Advice On Planting A New Tank Wanted

[Tropical_Noobie]

Hi all,
I have a 60 litre tank and would like to replace my Silk plants with real one's!
As you have seen? I would like to plant plants in the middle section of the tank and am looking for some advice on some easy to grow plants? In which you think would look good there,Also some attached to my bogwood, Poss?
I do not have a c02 setup of any type (Do I need one or could I get away without one?) If I do need one what type would you surgest?

Any advice would be great! & Thanks for stopping by

Clint.

 

[jacko32]

i would suggest an anubias nana for your wood if you have more than 1 piece of wood you could put an anubias congensis on the other
for the substrate in the middle i would go for something like black swords or cryptocoryn wendtii / becketii
then maybe for one of the back corners a nice ammbulia

you dont really need c02 just use plant food root tabs and liquid plant food i use the brand sera which ive found to be very good also you will need between 0.8WPG-1.5WPG (watts per gallon of light)

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Many thanks for your reply jacko32's. The plants you have suggested look like just what I am looking for
I have a 15W tube in my hood already but could buy a new one as I am unsure of it's age! (second hand with tank) I have been told or read some were that tube's fade as time goes by? Can I ask how many Hrs a day should the light be on?

 

[jacko32]

yes the tubes do fade with age i keep my lights on for 12 hours a day but other people will say different things thats just what i do might be best to start with 8 hours so you dont end up growing algea

 

[RadaR]

Yep, start at 8hours a day. Plants certainly dont need more than 10.
I find that t8 bulbs start to fade, so I replace them maybe every 18months to 2years. Manufacturers will say 6months but that's silly.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Hi Gents,
Thanks for help! I will go & buy a new tube for my tank! At least I will know how old it is and change It every 6 months as per Manufacturers recomendations! Lol. I agree 8 Hrs a day sounds good, I can see how I get on with Algea growth if any?
Would I feed the plants stright away after planting, or leave it a short while?
Clint.

 

[RadaR]

Would I feed the plants stright away after planting, or leave it a short while?

Why wait? That would just increase the chance of algae because the plants might starve. Dose straight away. Remember, excess nutrients do not cause algae, but a lack of nutrients might.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Would I feed the plants stright away after planting, or leave it a short while?

Why wait? That would just increase the chance of algae because the plants might starve. Dose straight away. Remember, excess nutrients do not cause algae, but a lack of nutrients might.

Cool thanks, I'll might sort the plants out next weekend As it's sunny this weekend so out by the river for me.
I'll put up a pic for u all to see!

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Ok i'm back again with a question if anyone with knowledge can answer please?

I am watching these Hagen Glo T5 Double Controller 39w with 2x24w bulbs on eBay and wanted to know if these lights would be suitable for my Juwel Rekord 60 to grow plants under? I understand that I would have to apply my D.I.Y skills to make them fit (Would they fit or should I be looking at some other type's? Please advise!)

I now also have a co2 pressurised system, so i'm almost ready to start up!

Clint.

 

[RadaR]

I wouldnt use 24W bulbs in a 39W ballast. The bulbs wont last long.
That's a lot of light too, more than you need to be honest. 2x15W t8 bulbs would be easier. And combined with prezzurised CO2 and good nutrient dosing (micro and macro nutrients) you can grow pretty much anything. Just make sure you also have atleast 600lph of flow in the tank and that it's used effectively to achieve all round circulation.

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Thanks RadaR for taking the time to answer my question It shows how inexperienced I am. I will take your advice and go to my Lfs tomorrow and buy the extra tube.Could you surgest a Controller unit I should be looking at? It would be nice if I could controll both tubes together at the same time.I currently have a Tetratec EX600 Filter so the 600 ltr's turn over (at least) you suggested is sorted. I also have a rio 200 Powerhead which came with my second hand Co2 setup, Would you suggest I also put that in the tank to help circulation? If so where would be the best spot to place it?
You also mentioned micro and macro nutrients! Could you recomend any brand I should look out for? or are they prety much all the same?
I must admit setting up a Planted tank seems very daunting But with the help of the members from this forum hopfully it will not painfull lol.
Thanks again
Clint.

 

[RadaR]

Could you surgest a Controller unit I should be looking at? It would be nice if I could controll both tubes together at the same time.

Any 15W ballast will be fine. Arcadia and Interpet are good. The original tube is powered by a ballast that's in the hood correct? So it will have a completely different power unit than the new bulb you are going to get, which will require another separate ballast (arcadia or interpet). If you want both of these to come on at the same time, then you'll have to plug them into a socket set that is controlled via a timer. If that makes sense

I would suggest you put the other powerhead in. There is no ideal place, you'll have to play around and observe which is best (which position blows the tiny CO2 bubbles all over the tank).
Best all in one nutrient that contains micro and macro nutrients is tropica plant nutrition+.

The tank is a juwel? Here is a guide on how to retro fit another bulb into the hood.

 

[PDSimon]

easylife set might be a better idea than the TPN+? The green machine have a good offer on it

 

[Tropical_Noobie]

Cool thanks for that Radar,

I'm sure my Lfs stock Arcadia and Interpet products i'll have a look tomorrow and post up what I ended up with.

Looks like i'm of to Argos for more timer switches also not unless I can find somewhere else cheaper?

I was looking at the JBL ProFlora Taifun S Here would you happen to how any knowage on this reactor/Diffuse​r or would I be better to connecting the Co2 direct to the powerhead which ofcourse will chop-up and blow the bubbles around the tank. + save a little space as my tank is only 2ft.

Hi Pd,

Could you please confirm your shorthand for me I am not up to speed. TPN+?

Must be getting old

Clint.

 

[PDSimon]

sorry, TPN+ is what radar was referring to, tropica plant nutrition+... It was only an idea i'm not sure which is better to use but would have thought it would have been the easylife one!