help on plants?

[mtdewlover]

I got my 55 gallon tank, and now am thinking about making it a planted tank. Again I have african cichlids. First off is this a bad idea to have a planted cichlid tank?

Next, I don't know all too much about plants. I know I have to get co2, lots of light, plant substrate, a bubble counter, and a regulator. Anything else I'm missing here? I'm getting a canister filter.

Also, should I add nutrients? If so what kind, how much, and how often. Should I start right away or wait awhile to add nutrients based on my plants need. I'm confused! Also, will I need some sort of fish to clean algae? Any suggestions, sites to visit. Anything would be great!

Thanks

 

[djlen]

If you keep cichlids you probably know that many of them are diggers and very disruptive to the substrate. Also, many of them eat and uproot plants. In short, many of them are not going to work well for you in a planted tank. Some of the smaller varieties like Kribensis and Rams will do fine, but there a also many small ones that play havoc with plants. And most of the larger ones.........forget it.
I say this to help you make a choice as to which direction you want to go in before investing in a CO2 system and a bunch of plants only to be disappointed with a lack of success due to incompatibilities of fish to plants.
I would research the situation before making an investment in time and money.
Here is a link for a great site that deals quite well with planted tanks. In fact there is an article on it that tells how to set one up:
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/articles.htm

And another for taking care of plants and some descriptions:
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/may/aquatic/default.asp

For nutrient information check the sticky on the top of the Plants forum.

Again though, I would check on your fish's adaptability to a planted tank before anything else.

Len