Plant Maintenance

[FreddytheFish]

Yesterday, when buying fish to cycle my tank, I bought 4 bunches of anachris. (Well, actually bought 3, but the employee gave me 4 ) I know anachris is relatively easy, but what do I have to do to keep it healthy? :huh:
(I don't have CO2, and my lights are just standard fluerescents.)

Thanks in advance, Freddy

 

[FreddytheFish]

Oh, and in case it matters, the fish are 6 zebra danios, the tank is a standard 55 gallon, and I also have a number of fake plants.

(I doubt it makes a difference, but I know that when I answer a thread I like to know all the details. :huh: )

Thanks again!

 

[AquaHobby]

Plant foods

Hi,

One of the things you could do it be sure to give your plants plenty of lighting, at least 2 watts per gallon of water and give them a good plant food along with seachem flourish excel. That is what I do, however I do use CO2 in my tank and I use the jungle fizz factory which is very good. If you do not use a CO2 system, then the flourish excell would be your best bet as I have had wonderful luck with it, with the proper lighting. If you do this, you will have beautiful plants also.

Hope it helps,

Ivan
South Dakota

Oh, and in case it matters, the fish are 6 zebra danios, the tank is a standard 55 gallon, and I also have a number of fake plants.

(I doubt it makes a difference, but I know that when I answer a thread I like to know all the details. :huh: )

Thanks again!

 

[itstheantitang]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

You should have done saltwater.


c02 reference from FAMA
Anyway, heres what you should do: Get a 2 liter bottle. Get airline. Drill hole in bottle cap. Insert airline. add yeast sugar and warm water to it. Insert airline into powerhead venturi. Watch plants grow.

 

[FreddytheFish]

Thanks.

I looked at my lights, unfortunatley, I only have 2 15 watt bulbs! :thud: I bought everything used, and the lights came w/ it. Next time I get new bulbs I'll get more watts.

What is SeaChem Flourish Excel?

Can anyone reccomend a good plant food?

Thanks again.

 

[reiverix]

Unfortunately you're in the lower end of low light. Even anacharis will struggle to grow at 0.54wpg so you might want to try it floating instead.

Next time I get new bulbs I'll get more watts.

I don't think you can get more watts with different bulbs. You'd have to look into a new lighting setup by retrofitting your current hood (probably cheaper) or buying something ready to go.

What is SeaChem Flourish Excel?

A liquid carbon source. It's an alternative to injecting CO2 which works quite well but is best on smaller tanks, because of costs and convenience. It doesn't grow plants quite the same as CO2 but is not bad at all.

Can anyone reccomend a good plant food?

CSM+B, Flourish , TMG. I'd think about increasing lighting and increasing plant mass before adding any plant food though.

 

[FreddytheFish]

Thank You!!

 

[hurricanejedi]

A liquid carbon source. It's an alternative to injecting CO2 which works quite well but is best on smaller tanks, because of costs and convenience. It doesn't grow plants quite the same as CO2 but is not bad at all.

What is considered a small tank? Also what brand/product are you referring too. I'll probably do an injection system but the whole idea seems a little daunting.

 

[djlen]

I believe John's talking about SeaChem's Excel, which is generally considered a viable carbon source in tanks of 20 - 29 gals. and smaller. It gets kind of pricey to use in larger tanks when compared with DIY CO2.
After the initial investment, pressurized is the most cost effective over time, running in most cases, less than $20 - $25 a year for a steady flow of gas and no extra work other than getting your tank re-filled once or twice.

John, I've tried a few times to access your website from your link in the our signature with no success ('page cannot be displayed'). Am I doing something wrong?

Len

 

[FreddytheFish]

I think I might try to make a DIY co2 system, as several members have suggested.

Thanks!