i would like to maintain a planted aquarium, my first question is what type of substrate should i use, and should i replace my existing mix of gravel and sand( its the small natural gravel with some beach sand)??are the any place where someone in hawaii can buy plants, if so or not what kind should i buy?
Hezi's new tank
- Thread starter HEZI
- Start date
Most folks recommend either Eco Complete or Flourite. Basically you want a substrate with minerals and buffering capacity (porous). Rinse them well. Probably will want to replace all your substrate since it won't match otherwise, can end up looking a little wonky. That part is personal preference.
As to plants unless you invest in high power lighting and possibly CO2, you'll probably want to stick with typical low light plants.
As to plants unless you invest in high power lighting and possibly CO2, you'll probably want to stick with typical low light plants.
for the substrate you can keep the stuff you have. as Zebulon has notid there are other substrates made for planted tanks. but thay are not need aslong as you have some type of firtz in the tank. if the existing substrate has been used for along time then if probably hass all sorts of fishy goodness.
for places to buy plant in hawaii i have no clue but i imagine thay are around. the problem i see with inporting them from other places is that i think hawaii has some different customs issues with importing plants and animals.
also it would help if we new what size tank this would be for, what filtration, lighting and inhabitants.
for places to buy plant in hawaii i have no clue but i imagine thay are around. the problem i see with inporting them from other places is that i think hawaii has some different customs issues with importing plants and animals.
also it would help if we new what size tank this would be for, what filtration, lighting and inhabitants.
I don't recommend using beach sand for FW planted tanks. Too much calcium which could screw up your water parameters. If you just want to get the hang of things then plane aquarium gravel is fine to use. Use the smallest sized gravel though.
There is a pet store across Kahala Mall that has a great selection for plants. In fact there is what looks like about a 100G show tank with CO2 and all in the back. The guy just re-landscaped it and it looked great. I can only imagine what it will look like once everything grows in. Check it out if you are on Oahu...
There is a pet store across Kahala Mall that has a great selection for plants. In fact there is what looks like about a 100G show tank with CO2 and all in the back. The guy just re-landscaped it and it looked great. I can only imagine what it will look like once everything grows in. Check it out if you are on Oahu...
I would say that provided your chemistry is in and around 7.0 that you can use what you have and stick to low light plants. Good starter plants being java fern and java moss, hygro(might be illegal there). You can create a really nice scape with just these and some driftwood.
Aloha Hezi! The lfs by Kahala Mall is a Petland, and it has the largest supply of java fern around. But Pets Plus on Ward has lots of varieties of anubias, if you're looking for more low-light options. My personal favorite lfs is Coral Fish in Aiea. Great store, with healthy fish, and usually a good selection of plants.
(And I don't mean to hijack this thread, but with all the island talk here, I want to get the word out about my clown loaches who will one day need new homes here on Oahu. The whole situation is documented on the thread "Seeking clown loach owners in Honolulu" at http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155141.)
(And I don't mean to hijack this thread, but with all the island talk here, I want to get the word out about my clown loaches who will one day need new homes here on Oahu. The whole situation is documented on the thread "Seeking clown loach owners in Honolulu" at http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155141.)