[Wet Thumb Forum]-Newly planted aquarium - General Aquarium Plants Discussions

Dr.T. · 07-29-2003, 11:00 AM

Hey all,

I've kept and bread African Cichlids for around 7 years, now, and have tinkered with plants, unsuccessfully. pH 7.8, KH 12, GH 22.

After reading the messages here, and seeing some of the planted tanks people have, I've decided to make it a priority to make a successfull run at it.

My tank in question is a 65 gallon African tank with about 1" of laterite and 2" sand as my base. I've gotten my water down to pH 7.0, kH 6, gH 9 - DIY CO2 24/7. I've planted it pretty heavily - slow and fast growing plants. I have 192 W VHO lighting and a fluval 314 cannister filter - no air being pumped in. I change around 15% H2O every two weeks.

I'm adding Seachem's fluorish comp. supplement for trace, NO3 is provided by the fish (around 5 - 10 ppm), Seachem's Fe to around 0.3 ppm Fe, and just started adding K+ in the form of K2SO4 - 20 ppm total.

Anywho... I planted this tank one week ago, and I'm crossing my fingers. Anyone have some advice to give a hopefull newbie? Does it look like I've got things set up alright?

Thanks alot!
Jeff

Dr.T. · 07-29-2003, 11:00 AM

Hey all,

I've kept and bread African Cichlids for around 7 years, now, and have tinkered with plants, unsuccessfully. pH 7.8, KH 12, GH 22.

After reading the messages here, and seeing some of the planted tanks people have, I've decided to make it a priority to make a successfull run at it.

My tank in question is a 65 gallon African tank with about 1" of laterite and 2" sand as my base. I've gotten my water down to pH 7.0, kH 6, gH 9 - DIY CO2 24/7. I've planted it pretty heavily - slow and fast growing plants. I have 192 W VHO lighting and a fluval 314 cannister filter - no air being pumped in. I change around 15% H2O every two weeks.

I'm adding Seachem's fluorish comp. supplement for trace, NO3 is provided by the fish (around 5 - 10 ppm), Seachem's Fe to around 0.3 ppm Fe, and just started adding K+ in the form of K2SO4 - 20 ppm total.

Anywho... I planted this tank one week ago, and I'm crossing my fingers. Anyone have some advice to give a hopefull newbie? Does it look like I've got things set up alright?

Thanks alot!
Jeff

jpmtotoro · 07-29-2003, 11:12 AM

dang you read up a lot, didn't you? what about your phosphates? check those too. 65 gallons... 192 VHO... that probably shouldn't be too bad to start out at all. be careful of PH shifts with the DIY co2... a tank that size will be better off with pressurized, but feel free to start with DIY to try it out. the only recommendation i have is...

larger water changes

there, that should stand out

the only reason i say more is because you probably won't fertilize perfectly in the beginning, so if you change 1/3 or 1/2 of the water every week or so, you'll keep nutrients from shooting off the chart. just a bit of a safety net

i don't know if the tank should have different properties since it's an african tank... but it looks like you're on the right tank. a cichlid lover can let you know about your water chemistry. sounds good so far, i hope our advice leads to plant growth, not algae and dead cichlids

welcome to the forum!

JP

JamesHoftiezer · 07-29-2003, 02:02 PM

Looks like a solid start.
Just take your time, test often and see how things go. We'd love to see pictures as soon as you can post them.

James Hoftiezer
Hoftiezer.Net - Journals and Libraries
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Dr.T. · 07-30-2003, 02:12 AM

Well, let's see if this works: Here's my 65 gallon and 29 gallon, respectivley.
African Beach Bums
Community / South American

I'm beginning a nice covering of what I think is hair algae on the plants. Is this a normal phenomenon for new setups? I've stopped using straight tap water, as it sucks around here, and use around 25% tap, 75% RO - and I add back some electrolytes for the fish.

Oh yeah - I heard some people say that I should remove my carbon bags from my cannister filters - they could remove some of the nutrients/metals I'm adding - this true?

Jeff (Dr.T.)

JamesHoftiezer · 07-30-2003, 05:05 AM

Hair algae shows a fert imbalance (although I always get it on myaca no matter what). You may want to add K and see where your N and P are.

Carbon is of little use. It can block some nutrients, but I feel most people avoid it for lack of usefulness.

James Hoftiezer
Hoftiezer.Net - Journals and Libraries
Tank Journal - Aquascape ( Latest / Archive )
Tank Journal - Parts and Construction ( Latest / Archive )