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2516 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by nanobettaman, Sep 20, 2012

topenjoin

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2012

Hi all, just wanted to introduce my self to these forums. I recently started this hobby with planted tanks, and i think it looks very beautiful to say the least, I have a couple of tanks mainly demasoni and yellow lab cichlid tanks,
125 gallon, 40b, 10, and a 3 gallon tank,

I currently have my 10 gallon tank with some plants and shrimp now. After a lot of research, I am thinking of turning my 40b demasoni and yellow lab tank into a planted. Just sad that i cannot keep both cichlids and plants in one beautiful tank :icon_cry:.

I guess i am just looking for recommendations of what kind of plants to keep, as well as fish/shrimp that will go well with the tank.

Right now i have a couple of plants. I have Java moss which I love, 2 amazon swords, and a couple others i don't know the name of for now.

Also where is the least expensive place to get plants. Ive been stuck paying a lot of money for my plants. Ive seen the forum for the GCCA swap meet in the parking lot the 30th, i will definetly be there for the plant meet. Looking forward on meeting some people.

Thanks all

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DogFish

· #2 · Sep 18, 2012

Welcome and looking forward to meeting you at the Swap.

You can do a lot with a 40B. You'll 1st want to decide your budget & preferences Low light can be less expensive Equipment wise. High light will need a bit more invested in CO2 and more trimming maine. time will be needed.

I'd suggest a Google image search & youtube for planted Aquarium contests. You can see the various styles of Aquascapimg by the better "Aquatic Artists" in the hobby. That can help get a vision in your mind of what you'd like to own.

One thing you'll notice some of the nicest tank only have 2-3 sp. of plants. Not including Dutch Style Tanks.

For quality it's hard to find a "deal" better than buying plants from your fellow TPT members. We put a lot of pride in what we grow not unlike folks that breed cichlids do.

Once you get an idea of what you like we can help with suggestions.

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topenjoin

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 18, 2012

I was thinking maybe of a med light setup, i was looking at a t5HO setup 3x39 watts,
i already have a diy yeast setup in my 10 gallon. Really looking forward on meeting with you guys for buying/trading plants. LFS are very overpriced. Thanks

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DogFish

· #4 · Sep 18, 2012

topenjoin said:
I was thinking maybe of a med light setup, i was looking at a t5HO setup 3x39 watts,
i already have a diy yeast setup in my 10 gallon. Really looking forward on meeting with you guys for buying/trading plants. LFS are very overpriced. Thanks

Go over to the Lightig sub-forum and read the sticky about PAR. 3-39 is going to be high unless you suspend it above the tank. Hoppy's sticky will help.

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topenjoin

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 18, 2012

Will def check it out, I guess the first thing to figure out what kind of plants to keep? Then the lighting. Thanks for all your help I really appreciate it.

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DogFish

· #6 · Sep 18, 2012

topenjoin said:
Will def check it out, I guess the first thing to figure out what kind of plants to keep? Then the lighting. Thanks for all your help I really appreciate it.

Yes, I think you need to get that vision of what you want 1st then work from there. I wanted the look of a reef only with fresh water plants, fish & inverts. But, I wanted it simple and I didn't want to ve trimming 3Xs week or playing mad scientist with CO2, dosing, timers, software to keep track of everything. etc, etc.

I have two Sp of Crypts, Taiwan moss and Java Fern in my 40gl tank, simple easy keeper, looks great. I stocked it with fish & inverts that all like to eat algae, Ammano shrimp, Ramshorn snails, SAE and Cherry Barbs.

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topenjoin

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 19, 2012

Here is a picture of what i currently have in my 10 gallon

trying to start a moss wall.
have moss on driftwood i just put in today,
i am very concerned about my moss tho, as it gets really dirty looking covered in algae. any word on advice to help keep algae off moss?
for the 10 gallon i have now i have 2 13 watt compact florescent bulb so 26 watt total, which i leave on about 10 hours a day. Not in direct sunlight either. I am hoping to throw all these plants into a 40b tank

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trapperwolves

· #8 · Sep 19, 2012

The red cherry shrimp you're going to add (per our pm)will help to get rid of a lot of the algae.
I have a 10 gallon and I use only 1 light (versus your 2) which seems to work pretty good for plant growth and keeping the algea at bay.

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topenjoin

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 20, 2012

So I should only run one 13 watt light bulb in a 10 gallon? I have co2 in this tank
Thanks for the help

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devilduck

· #10 · Sep 20, 2012

Welcome to the forum!

I have the same type of amazon sword plant in my tank, it's taking it over!

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trapperwolves

· #11 · Sep 20, 2012

Algae is caused by too much light. When the plants can't take up any more nutrients algae takes over. You might start by decreasing the light duration from 10 hours to 8. Or try splitting the time the lights are on to something like 5 hours on, 4 hours off, 5 hours on.

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nanobettaman

· #12 · Sep 20, 2012

trapperwolves said:
Algae is caused by too much light. When the plants can't take up any more nutrients algae takes over. You might start by decreasing the light duration from 10 hours to 8. Or try splitting the time the lights are on to something like 5 hours on, 4 hours off, 5 hours on.

Welcome to the forum...

Trapper is right about dropping the light duration. I run 8 hours divided between 3 photoperiods on my 15gal tank (65w cfl) during the day and have little issue with algae save for the real slow-growers.

Get yourself test kits for phosphate, nitrates, etc. Keeping those at the proper levels is very important when injecting co2 as well.

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