Interested in setting up my first planted

D

dcrowley

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May 5, 2008
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Hello all,

I am a newcomer to the forums, but have had both freshwater and saltwater tanks for about a dozen years. (Well recently just moved to straight freshwater).

Anway, I was interested in setting up a planted aquarium. I currently have 3 tanks, a 10g, a 55g and a 72g. None of them are planted. I have never had a planted tank. I have been reading up on planted tanks on these forums and many others out there. It seems like a very daunting task, but I think I would like to tackle it. But I want to make sure I do it right.

I am hoping that I can get some great advice on starting out a new planted tank. My first hope is to pick one of the tanks for converting to a planted tank. I was thinking the 55g one since it currently is the tank that is first seen when entering my home and the most visible.

I am looking at purchasing two 24" coralife aqualight 65W lights for my tank w/ 6700K light bulb. I presume that this would mean I have 130w total and that would be 2.3wpg. I am interesting in purcashing some kind of plant package that is more geared towards the new person. You know the hard to kill kind. I am curious on peoples ideas for co2. I wasn't sure if that stuff in the bottle was a legitimate option or not.

Anyway, I will be going more through the forums and reading up on things. Wish me luck on my latest endeavor in this hobby. :)
 
Well, I've made every mistake in the book when it comes to planted tanks. I've determined that planted tanks need:

1. Light
2. CO2
3. Ferts
4. Patience

Number four is the hardest for me. It sounds to me like you've got the light covered, but I'm no expert on lights by any stretch of the imagination. For a tank as big as a 55g, I'd recommend pressurized CO2 just ignore the instructions and use the stinking needle valve. That was my mistake. Ferts are very inexpensive ($20-30 should get you a yrs supply) and I've found are a must. I've made just about every mistake you can make in a planted tank. I'm still working out the kinks but that's my two cents. Sometimes advice is worth what you pay for it though. :)
 
I have that wpg over my 55 and you will be able to use most plants though the reds will come out on the top half better.

I use jello CO2 coming from 2 2 liter bottles straight into my magnum filter (use a powerhead though instead, impellers are cheaper).

Buy dry ferts, I use the PMDD from http://www.aquariumfertilizers.com which works pretty well.

Most lawns and carpets can be time consuming and must be maintained to prevent them getting scraggly and staying compact.

PLANT HEAVY RIGHT AWAY, its the easy way (of course more expensive) use lots of cheap plants if necessary (anacharis) and replace them from the center out to control costs. If you don't it'll be a fun several months as the tank rebalances repeatedly (algae, filter bacteria culture, nitrogen cycle). Vigorously growing plants in a lightly stocked tank can strip out all nitrogen relatively rapidly and stunt the filter culture but then something happens and algae manages to festoon a large plant or two and you can start a mini-cycle, so plant heavy (no open substrate)

That was my experience for what its worth, after the tank balances its a matter of keeping the nitrates at 5ppm, the CO2 going and trimming.
 
Hmmm, light is good. As far as CO2, yeah, pressurized is the way to go. Ferts wouldn't be needed until you started showing problems (deformed leaves, yellow leaves ect ect ect) or zero nitrates.

As far as easy plants.
Java Ferns
Hornwort
Java Moss
Vals
Hygrophila Difformis (water wysteria)
anacharis
anubias
swords
Water Sprite
Guppy Grass
crypts (these can be tricky, but easy as well)

Just to name a few
 
dcrowley:

I can relate to you how I first "broke in" to a planted tank but please note that this is a continual learning experience.

I began with:
  • [1] a 2" laterite substrate which was overlaid and underlaid by gravel (I do not know that the laterite was necessary in the beginning but it seems to have helped);
  • [2] 2.6W/G with three 10000K bulbs and one 7100K bulb;

  • [4] and Seachem Flourish and Seachem Flourish Excel

I had a very nice planted tank as shown in the following photograph but this was before I purchased some Silver Dollars.

If you "get the bug" as I have more intense lighting, dry ferts and CO2 will come along.

TR

Sm_Aq_Pic.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice on planting more rather than less. I would have figured less is better in the beginning to acclimate the tank, but that is "fish-only" thinking on my part.

I looked at all the pictures of the plants that people have listed here and also went to a couple sites on the net. I definitely like the look of the plants.

Somebody though needs to make a software application that lets you virtually plant an aquarium, plug in all your data like plants used, pH, CO2, etc, and virtually see what it would look like after it settles in. :)

I went to a local fish store though and was looking at the prices they were charging for plants. They came in these plastic tubes with that gel stuff in the bottom. But they were a lot higher than I could find online. If I purchase online, is that was plants are normally shipped in? Or how are plants shipped. I saw a couple of package deals here from some users and was considering that.

With that in mind, is there anyone that sells a 55 gallon tank starter setup with enough plants to cover the substrate, but that sell hardier plants that will survive the first time user for a reasonable cost? If not here, does anyone have experience with any of the web sellers out there that can recommend someone?
 
Hi dcrowley, Welcome! I'm new to the site too, but I can offer you a few good tips.
It sounds like you've already done a lot of research which is going to give you a positive edge in being successful your first try.
Most people start planning their planted tank by looking at lighting-type,quantity,size. While lighting is important because it's the driving force behind a planted tank. I think that it should be the last item to consider in the planning process.
Start with the substrate, filtration, heating or cooling, source water, available nutrients, hard-scape, plants, nutrients needed, and then lighting. If we're successful right out of the gate. It makes the hobby much more enjoyable and gives us more time to share and teach other hobbyists.

I would also recommend staying away from those plants in the little tubes at your LFS.
90% of the time they're not really aquatic or submersible plants. There are quite a few good people around here and other sites that can supply you with a nice package suitable for your tank. Including myself.
 
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