A Few Questions........

[penguinpimp1990]

1. How long does it take for the plants to absorb the fertilizers in the water? I was wondering because I wanted to add the carbon in between fert dosing.
2. For a 55 gallon brackish lightly planted tank could you reccomend a non pressurized co2 system? Like one of those "co2 natural plant systems". I dont mind running mutiple units to get 30 ppm.
3. Kinds of sounds dumb but can plants go into shock? I was planning on using a rubber maid container for growing out the plants (in freshwater)unitl the filters cycle (the filters will also be in a seperate rubber maid container to avoid any algae outbreaks in the main tank as in brackish water algae grows like crazy). After the filters cycle ill fill up the aquarium with brackish water add the filters and plants. I dont want the plants to die or anything from the "shock" from the different parameters.
4. will running c02 24 hours a day do any harm?

 

[George Farmer]

1. How long does it take for the plants to absorb the fertilizers in the water? I was wondering because I wanted to add the carbon in between fert dosing.
2. For a 55 gallon brackish lightly planted tank could you reccomend a non pressurized co2 system? Like one of those "co2 natural plant systems". I dont mind running mutiple units to get 30 ppm.
3. Kinds of sounds dumb but can plants go into shock? I was planning on using a rubber maid container for growing out the plants (in freshwater)unitl the filters cycle (the filters will also be in a seperate rubber maid container to avoid any algae outbreaks in the main tank as in brackish water algae grows like crazy). After the filters cycle ill fill up the aquarium with brackish water add the filters and plants. I dont want the plants to die or anything from the "shock" from the different parameters.
4. will running c02 24 hours a day do any harm?

1. You are refering to nutrient uptake rate. This is entirely dependant on various factors all linked to plant growth i.e. lighting, CO2, what nutrient levels already present, planting types and density.

2. DIY CO2 is possible in a 55G. pseud has good results with his I believe http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=117501&hl= Other than that you'll need 3 Nutrafin units.

3. Some species are more sensitive than others. I'd suggest any plant that can be grown in brackish conditions should adapt fairly well. Most of us plant from the very beginning whilst the tank is cycling, the plant growth can speed up the cycling process due to the plants using up the various nitrogen compounds.

4. Generally no. I'm assuming brackish will have high KH so pH crash isn't an issue, just ensure CO2 stays within limits (ideally a stable 30ppm).

Most of us avoid carbon filtration as the plants will do a similar job at removing toxins.

 

[penguinpimp1990]

thanks gf, very informative...

3. Some species are more sensitive than others. I'd suggest any plant that can be grown in brackish conditions should adapt fairly well. Most of us plant from the very beginning whilst the tank is cycling, the plant growth can speed up the cycling process due to the plants using up the various nitrogen compounds.

do you think i should cycle while plants are present? I just dont want an algae outbreak because algae seems to go crazy in brackish waters.....

 

[George Farmer]

do you think i should cycle while plants are present? I just dont want an algae outbreak because algae seems to go crazy in brackish waters.....

If anything the plants should help prevent algae. Unless you are cycling in darkness that is (....conjures up an image of a mentalist on a bike in the dark with no lights on!).