[GeekTee]

So I decided to get into planted aquariums and got a what I think is a 8 to 9 gallon Mr. Aqua tank. I got the ADA Amazonian substrate and have been letting my tank cycle for about 3 weeks. So the issue I am having is some of my plants are doing well the others are dying. I took my water to the local fish store and most everything is high. No fish. I have a Co2 diffuser. My light Archaea ULTRA-GRO Aquatic Plant LED (for 45cm tank) Any ideas?

 

[GeekTee]

So here is a closer picture of my tank. If you look you might see on the left side of the tank the dying plants.
Left


Here is the right side...



I've done water changes every week. My local fish store Aquatouch said they have plant water that would help with the Amazonian soil due to the buffers they put in it. HELP please I need ideas on what I am doing wrong.

 

[GeekTee]

So I am very new to this hobby. I wish I knew what the plants are in my tank. But I do know I have dwarf tears and some anubias. As far as the others I don't know. My soil is the ADA Aqua Soil powder and regular. I went to my local fish store AquaTouch in AZ and they recommended that I put in some fertilizers. I don't know the name because it is another language, I think it is Leaf Aquatics. LOL. So I bought these two based on their recommendations. I have algae starting to grow in my tank. I use a penn cascade filter. I put light on for about 10 hours a day. I have the fluval CO2 diffuser. Which I follow the instructions on filling the chambers twice a day so it slow releases it. Here are some more pictures if it helps. Thank you all for your help!! I really appreciate it.

 

[GeekTee]

Absolutely need way more plants for amazonia. Daily water changes for weeks 1-2, every other day water changes for weeks 3-4, bi-weekly water changes for week 5-6, then continue from there with weekly water changes (pending ammonia levels). Reduce your photo period to 5-6 hours a day for a week or so and then slowly lengthen your photo period (how long your lights are on in a day) a half hour a week untill you get to your desired photo period (also, pending on the development and mass of your plants). Amazonia should provide more than enough nutrients (the whole point behind aquasoil) that added nutrients are not needed at this time, especially with the few plants you have. I would skip the "plant water", it's probably just ro (reverse osmosis) anyways and for a tank this small, distilled water is a very cheap alternative, just remember to remineralize it with a product like seachem equilibrium or do a mix of distilled and tap water to add minerals.

I would get at least 3 times the amount of plant mass you have already. A carbon source (either seachem excel or pressurized/DIY) will benefit all of your plants, especially the dwarf baby tears. Do more research and try some things out and you will figure out what you need to do.

Also, one bit of advice about this hobby, it takes money. Don't try to cheap out on something just to save money, you will pay for it ten-fold when it comes time to upgrade to better equipment. Buy the best epuipment you can afford and if you can't, save up. It will make this hobby a lot more relaxing and rewarding. GO SLOW. Speed will kill you in this hobby, whether you are increasing or decreasing a variable.

A test kit wouldn't hurt in this stage of your tank to test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates so you know when the amazonia is done leaching ammonia and when your tank has completed the cycle.

More plants is an absolute must though but the plants you have now (other than dwarf baby tears, separate clumps and plant as many pieces as you can) actually look pretty decent in my opinion.

Thank you! Ill have to buy some plants this weekend. Do you recommend a Co2 system that isn't crazy expensive that will work for my 8 or 9 gallon tank? Thank you everyone for your input.