Plant Newbie

ChakaRaka

ChakaRaka

AC Members
Dec 26, 2009
18
0
0
Alberta, Canada
Hi Everyone,

I have been patiently cycling my tanks for the last month and today I decided I had had enough of the fake plants, and that it was time for both driftwood and some living inhabitants (before the fish). There was a sale at a very reputable LFS, so I took some before pictures, got in the car and resigned myself to buying some new plants.

I ended up getting 2x 4 different plants to get our two tanks (10g & 6g) started, then go from there if additionally filling out is required. We ended up with some variety of potted Anubias (2), some type of bunch Cryptocoryne (2), some sort of bunch Vallisneria (2) and some strain of bunch Java Fern (2) which I plan to attach to a piece of driftwood in each tank.

Now seeing as I am still cycling, my temperature was a little high, so I dropped it down. Lighting is what it is (2 CFL 15w 50/50's in the 10g and 12" Small Full Spectrum flourescent tube in the 6g). Now I know my lighting will limit things and that can be pursued as necessary in the future. What I really need to know is any other critical advice. Planting tips, trimming and other maintenance. Now I am not new to plants, just aquatic ones, so I know the fundamentals. I just need to know the unique secrets to aquatic success. I am using regular colored gravel as a substrate and did purchase some Seachem Flourish in to assist until I have fish making natural ferts (or if I required it despite the real bio ferts). Could anyone offer some pointers so I don't do anything wrong here? The plants are clean and from the best local source (so I am not worried about nasties or snails etc). Right now they are in a bucket of tank water while I remove my fake stuff, plan out layout and wait for the tanks to cool a bit. I will replenish with cooler water when I get them all organized so temp should work itself out. Any other pointers?

Thanks for your assistance,

ChakaRaka.
:help2:
 
The plants need some sort of nutrients from the substrate. You can either attempt to get some soil down there, or get some nutrient balls and place them under the substrate near the roots. The roots need nutrients. As far as planting, just make sure the roots are well covered with substrate and pointing downward. You have low light plants, so they will survive in the low light you have. Do not expect much growth however. You must be doing a fishless cycle, but try to get some fish in there so they poop and feed the plants. Little fish tanks can be a pain sometimes for planted tanks because if you do everything right, you will have to trim quite a bit. But like I said, you shouldnt have much growth until you get more lighting.
 
Well here are the pics:


6 Gallon - Before: (Filter for 3rd tank hanging from thread. Was initially hoping to bio it up while cycling this tank.)




6 Gallon - During (Bare):
6Gallon-Empty.jpg




6 Gallon - After:
6Gallon-After.jpg







10 Gallon - Before:
10Gallon-Before.jpg




10 Gallon - During (Bare):
10Gallon-Empty.jpg




10 Gallon - After:
10Gallon-After.jpg



I still have driftwood to add (which the Java Fern will be attached to). And hopefully the plants all thrive and I can post some even better updated pics when the plants are fuller and the driftwood is in place. Hope this looks as good as I hope it will. Now I've got a 2-1/2 gallon pail full of fake plants and decorations....maybe for the 3rd tank.

ChakaRaka.
 
mes1234 said:
The plants need some sort of nutrients from the substrate. You can either attempt to get some soil down there, or get some nutrient balls and place them under the substrate near the roots. The roots need nutrients. As far as planting, just make sure the roots are well covered with substrate and pointing downward. You have low light plants, so they will survive in the low light you have. Do not expect much growth however. You must be doing a fishless cycle, but try to get some fish in there so they poop and feed the plants. Little fish tanks can be a pain sometimes for planted tanks because if you do everything right, you will have to trim quite a bit. But like I said, you shouldnt have much growth until you get more lighting.
Click to expand...


Yeah Mes1234, I will get fish in as soon as the cycle is complete. Hopefully very soon. Maybe the plants will even help that along a bit. In the meantime I am adding a minute amount of Seachem Flourish to the water that I am replenishing with. Lighting may be upgraded in the 10g, but I don't think we will ever change the 6g seeing as it is an Eclipse system and there just isn't any more room under the hood for mods. Thanks for the tips.

ChakaRaka.
 
It's looks great! :) I don't see you doing much pruning with the current plant list (maybe the Vals if they get too tall) but your anubias, crypts, and java ferns are slower growing plants so pruning won't be a huge concern. I would however, maybe after planting, add root tabs/fertilizer tabs to help supplement feedings for the crypts and vals as they are heavy feeders. :) Other than that, great job!!! Looking very nice.

For now, just get the plants settled in. Eventually, you will develop a personal taste for how you want everything to look and will move plants around to your liking. Good luck! ;)
 
i'd say pack all those plants in one tank. they'll likely do better that way till you need a massive trim. then start stocking the other tank.

dry ferts...
riiz's root tab recipe...
maybe some florin axis since jungle vals are supposed to be sensitive to excel.
 
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