questions

[PwnedNoobs]

i was thinking of making a small tank to make it the size i want to look like thesehttp://www.aquahobby.com/tanks/e_tank0209.php but mini size maybe 5-10 gallons. keep in mind it would be my first planted tank but those seem like they are just alot of java moss and some wood. what would it take to get a tank crystal clear like that and so green? how do u do the CO2? do you need to vac planted tanks?

[MySpace Mike]

I suggest frequent water changes, 25-40% weekly changes. Good liquid plant food you just pour a bit into the tank. Sufficient lighting for the plants to get uva/uvb light for sufficient growth. Good filtration to limit any bad nitrate or nitrite.

[gingerinaustin]

I've never had a planted tank but I've been doing a lot of reading about them because I'm thinking of converting my 55 gallon to a planted tank. The plant in the back of the aquarium you linked is rotala indica and needs bright light to flourish like that. There are other low light plants you could use but you might not get that two-toned effect. The anubias and java moss would grow in most tanks without CO2. Lighting will be important to get that healthy green color. Inadequate light and no CO2 results in pale, spindly, slow-growing or dying plants. But too much light with no CO2 promotes algae growth. Instead of CO2, you could use a liquid product like SeaChem Excel which contains carbon. I can't give you specifics because I'm still researching them myself! There are a lot of good websites on this topic: thekrib.com/plants, the websites of Tom Barr, Rex Grigg, Chuck Gadd, etc. etc. etc.--keep reading! Seems most people with planted tanks vacuum very lightly or not at all. Clear water is generally a result of keeping up with your water changes, not overfeeding your fish and keeping your filters clean. Good luck!

[PwnedNoobs]

http://www.aquahobby.com/tanks/e_tank0412a.php i thought these were probobly the coolest looking tanks ive ever seen. i think it would be cool to miniaturize something like that. prolly put some small tetras and shrimps and it would be awseome. i just should read up on planted takes, and take a trip to talk to those japanese lol jk:headbang2:

[Star_Rider]

planted tanks are a balance of plants,light,co2 and food for the plants.

how much light were you planning? you may not need CO2.and can grow a variety of plants.
getting light in the proper spectrum is important.
however, the wpg rules are tossed in small tanks and large tanks.


some plants like java moss, jave fern, anubias,some species of cryptocoryne don't require a bunch of light..1-2 wpg is fine with these

[J double R]

it's going to take a LOT more than just some 'liquid fertilizer' and uva/uvb lights to get a tank looking like that.. youre gonna need some serious fertilizers, specific dosings, as well as a specific wpg depending on the plant types, and co2 will also be a must.

[jm1212]

get 6 neons for the stock

go with at least a ten gallon for the stock. it will give the fish and the plants plenty of room