Plant Newbie

Flowerhorn916

Flowerhorn916

AC Members
Dec 27, 2005
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Sacramento, Ca
Hello all I am just now setting up a 60gal tank currently cycling. I am going to have the substrate either 100% play sand or 75% play sand and 25% small natural gravel. Is this ok for plants? I am going to be planting a bunch of differnt swords (which I have a few of in my cichlid tank doing very well.) and a few other random plants w/ I bought off ebay. I bought this for lighting ([http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7735483180&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1and plan on adding lots of different woods in the tank. My question is what can I do to help the plants grow and get them rooted right? I heard that adding fluval peat granuals aroudn the roots is a good way to fertilize them? I dont want co2 injection or any of that stuff as this will be my first tank w/ more than just one or 2 plants I want to keep it simple. I have not decided on any fish yet first I am gonna worry about the plants. Any tips appricated.
Thanks
 
Sand makes a poor substrate for plants. Pretty much the sand layer prevents oxygen from getting to the roots and they get sickly. Go with a more plant friendly substrate even though sand looks nice.
 
Sand can be used for plants - some have used inert sand to great success for planted tanks, not me however. Nonetheless, it is not easy. First, you can not clean it easily with siphon because it gets sucked up. Remedy - add more sand. Second, sand can compact thus preventing roots from expanding, getting their nutrients and "chokes" the roots. Remedy - get sand sifting organinisms (cichlids, malysina trumpet snails or others). Finally, if you use root tabs, these can "build up" in the sand and you or animal uproot it - whamo - massive nutrients and chance for algae. IMHO, if you are just starting with plants, a plant substrate like Seachem Flourite will be easier to maintain and easier to grow plants in. Is there a specific reason why you need the sand? Is it really worth it??

As for the lighting - that is WAY too much lighting for what you say you will have. To me it sounds like a moderate stocking of plants - which at that light level - algae will be you main plant. That light yields over 4 WPG which means CO2 injection is required - not optional - imo. If you can cut the light output by half by not using the acitinic (which you shouldnt use anyway imo), you may be able to get away no co2 - it just depends - because this is just over 2 WPG.

Peat in itself does not fertilize. However peat is used to retain fertilizer it absorbs and makes available to plant roots. Further, peat helps soften the water if need be.

As for rooting, just make sure everything is in the substrate enough. Now if you have diggers, you will always have uprooted plants (especially stems). Swords once they are rooted will most likely stay rooted. If you are having problems with uprooting, you can tie stems to heavier objects such as rocks and wood.

Tip - when dealing with plants - every nutrient has to be balanced from your Macros to your Micros. Too much or too little of one nutrient can block others from being used. THis also complicates things because an imbalance will cause an algae outbreak. See the sticky here for fertilizer tips and ideas.

Good Luck

Aries
 
Thanks Aries you can use just the day lights or atinic lights there is 2 switches so that wont be a problem. Where can I get the Seachem Flourite and how much do I need? Also is gravel good for swords? I have had sucess growing them in a 50/50 gravel sand mix. I am mostly going for swords or other plants w/ a strong root system so I can keep so smaller cichlids w/ them w/ out the fish tearing the plants out. Also are lotus a good plant for me I love the looks of them. Thanks again I am learning alot alredy!
 
What are the advantages of eco complete vs. Seachem Flourite which is better for plants can either be mixed w/ gravel does this help?
Thanks
 
just a newb here but go with flourite and rinse the !@!* out of it before you put it in your tank...

I hear it works better than the eco but it is a bit more work to get ready for your tank.

you can mix it 50/50 but I use it straight for now...
 
You can get Flourite at any LFS or online at places like BigAls or PetSolutions but when you buy online you get a heavy shipment charge.

Swords are heavy root (substrate) feeders so you will need a good substrate. Plain gravel alone may work - but there are better options IMO. You can go 50/50 with sand and flourite (or gravel) but the sand will just sift down to the bottom over time. In my tanks I use 60/40 Flourite/Reg Gravel. Amount depends on how deep you like it to be. I like about 2.5" to 3" in the front to about 4" to 4.5" in the back - sloping of course. My calcs may be wrong but in a 60G, this would take about 90lb Flourite and 60lb of reg gravel. To me that sounds like to much - others can give you a better calculation.

I have never used Eco Complete. Many others have and like it a lot. However, some odd cases have reported PH differences with Eco Complete. I can not confirm this because I have never used it. Both Flourite and EcoComplete will be great for a planted tank. I choose Flourite because 1) I like the color 2) Is cheaper and 3) No problems (no matter how odd) have been reported that I am aware of. Also, it comes is a "Sand" size but is black. Black can be good or bad - depending on fish.

Flourite WILL need to be rinsed as it is very dusty - but since you have no fish or plants yet - some of the rinsing can be done by your filter IMO. I usually take a strainer and do two passes and then let my filter do the rest. The dust dies down after 24-36 hours for me.

Good Luck

Aries
 
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