Planted tank part deux

[beeZer350]

This was my original set up:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/enriquejcu/DSC00915.jpg

But it pretty much sucked plus some of the plants were non-aquatic. I made some changes and bought some new plants and this is where it stands right now:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/enriquejcu/DSC00929Large.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/enriquejcu/DSC00930Large.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/enriquejcu/DSC00933Large.jpg

3 amazon swords, anubias on the left drift wood, ludwigia behind that, microswords on the left and a lone dwarf sag. This iteration has been set up for 5 days. No fish stock yet, still mid-cycle and waiting for the nitrites to clear up.

My questions are:
Is there anything else I need to be adding to the tank? I have a Fluorite substrate, 1.8WPG @ 10,000K 8-10hrs per day, and dose Flourish twice a week. Should I also dose Flourish Excel? NPK? I don't want to use C02.

Thanks for looking!

[rich311k]

The plants will let you know if you need more ferts or not. i would put a root tab under the swords. pretty tank.

[beeZer350]

Thanks for the input rich. So even with the fluorite substrate I should still supplement the swords with a root tab? I know they need a lot of nutrients but I figured the fluorite would be sufficient.

[rich311k]

Nothing really in the flourite yet. I still use tabs even with my eco and the vals and swords seem to appreciate it.

[beeZer350]

Excellent, thank you sir. Any particular brand preference? I see the DIY but I'm not sure I want to go through all of that right now, plus it would be a few weeks before they dry.

[rich311k]

I use the Seachem ones.

[beeZer350]

I should probably pick up some root tabs tomorrow. Teh Amazon swords are looking a little rough today...I've noticed a few small holes in the leaves (could be from the effing snails that hitchhiked in), and a few leaves are losing their color and appear almost opaque on parts.

I noticed what appear to be plantlets (little stringy root looking things) forming on the ludwigia stems. The micro swords seem to be spreading which is cool too. Should I just leave this stuff go until it matures? I think this tank is far too young to start trimming.

[rich311k]

Sword plant is probably switching from emersed growth to submersed growth. Add the tabs when you can. The luwigia is grow little replicas of it self. When they get bigger you can take them off and plant them. you will have a tank full in no time. Snails will not eat healthy growth so don't worry about them. If you get an overabundance you are feeding to much.

[DNA_Splice]

very nice set up.

i have a question about the tabs.
are they supposed to make ur water cloudy?
i put some tabs in today and my water got murky?
will is just settle down?

thanks

[rich311k]

Should be completely under the gravel. I have never has any issues with them. I have seen threads of other folks reporting that same thing. I would guess they are not completely under the substrate.

[DNA_Splice]

ic ok thanks

[beeZer350]

Sword plant is probably switching from emersed growth to submersed growth. Add the tabs when you can. The luwigia is grow little replicas of it self. When they get bigger you can take them off and plant them. you will have a tank full in no time. Snails will not eat healthy growth so don't worry about them. If you get an overabundance you are feeding to much.
Not only do you take great pics but you're also very helpful. :clap:

I haven't fed anything because the tank is mid-cycle and there isn't any fish stock. The snails are merely feasting on the algae which is feasting on the silicates in the glass since this is a brand new tank...but I do catch the little SOB's hanging out on my plants now and again.

[beeZer350]

Cycle appears to be complete! Fish could be going in tonight depending on water tests.

I'm having a little issue with my ludwigia all of a sudden. I lost a lot of leaves this weekend and some of the stems got mushy and broke. I replanted the good pieces and pruned some of the crappy looking leaves. My nitrates were very high at the time but a water change should have rectified this. Could the high nitrates be the cause?

[seighten]

the flourish excel works for me... just for the record

[beeZer350]

Nitrates still high, everything else reading 0. Did another water change and will test again tonight. Hopefully I can stock it when I get home from work.