New planted in progress

B

bghall

AC Members
Feb 1, 2010
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I am starting a 20 gallon off of media and gravel from a well established 40 gallon. Freshwater danios, tetras and SAE's. I need to move them over and get the 40 gallon re-sealed after 9+ years in use. My question is this: I would like to do live plants in this one. Not sure I can do a massive plant at first, financially speaking. Can I slowly add live plants after the fish are transferred over or will there be too many changes in water chemistry? If I do go with a massive plant right away, how long before the fish can be moved over? Will it matter that I use the Flora Max without adding plants right away?
Lots of questions, but would like some input as I have not done live plants in the past. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Either way works. I would transfer the fish over to the new tank immediately after setting it up and then keep an eye on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels and perform water changes as needed, I would also add at least some live plants from the start as they will help cope with the fish waste.

When you get live plants make sure they are fully aquatic, many of the plants on the shelves in tubes in chain stores that are sold as aquatic plants are only semi aquatic and will die after a few months submerged.
 
I don't see a need to wait after planting to add fish, unless you go with a plant substrate that will leech ammonia (ADA Aquasoil). You could grab something like wisteria, water sprite, najas grass and/or anacharis and put it in your 20g (floating is fine) until the 40g is ready to go. These are all easy, nutrient loving plants that your fish will appreciate. Jspigs brings up an excellent point re: non-aquatic plants.

Is Flora Max a liquid fert or substrate? Sorry, not familiar with that name. It's fine to start out with a couple plants and go from there. Cryptocoryne wendtii is a great easy plant that I highly recommend (sometimes it doesn't appreciate moving, and some leaves may die/melt. These will be quickly replaced by new growth).
 
thanks for the advice. Flora Max is a substrate, made by CaribSea, similar to Flourite. It was what the local Petco had in stock. I plan to lay it down and then put a small layer of gravel over it. Where is the best place to get plants? LFS doesn't have great looking selection. I live near Dallas.
 
Have you checked the classifieds here? Large variety to choose from! And best part is you're centrally located for easy shipping!
 
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