attempting variation in plant setup

[vygec]

Ive had my tank running for around 2 months now. Hence, i am still stocking, and will be probably be another two months before i am where i would like to be. Anyway, my plants are growing, but not looking especially good. I bought the reflector kit, hoping that would do it. It has produced more light, but still the results arent what i thought they would be.
So i am now looking into co2. Dont like the DIY route, and dont wanna be messing around with cylinders. The carbo plus, looks very appealing to me, have read into it, and might be the thing for me (plug it in, and let it do its thing!).
Before diving in, are their any other items i will need to 'buy'?. i.e any extra test kits or any other items. Currently i have test kits for KH GH, ammonia,nitrate,nitrite, PH.
My current lights, will they be ok to stay?
Its just since ive bought my tank (my first i might add), ive spent way much more than i had planned, ok..it looks nice..but my pockets taking a battering, so before i spend more on a co2 setup etc..just tryin to weigh up costs etc..
my substrate, is called 'Volcanic Glass', and when sold to me at lfs, i was informed that if i wanted to add co2 in the future..into the equation, this would be fine. My tank is 180ltrs.
Thx guys.

[Cearbhaill]

Are you feeding plant food?

I use the Flourish line (with no CO2) and see really excellent results with many of the same species you list.

[vygec]

yep, i use a dossage of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Cearbhaill: are you referring to your 90g planted?, coz ive just seen your pictures in your sig. They look fantastic, all this without co2?!. The fertilizer i use works out way too expenive (around £7 for a small bottle, which wont last very long).

[Cearbhaill]

Cearbhaill: are you referring to your 90g planted?, coz ive just seen your pictures in your sig. They look fantastic, all this without co2?!.
No CO2.
I'm CO2 phobic :eek:

I do dose daily though, with Flourish Ecxel and Potassium. Couple of times a week I add some plain Flourish, Iron, and some Flourish Trace.
I buy the really humongous sizes from Big Al's and it doesn't seem that expensive.

[beviking]

vygec, have you checked the plants forum? They have recommendations for DIY fertilizers that are cheap. Stuff you buy at the pharmacy or feed shop that you can use for your aquaria.
Try this...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=12585

[Captain Hook]

Yes you can make or find fertilizers for quite cheap. I'm also wondering about your "volcanic glass" bottom and how well it will work for plants.

Also, make sure your anubias and java fern are not buried deeply in the bottom or they will rot. Their is a rhizome at the bottom, before the roots, and that should not be buried.

[vygec]

thx for the replies guys.

Captain: My LFS, recommended the 'volcanic glass'. I can say with confidence, the guy i spoke to..i know him personally. He knows what he's talking about, and sets up many planted tanks as a profession. So dont have many doubts there, i will need to double check the plants i.e how deep they are planted.. and will gt back to you.