Simple Setup for a Beginner - Go Easy on Me (PLEASE)! - Page 4 - New to Planted Aquariums

trenac · 05-09-2005, 04:55 PM

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Jess7 · 05-17-2005, 11:22 AM

So Saturday I redid my tanks. I bought the following plants:
Anubias Coffeefolia
Hygrophila polysperma
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Java Fern, Lace
I also had Java Moss, and Amazon Sword , and a grass like plant (not sure what it is).

Setup with the Flourite, ZooMed UltraSun bulbs, and my new rocks. My fish are LOVING it!!!
I will send pictures tonight! Thanks everyone for your help!

BTW, I also got the Flourish Comp, Excel, Iron and Trace. Hopefully I'm good to go now! Is this all I need for ferts?

Cavan Allen · 05-18-2005, 11:11 AM

You may need to add nitrate and phosphate if your plants are doing well, but as far as micronutrients, you'll be fine.

If your Amazon sword is Echinodorus bleheri , it will become far too large for a ten gallon tank.

AaronT · 05-18-2005, 11:33 AM

Actually pretty much any sword is too large for a ten gallon. A compacta sword is about the only one I know of that will fit.

Welcome to the world of planted tanks.

Jess7 · 05-18-2005, 11:49 AM

Actually lazt night one of the leaves on the Cryptocoryne wendtii had disintegrated and I got a little bit of a rise in nitrite since I switched the tanks over. Did a w/c. Could a leaf disintegrate from a little bit of nitrite? It was <.25

How would I add nitrate?

AaronT · 05-18-2005, 12:05 PM

That is normal for Cryptocorynes in general. They do not like to be moved and will sometimes go through a melting faze. Do not worry, new healthy leaves will grow back in its place.

You add nitrate by dosing Flourish Nitrogen. You can also purchase dry chemicals, but that takes a little extra effort. We're happy to help if you want to try it as it is cheaper.

Jess7 · 05-18-2005, 03:45 PM

Thanks

Here are the pics I promised.

http://photobucket.com/albums/y220/j...lti=5&addtype=
Let me know what you think...

trenac · 05-18-2005, 04:51 PM

Jess, that is a big improvement from the first pic. I like the way you have the rocks stacked...Good job

Jess7 · 05-18-2005, 05:33 PM

Thanks Trena!
I wish my camera was a little better. The pics just don't do the setup justice...

You guys think those plants will spread to cover more of an area or should I get some more? Still think the amazon sword is too big?

AaronT · 05-18-2005, 07:32 PM

That is a baby amazon sword. A full grown amazon sword should get to be 20"+ tall easily.

I like your setup too. Make sure if you put the anubias in the substrate that you don't bury the rhizome (horizontal part) of the plant or it will rot. Also, try attaching your java moss to the rocks with sewing thread. Just spread a patch around the rock you want to attatch it to and wrap thread tightly around it to attatch it. It will look funny when you do it, but after a couple weeks it will be attatched and much more appealing.

That's a great start you have and certainly an improvement over your original setup. As you stated already, the fish always appreciate a more natural environment.