Going for the plants.

M

Master3z

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Nov 18, 2010
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I am bored in seeing only fish and rocks in my aquarium and want to make my tank more lively so i am hoping to switch to a planted tank.
I have a 100 gallon tank.
I have two 30 watts fluorescent full spectrum bulb.
Iv put substrate under gravel

I cant afford co2 pump, is it a must to put CO2 in the tank for the plant to grow well?
What else do i need?
 
CO2 is necessary for photosynthesis. From what I understand, making your own CO2 system is fairly easy and cheap.
 
You don't have to have a CO2 pump as long as you have near 100% stocking levels because the fish will produce enough C02 for the plants themselves.

Besides that, I don't know what else you need. Maybe someone else will answer...
 
i'd be hesitant to spend a bunch of money on plants and find that your fish will tear them up/eat them. as i mentioned in your other thread about algae, your silver dollars and your tinfoils are likely to wreak havoc on plants.
 
BettaFishMommy said:
i'd be hesitant to spend a bunch of money on plants and find that your fish will tear them up/eat them. as i mentioned in your other thread about algae, your silver dollars and your tinfoils are likely to wreak havoc on plants.
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Yes bettafishmommy i had some plants before and my silver dollar ate them lol,they even eat lettuce xD..
I am moving my silver dollar + koi somwhere else next week and will then put plants in the aquarium
 
sounds like a good plan.

i'd go with low light plants, since your lighting is less than 1 watt per gallon. anubias, vals, amazon swords, crypts would all do well. i'm running only 40 watts of t8 lighting over my planted 55 and have all those plants i mentioned and they do very well. you may even want to upgrade your lighting by adding one more bulb, to make a total of 90 watts.

for fertilizers, i would recommend Flourish (by SeaChem). it takes the guesswork out of dosing when you are new to a planted tank and it works well. i use it myself about once or twice a week for my plants.
 
courtneypie said:
CO2 is necessary for photosynthesis. From what I understand, making your own CO2 system is fairly easy and cheap.
Click to expand...


DYI Co2 isn't really an option for a 100 gallon tank honestly.

Master you can go with low demanding plants.
Anubias
Java Ferns
WaterSprites
Vals
some crypts

I would however recommend pulling the gravel out and replacing with playsand. Some gravel is ok (to weight down the plants) but you need more of a sand Substrate.
 
Master3z said:
Do you have artificial co2 emission pump ?
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nope. i've never run CO2 in my 55. plants get their light, fish poop, water changes, high oxygen environment (2 hobs - AC 110 and biowheel 350), and dose Flourish about once a week (or when i remember, lol). that's it. plain and simple.

my substrate is a mix of small pea gravel and coarse sand. the plants love it! when i did a rescape i found my crypts had run roots to rival NYC's subway system, lol.
 
More light for sure.And,I would recommend Co2 if you can do it.Research some images of tanks with Co2 and without and you will see the difference for yourself.Good luck...
 
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