If I want to add plants to an established tank, but I don't want to tear tank down, can I just put plants in with the gravel I have? My gravel is the smaller stuff ( about 1/16th - 1/8th inch ) and it is about 1 1/2 inch thick in the front and slopes to about 3 inches or so in back. An aquarium store I trust told me the plants should do fine in just the gravel I have. I have 4 watts per gallon of light. Any advice on getting going would be nice, such as fertalizer, ect. Thanks!
Adding live plants to established tank
- Thread starter thebach
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As for advice to get going, including fertilization advice, check out the sticky threads at the top of this forum. You can learn metric boatloads of information from those threads alone. Your gravel can grow plants just fine. Many plants pull nutrients right from the water column. Also, if you've never been there, check out www.plantgeek.net and in particular, their Plant Guide. They have some good info on specific plants as far as lighting, how demanding they are, etc. Best of luck, and if you have questions about anything, just post. There are some truly smart (wise? experienced?) people around this forum.
The fertilizer and additives really depend on the plants you have. Most poeple have swords which need lots of iron to do well.
It might be worth trying some of the DIY fertilzers also. The ones from the store can be a lot.
It might be worth trying some of the DIY fertilzers also. The ones from the store can be a lot.
Did you check out the fertilization sticky at the top of this forum yet? It tells you all about fertilzers. I Dose Flourish and Flourish Excel according to the directions.
What size is your tank? What fish?
If you have an established tank that has been running @ 4watts/gal. without plants and without algae issues, I suggest planting and letting them establish themselves.
This can only help the environment of the tank, based on the information you've furnished so far.
The plants will do fine for at least 4 weeks or more depending on nutrients present in the tank and supplied by the fish and fish food you supply.
A lot more people run into problems from over-fertilization, than under-fertilization.
Answers to the two questions would help us understand how to better advise you.
Len
If you have an established tank that has been running @ 4watts/gal. without plants and without algae issues, I suggest planting and letting them establish themselves.
This can only help the environment of the tank, based on the information you've furnished so far.
The plants will do fine for at least 4 weeks or more depending on nutrients present in the tank and supplied by the fish and fish food you supply.
A lot more people run into problems from over-fertilization, than under-fertilization.
Answers to the two questions would help us understand how to better advise you.
Len
To echo djlen, when I saw your wpg I was thinking the same thing. You NEED plants, or an army of algae eaters to keep your tank clean. Plants will help filter your tank as well, making it nicer for your fish. So I recomend you dabble in planted aquariums sooner than later.
But please let us know what fish you have. Some species of fish eat up plants.
I planted a couple established tanks. It wasn't much trouble at all-- and I had to change out the gravel. Fish are pretty easy going about adding/moving plants. Read up a little to find out what plants you want, and start planting.
But please let us know what fish you have. Some species of fish eat up plants.
I planted a couple established tanks. It wasn't much trouble at all-- and I had to change out the gravel. Fish are pretty easy going about adding/moving plants. Read up a little to find out what plants you want, and start planting.
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