also, the nice part about pure laterite, is you don't have to change your gravel, just uproot everything, mix it in, and re-plant.
Is it too late to add plants ?
- Thread starter emmasmom
- Start date
Okay I just got back from the store and I forgot to bring this posting with me !! with all the plants you all recommended. I think now I got the wrong things. I asked them for easy plants and here is what they sold me.
1) Bronze Wendth (crypto wenditti)
2) Water Sprite ( Ceratopleris)
3) Lutea ( Crypto lutea)
4) Ciliata (Crypto ciliats)
They also told me to leave them in the baskets they came in ?? and that I did not need fertilizer until after my tanks was cycled.
I think I got some bad advice and I am kicking myself for not bringing this posting along.
It is okay to try and plant these ?
Thanks,
Sharon
1) Bronze Wendth (crypto wenditti)
2) Water Sprite ( Ceratopleris)
3) Lutea ( Crypto lutea)
4) Ciliata (Crypto ciliats)
They also told me to leave them in the baskets they came in ?? and that I did not need fertilizer until after my tanks was cycled.
I think I got some bad advice and I am kicking myself for not bringing this posting along.
It is okay to try and plant these ?
Thanks,
Sharon
Water sprite will be fine. I don't think you'll have any problems with the crypts either. My list was not meant to be extensive by any means, they were just a few that I rattled off. I will warn you about the crypts, sometimes when they are put in a tank or tank conditions change suddenly they will throw a little tantrum and melt. Don't panic, they will grow back a very large percentage of the time. Given the right proportion of light and fertilizer the water sprite should do fine. Crypts are known as being slow growers but ime once they receive a certain critical mass they can grow fairly rapidly and will attempt to take over the tank. If some fail try something different with all the different plants available you will find a combination that will please you.
As far as fertilizer, my experience has been that you will probably need it in the not very far future. Once plants get growing they can be pigs. In some of my tanks I've found one nutrient will bottom out and another is there in excess. Then when you start fertilizing the low one, the other will dissappear. Don't worry about the stuff that seems to be too high, IME this is usually rectified by figuring out whats too low and increasing it.
As far as the pots, I've always removed them. In my mind, it eliminates the potential for them to become root bound. Maybe others don't bother.
Don't worry, have fun. If a plant or two die you can always replace it. In a couple of months, you'll be giving advice.
As far as fertilizer, my experience has been that you will probably need it in the not very far future. Once plants get growing they can be pigs. In some of my tanks I've found one nutrient will bottom out and another is there in excess. Then when you start fertilizing the low one, the other will dissappear. Don't worry about the stuff that seems to be too high, IME this is usually rectified by figuring out whats too low and increasing it.
As far as the pots, I've always removed them. In my mind, it eliminates the potential for them to become root bound. Maybe others don't bother.
Don't worry, have fun. If a plant or two die you can always replace it. In a couple of months, you'll be giving advice.
I wouldn't worry about putting them in gravel. Many plants draw most of their nutrients from the water column anyway. I'm new to planted tanks also, but Ive gathered that crypts like shaded areas (indirect light). I've also heard that water sprite is an easy beginners plant. As said before, actinic bulbs dont do anything for plants. Get a bulb in the range of 6500k-10000k to replace it.
PS: As stated above you dont need to leave them in the pots.
ikachu:
After reading this thread, I am now left wondering about the actinic bulbs.
what exactly is "actinic" and what is its primary purpose?
I went to Aquarium Services, and inquired about some new bulbs, told them what I intended on putting in my tank. (tropical community tank, some plants, but not tons) and after taking a look through the bulbs they had, I was sold a Lightning Rod Dual Day Actinic, and a Lightining Rod 11,000K.
the dual day actinic is a dual bulb, thats actually divided into two right down the middle.
I did also tell them that I wanted bulbs that would be benefical to my fish, and perhaps even enhance there natural colours if thats possible.
what exactly is "actinic" and what is its primary purpose?
I went to Aquarium Services, and inquired about some new bulbs, told them what I intended on putting in my tank. (tropical community tank, some plants, but not tons) and after taking a look through the bulbs they had, I was sold a Lightning Rod Dual Day Actinic, and a Lightining Rod 11,000K.
the dual day actinic is a dual bulb, thats actually divided into two right down the middle.
I did also tell them that I wanted bulbs that would be benefical to my fish, and perhaps even enhance there natural colours if thats possible.
Well, if you want to grow plants you'll need another bulb. Actinic bulbs are made for corals and SW tanks. They do nothing for FW plants. I would try to get a bulb that is in the daylight range of 6,500K.
Also take the plants out of the steel wool stuff they come in. Overtime this stuff will dissolve in the tank making a huge mess.
Also take the plants out of the steel wool stuff they come in. Overtime this stuff will dissolve in the tank making a huge mess.
You're getting some great advice here.
I think trading the actintic bulb for a 6500k daylight bulb will make growing plants a lot easierin the long run. With the one 32 watt 6500k already in the hood you have 1.3 watts per gallon. You can probably grow low light plants with that but with another 32 watt 6500k bulb, you will have 2.6 watts per gallon. That's ideal for a lot of different plants. Having the plants growing good will help the tank cycle too.
You are at the right place, there's a lot of knowledge here and folks that love to help others.
Good luck and have fun!
I think trading the actintic bulb for a 6500k daylight bulb will make growing plants a lot easierin the long run. With the one 32 watt 6500k already in the hood you have 1.3 watts per gallon. You can probably grow low light plants with that but with another 32 watt 6500k bulb, you will have 2.6 watts per gallon. That's ideal for a lot of different plants. Having the plants growing good will help the tank cycle too.
You are at the right place, there's a lot of knowledge here and folks that love to help others.
Good luck and have fun!
I believe that the K rating is rating of heat produced by the bulb..what you need is a bulb in the proper lumens(color spectrum/range) daylight bulbs are a great start.
as far as ferts..for those plants prob not
how much light? how big is the tank. if you have high light y9ou wil need co2 and if you get these you will need ferts.
read more about light..check out Rex Grigg and others sites
as far as ferts..for those plants prob not
how much light? how big is the tank. if you have high light y9ou wil need co2 and if you get these you will need ferts.
read more about light..check out Rex Grigg and others sites
Kelvin ratings have to do with the color of light emitted by the bulb and the different wavelengths.
http://www.cameraguild.com/technology/kelvin.htm
