davemonkey's 50 gal journal

47694 Views 290 Replies 49 Participants Last post by mudboots, Jul 6, 2010

davemonkey

Discussion Starter · May 19, 2008

Okay, this is my first planted tank set-up. My goal is low-maintenance, low (or moderate) tech, and just to get a good feel for planted aquaria.

-Tank is 48"x13" and 18"tall (50 gal...or more like 48...).
-Substrate is "planted aquarium substrate" from aquariumplants.com, 3" deep.
-Filters: emperor w/bio-wheel; 1 powerhead on undergravel filter for right side of tank only.
-Lighting is 130 W PC of 50/50 10,000K and Actinic and a 2x15W "aquarium bulb" (came with original hood). Light duration is for 10 hrs (but only 8 with the PC hood).
-DIY CO2, 2x 1 gallon jugs with same ingredients for smaller containers (gives just a bit of CO2)
-dose excel and ferts

Plants are val, swords, crypts, anubia, egeria, mosses, java fern, hygo. difformis...low-mod light (due to half my light being actinic and non-productive)

Fish are random fellows I've been trying out, haven't yet decided what to keep in there. Getting rid of 5 SAE's and a Pictus Cat soon.

Many of the plants still need to do ALOT of filling in. Feel free to critique/comment. I am totally open to suggestions (unless it involves buying more plants for awhile).

Here is the moss-rock I just tied-up a couple days ago. The SAE's liked it alot...yummy treat...hence, I'll be trading them in soon...:boxing:

Thanks for looking,
Dave

See less See more

Save

1 - 1 of 291 Posts

wrkucera

· #44 · Aug 7, 2008

davemonkey said:
My C. willisii x lucens 'bronze' carpet plants haven't done much since splitting and replanting. Each plantlet has put on 1 new leaf, and so far they are still 'low-growing'. I was heavily tempted to 're-bunch' it all and buy some Hemianthus micranthemoides this afternoon after Church (we took a trip to PetsMart for some food and they actualy had some nice aquatic plants...even some of that lacey-topped Java Fern that I forget the name).
But, I really want to give these little guys a chance to reacclimate and start spreading. I'm a very impatient person by nature, but I'm giving these plants every bit of patience I can muster. I don't think they'll let me down. Maybe in another couple weeks they'll start spreading again.

BTW, "Hagrid's Woods" is looking WONDERFUL!

I have the same exact plant and it was labeled as echinodorus tenellus (which it is NOT). I am definitely leaning on the C. willisii species. Anyway, I think you gotta be a little extra patient. I had gotten a small pot and split them into separate plants, 6 months ago. They didn't look like much in the beginning. the first three weeks they might have put out a leaf or two and they always seemed to look "lifeless" as they seem to lie flat. However, since then many people have told me I got a "highlight" setup, and suggested to make some lighting changes which I did. I ended up decreasing my lighting time periods. The results were less algae growth and better plant growth. Most important was the C. willisii health. the plants are getting lush and full.

See less See more

Save

1 - 1 of 291 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month