interested.

Neatfish · 09-05-2012, 10:45 PM

From walmart I think they are aponogeton bulbs and some other kind as well. I've grown them before with no help of light or nothing. Just put some rocks in the tank. I'm going to be out of town for a while but if you p/m me the pics probably when I get back that can happen.

09-05-2012, 02:46 PM	#20
pejerrey Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 1,911	I wouldn't have the light on for more than 4 hrs for now. __________________ *A heavily planted shrimp tank is possible!*

09-05-2012, 03:19 PM	#22
pejerrey Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 1,911	Because if there is too much light and the plants are not enough to take the nutrients then algae will do it and you will end up with all the plants and other stuff covered in algae. Still, you don't know if you will need co2 for your light intensity. In other words... If you have nutrients that can't be used by plants (lack of co2 or too much light), then algae will show up to make up for the amount of photosynthesis that needs to happen in relation with the amount of light/available nutrients. This is why I advised you to start heavily planted. It even helps the cycle as the plants are covered in biofilm that would inoculate the tank. Having a planted tank is always working with this balance between light/co2, plans/algae... Do you know why could you need co2? __________________ *A heavily planted shrimp tank is possible!*

09-05-2012, 04:44 PM	#26
pejerrey Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakland, California Posts: 1,911	You r better off buying plants from sellers here at TPT. It's way cheaper and great service. I buy plants from PLANTBRAIN & H4N __________________ *A heavily planted shrimp tank is possible!*

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09-05-2012, 10:32 AM	#16
aquarist Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 133	They appear to be just bubbles.

09-05-2012, 02:36 PM	#19
Neatfish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: TX Posts: 879	I'm taking the fake plants out. That's bubbles from the spray bar.

09-05-2012, 03:14 PM	#21
Neatfish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: TX Posts: 879	Why? I took out the fake plants now.

09-05-2012, 03:27 PM	#23
iheartbettas Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Detroit Posts: 4	i'm not an expert, but i think a single t8 light will not cut if you're going to have dwarf hairgrass. It's probably only good for anubias, crypts, and marimo balls.

09-05-2012, 03:41 PM	#25
Neatfish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: TX Posts: 879	I'm going to try and grow out some bulbs.

09-05-2012, 06:55 PM	#27
NQuaday Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 68	I second pejerrey. I have two plant packages in transit to start my new 20 long heavily planted and it was incredibly straight forward and easy to get a lot of plants from fellow hobbyists for dirt cheap. Cant vouch for quality yet but im sure I will be very pleased Fingers crossed. Excited to see how this tank develops.

09-05-2012, 08:05 PM	#28
Neatfish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: TX Posts: 879	I got some bulbs let's see if i can grow them.

09-05-2012, 10:45 PM	#30
Neatfish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: TX Posts: 879	From walmart I think they are aponogeton bulbs and some other kind as well. I've grown them before with no help of light or nothing. Just put some rocks in the tank. I'm going to be out of town for a while but if you p/m me the pics probably when I get back that can happen.