planted tank

28 posts • Page 1 of 3

Discuss all topics related to freshwater and planted tanks.


Mike0372983
 
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:59 pm

planted tank

by Mike0372983

check out this additional tank picture and tell me what you think I will need to make my tank look like this;
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/friendemail.php/21128
(hiw many watts per gallon, what some plant names are, substrate, and anything else... o ya and I need to know a fish that will clean fish feces up good...


Peterkarig3210
 
Posts: 1980
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:04 am

by Peterkarig3210

You'll need at least 4 watts per gallon and most people can't grow a tank like that without co2 added and regular fertilisation. There are many high light plants including hairgrass. That's why.


a1k8t31524
 
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 5:10 am

by a1k8t31524

dont forget lots of money....lol


Mike0372983
 
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:59 pm

by Mike0372983

lmao, actually this person is off the site and he said it is a low light tank with only 2 watts oer gallon. I grow hairgrass in my tank and right now I only have about 3/4 of a watt. So I think I will be fine. Which would be better, a special substarte or fertilizer tabs...?


Peterkarig3210
 
Posts: 1980
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:04 am

by Peterkarig3210

I don't knw how you're growing hair grass with the light you have, but that's great if you can. I'd go with Eco-Complete or flourite and fert tabs. Don't mix Eco-complete and flourite though unless you don't want to see the Eco-Complete. The flourite gets on top and stays there.

Good luck with the lighting. I use about 5 watts per gallon for my high light planted tank.


a1k8t31524
 
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 5:10 am

by a1k8t31524

you may be able to grow the hair grass now but the question is will it survive....
you will need ferts, but beep in mind only use iron if needed, you want to keep iron in a planted tank to a minimum for the fact that iron is one of the main nutrients that algae uses. I am slowly overcoming my battle with red / brush algae. I lowered my PH added Co2 and use only the essential nutrients for my ferts.
But i also have just a regular substrate, so the ferts are something i do need.
I personally do not thik your hair grass will survive in such low light conditions. unless mabey your tank is close to a window? possibly getting a good source of natural light. I have 5 watts per gallon in my 55
My plants do great. But like i said i am battling brush algae


Mike0372983
 
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:59 pm

by Mike0372983

ya the top of the hairgrass is slowly turning brown, but it has still survived for about 3 months now... so what would you recomend for swords, 2.5 watts per gallon, or 4 watts per gallon? the 4 watts is more expensive but if it's that worth it I will deal with it... and possibly some flourite, no new filter I guese... :P


Mike0372983
 
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:59 pm

by Mike0372983

2 WPG or 3 WPG or 4 WPG best for swords, keep in mind the 4 watts per gallon is about 2 bucks!!!


Mike0372983
 
Posts: 267
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:59 pm

by Mike0372983

200 bucks I meant to say...


Peterkarig3210
 
Posts: 1980
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:04 am

by Peterkarig3210

The thing is is that the best ground cover like hair grass, micro-sword, baby tears, require a LOT of light.

Amazon sword requires a medium amount of light, and anubias, java moss and fern, require a relatively low amount of light.

I like having some gravel to contrast with the plants so I've done well without the above mentioned ground cover. I used anubias nana for the first level of plants and this grows leaves as small as a dime and stays pretty low.

planted tank

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