nutrients in substrate question

gman52 said:

how long would it take for the plants to use up all the nutrients in the gravel, and would you have to replace it. what would be a good substrate for mid to low light plants like java fern or some type of anubias

im getting a 20 gallon next week, and want mid to low light plants. how many WPG would i need.

any suggestions for a mid to low light 20 gallon tank. i definitely am getting some java fern, but i need some other plants that would look nice in a 20.

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You don't need to really worry about nutrients being used up by the gravel, wheter you do a high light or low light set-up. You will get benefits from nutrient rich gravel though. Seachem Flourite is an excellent gravel for planted tank. You can mix it with other plain gravel, but using 100% of it is much better, and looks better overal imo.

Now, if you plan on growing plants like java fern and anubias, you wont need much light. Id say anywhere between 1.5-2 watts per gallon would be enough. These are low light plants, or should i say low light survivers.

Personally, id try for atleast 2 watts per gallon which would put you in the "medium" light category, and allow a wider variety of plants to be purchased and used in your set-up. As for other low - medium light plants.....

Java moss (grows like grass on rock or gravel)
Cryptocoryne balansae
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Marimo balls (moss balls)
Amazon swords
Water sprite
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'
Vallisneria americana
Egeria densa

And so many more. Heres a link, where it tells you light need for almost every plant..........

http://www.tropica.dk/plant_print.asp

gman52 said:

thankyou for the info

also would i need co2 for these plants

and do i need fertilizers, and if i do, what kind should i use and how often

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You never need C02, it's more a want at 2 watts per gallon. I just recently went into C02 and 3.5+ watts per gallon of lighting, and ive noticed a few things..............

1. Much better (faster) plant growth (sometimes insane)
2. Much healtheir plant growth (more green or red)
3. Daily fertilizing requred (more work)
4. Weekly removal of plants (again, more work)

C02 Isn't really required though unless you get into the 2.5+ watts per gallon of lighting. I mean, you could do DIY at 2 watts per gallon, and see improvements, but it's not really nessessary.

As for fertilzing. It all depends, but most likey at that much lighting, you won't have to. Now i would reccomend you add something like Flourish (which is made of both Macros and Micros or all the nutruients needed by plants), weekly or twice weekly depending on plant usage and behaviour. Id start with once weekly and see how thing go. Other then that, with the plants you plan on growing, you really don't need to worry to much about fertilizing heavily or even adding extra such as thing like Iron. You should get everything from Flourish. The only thing i might add is Nitrates (Flourish Nitrates), to keep them at around 5 ppm. Youl have to check your water weekly to see if your getting enough. Now the reason i say add nitrates, is to avoid a horid thing called BBA (Black Beard Algae). It's nastly, and tuff to get rid of. By keep the plants well fed, and algae starved you can avoid certain nasty algies. Anyways, i hope i havent confused you.

By the way, ive posted some pics of my tank if you scroll down to the "Need opinions on my tank... (pics included)" thread. I just got into fish tanks 6 moths ago, and have learnt a lot since, and have improved my tank considerably. :

gman52 said:

where do u buy aquatic plants. one of the two best lfs in my area didn't have a good selection, going to the other one of the weekend, but if they don't have a good selection either where do i go, a store like lowes? internet is not an option for me for buying plants

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Well i live in Bramton, just outside TO, and have about 4-5 different stores i can goto. Where do you live?

BTW, if one uses a nutrient rich gravel, how often would one have to replace it?

All of it once a year, or 10% every month?

Or never?

Thanks

gman52 said:

what are the chances of me getting BBA without adding nitrates? where do u buy nitrates? if i didn't get plants is there a possibility of me still getting BBA or does having plants reduce my chances of getting it

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If you avoid overfeeding and over fertilizing, you should be ok. Regular (weekly) water changes are also important. The Nitrates would be beneficial to your plants though as well. Like i said, aim for 5-10 ppm via a test kit. As for Nitrates. "Seachem Nitrates" should be fine. Just follow the directions at first, then measure for a few weeks to see where it's staying. Youl figure out how much to put in time. Avoid over fertilizing though as it can cause major algae problems.