[Woody0229]

Hey guys i started my planted aquarium about 4 months ago and i LOVE it. I have t5 lighting 6.7k for both bulbs 24w each. I run Co2 diffused through my penguin power head. I used three bags of eco complete and its all on a 29g tank. Now my question is i have not seen insane growth in any of my plants besides my crypts So i think i am doing something wrong. Could it be my Co2 is not diffusing into the water, i fertilize with flourish plant food once every two weeks. Is that not enough fertilizer? Should i be using root tabs?

Also here is a picture of my tank Please give me some feed back on what you like and dislike about it. I am no pro at aquariums so this is my best shot at a planted one Thanks for any one who gives advice or posts on this thread!

http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums...5039_100000539983527_1063185_1877438523_n.jpg

 

[zachary908]

Believe it or not Eco-complete is inert it's essentially gravel with a high CEC. But that doesn't mean it isn't a good substrate it does a very good job at absorbing nutrients from the water column.

Your tank looks great, but if you aren't happy with your growth I would recommend dosing your fertilizers more often, and putting root tabs in the substrate

 

[radioman]

Definitely up your ferts and start dosing the macros. Read up on the EI method by Tom Barr and root tabs never hurt.

 

[Woody0229]

When putting root tabs in the sub straight do i put them directly under the plants or just some where in the sub straight and they will do there thing?

 

[Tex Gal]

Most root tabs come with diretions. I just put mine around and amoung the roots. The tabs I use have macro and micros. They are BY FAR my favorite. They are at Aquariumplatns.com complete substrate pellets.

Fertilizers do provide the necessary elements for plant growth. The gas pedal for growth is light. The more light the faster the growth. You can also trim your plants so that you will have more stems to grow.

 

[Woody0229]

Noob question but whats a macro? Or macros?

 

[2in10]

Noob question but whats a macro? Or macros?

Macros (macro-nutrients)are Nitrogen which comes from nitrates, Phosphorus which comes from phosphates and Potassium which is usually in the molecules that deliver the nitrate and phosphate.

 

[willbldrco]

Nice job using vertical stripes for your background because going with horizontal can make your aquarium look fat.

Will

 

[Woody0229]

Another question i have is that is it better for me to use R/o water or should i use my tap water and just condition it? I have a 29 gallon salt water and i swear by R/o water i'm just curious to know if that R/o water is just as good for a planted aquarium as it is a marine aquarium?

 

[partobe]

I think your tank looks Great!!!!

 

[willbldrco]

Another question i have is that is it better for me to use R/o water or should i use my tap water and just condition it? I have a 29 gallon salt water and i swear by R/o water i'm just curious to know if that R/o water is just as good for a planted aquarium as it is a marine aquarium?

If you can find a copy of our city's water quality report online, you can check to see what your phosphate, KH, etc. are out of the tap. If they are in line with what you want, then just use tap water.

For me, I find cutting my tap with %25 RO water keeps my parameters in line well. When I use straight tap, my KH spikes and I have issues keeping pH in line. Sadly, that also means I have to add a bit of GH booster. *sigh* You can never win.
Regards,

Will