Getting started with plants

[ArkyLady]

I'll be setting up a 55gal tank soon that I want to be a moderately planted tank. My main concern is my water parameters. Out of the tap it has a PH of 6.8 and a KH of less than 1. I've experimented with adding crushed coral to my filter with decent results. My KH is normally around 2.5 now and PH still around 7.0 and it doesn't seem to fluctuate much during water changes. I'm not sure what kind of affect adding CO2 to this will have?

I've read a TON of information about this, but some of it just seems to go over my head when it comes to all this water chemistry. I waited until I could start from scratch to try a planted tank so I could do it right the first time, so any advice or pointers to setup information you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Seems most people recommend Flourite at least 50/50 with sand/gravel (or 100% Flourite some say). I wonder if I should try adding a pound or so of crushed coral in with my Flourite/Sand mixture to help boost my KH? Keeping a nylon of it in my filter proves to be a slimy mess after awhile that I'd rather avoid if possible. Or maybe Onyx Sand is the answer?

Should I invest in a more expensive pressurized CO2 system so that it will be more consistent since I have water chemistry issues to start out with? Or will I be fine using the couple of coke bottles and an air stone method?

I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions before this project is complete, but that was my main concern for now that I didn't seem to be able to read and understand how it would all fit together. Thanks!

 

[djlen]

Out of the tap it has a pH of 6.8 and a kH of less than 1.......my kH is normally around 2.5 now and pH still around 7.0

I'm confused. What is your kH and pH?
Either way it is low and crushed coral in the filter will help that over time. It doesn't change overnight. The coral can be taken out an washed under the tap and immediately replaced if it gets slimy.
You have to decide how much light you want to put over the tank to know if you'll even need CO2. If you intend a low light tank and don't want to get high tech you can do without it. Many people grow plants without CO2. They don't grow as fast, but there are many beautiful aquariums without CO2.
Len

 

[ArkyLady]

Originally posted by ArkyLady
Out of the tap it has a PH of 6.8 and a KH of less than 1. I've experimented with adding crushed coral to my filter with decent results. My KH is normally around 2.5 now and PH still around 7.0 and it doesn't seem to fluctuate much during water changes.

After adding the crushed coral, it has raised my KH/PH a bit.

 

[djlen]

Okay, now I understand where you were coming from....forgive me, I'm older than dirt.
I would keep using the coral even if it tends to get a bit yucky from time to time. It will enable you to eventually use CO2.
I have a 55 gal. "low light" tank set up now with pressurized, but I used DIY for quite a while to get the feel of it and also because I wanted to make sure it would work. My lighting is a shop light with 2 - 40 watt tube which give me 80 watts over a 55 gal. tank or about a watt and a half/gal. I'm growing Amazon swords, anubias, cryptocornes, java ferns, rotalas, Apon. crispus etc. very successfully with a minimum of light.
I have 100% Flourite in this one, but am going to set another up soon with 50/50 Flourite and small grain substrate.
If you have any "technical" questions don't be afraid to ask. One of us will be glad to bend your ear in response.
Len

 

[nvision]

ArkyLady, like learning other things, i think you would feel a lot more comfortable once you really start to work with the setup. there's nothing really deterring you from performing the preliminary stages, such as adding your preferred substrate and inducing co2 in the water. throw some cheap weed plants such as hornwart in there and run the tank for a few days and monitor the water parameters, adding buffers when necessary.

this process is fairly simple and safe, and will help you get a super jump start on the learning curve.