Newbie overwelmed and lost

[loren420]

I will start with some quick info on my current setup....I have a 65 gallon freshwater tank, mostly for plants...i do have 6 rainbow fish and 3 algae eating fish in the tank....I have 10 gallon co2 tank with regulator, and diffusor...lighting is coralife 2x96 watt with two 6700k coralife lights...the tank is 36 wide so its a bit taller.....

So far my plants dont seem real happy, I am trying to increase my knowledge as fast as possible...I have most of the important test kits....gh, kh, ph, nh...i guess what i really need is a chart of what my chemical levels should be in an ideal situation...I am sure there is lots of post's about this but despite my many searches im not having much luck....

Would love some links to basic chemical charts, and perhaps some book recommendations to read...im mostly interested in aquatic plants as apposed to fish...

any help or links would be great...

[nickmcmechan]

what ferts are you using?

[Pallen81]

You may find it helpful reading this FAQ:
http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-qa.html

[geofied]

I will start with some quick info on my current setup....I have a 65 gallon freshwater tank, mostly for plants...i do have 6 rainbow fish and 3 algae eating fish in the tank....I have 10 gallon co2 tank with regulator, and diffusor...lighting is coralife 2x96 watt with two 6700k coralife lights...the tank is 36 wide so its a bit taller.....

So far my plants dont seem real happy, I am trying to increase my knowledge as fast as possible...I have most of the important test kits....gh, kh, ph, nh...i guess what i really need is a chart of what my chemical levels should be in an ideal situation...I am sure there is lots of post's about this but despite my many searches im not having much luck....

Would love some links to basic chemical charts, and perhaps some book recommendations to read...im mostly interested in aquatic plants as apposed to fish...

any help or links would be great...

First off, is your tank stable? Don't go throwing additional chemicals into the equation unless you really know what you are doing. If your tank is stable, you can make a simple list of the variables that are most important and determine which thing (or things) could be limiting your plants' growth and health. The FAQ Pallen81 listed is a great place to start rounding out your understanding of things.

What is wrong with the plants?

[Star_Rider]

if the plants are recently introduced to the tank..you can expect some issues as the plants acclimate to the new tank. some plants look like they are dead with only a few leaves..then start growing

[mudskippers]

also, dont forget that you dont want you filter supplying too much oxygen into the water, this will have a serious impact with your plant growth. ;)

[Star_Rider]

WHAT?!?!?
oh I get it;) yer kiddin:lol:

[geofied]

also, dont forget that you dont want you filter supplying too much oxygen into the water, this will have a serious impact with your plant growth. ;)

Well with a 10 gallon CO2 cannister you can't pump in enough oxygen to keep the fish alive :evil_lol:.

Joking aside, I don't think surface agitation is a big concern at this point. Might be a factor, but it's not releasing all the CO2.

[yourchoice]

I will start with some quick info on my current setup....I have a 65 gallon freshwater tank, mostly for plants...i do have 6 rainbow fish and 3 algae eating fish in the tank....I have 10 gallon co2 tank with regulator, and diffusor...lighting is coralife 2x96 watt with two 6700k coralife lights...the tank is 36 wide so its a bit taller.....

So far my plants dont seem real happy, I am trying to increase my knowledge as fast as possible...I have most of the important test kits....gh, kh, ph, nh...i guess what i really need is a chart of what my chemical levels should be in an ideal situation...I am sure there is lots of post's about this but despite my many searches im not having much luck....

Would love some links to basic chemical charts, and perhaps some book recommendations to read...im mostly interested in aquatic plants as apposed to fish...

any help or links would be great...
This is too confusing.Read the link then post what`s in each tank separately.
What type of substrate?Lighting?Are the tanks cycled?ph-kh-nitrates?

[plantbrain]

Try theKrib.com and see Dan Resler's article on a 10 or 20 gallon plant tank.
That's a good newbie article.

Regards,
Tom Barr