Advice

[eldomingo]

hey.

i really want to set up a fully planted tank but only really know the basics. if anyone could give me advice and or tell me about potential problems etc that would be great

also, anyone willing to explain the whole lighting situation to me would be forever loved

thankyou
x

 

[aaronnorth]

Rather than me writing a lot, can y ou tell us the spec of your tank? Then we can move on from there.

lighting - wattage? T5/ T8 etc

tank size and depth

substrate

fertilisers
CO2

Do you want to go into CO2 and heavy fertilisation?

Take a look at the pinned sections too.

 

[eldomingo]

my tank's 60l and it's about 60x40x30 and i've got a single flourescent tube at present but i don't know what wattage cos it was there when i bought it and i've never looked. right now, i've just got gravel and i'm not using any CO2 or fertilizers or anything. i wanna find out about stuff before i start buying so i don't spend millions.

 

[aaronnorth]

The light is probably a 15w T8, which gives you 1wpg, at this lighting level no CO2 is necassary, and only little fertilisation is needed.

If you upgrade to a T6 tube (from aqua essentials) this gives out 40% more light, which will give you 1.4wpg, which IMO would be the best thing to do. It will fit straight into the existing T8 ballast, Again CO2 is not necassary although it will still help, there is the option of DIY: http/www.fishforever.co.uk/carbondioxide.html

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96754

but this can cause algae if it fluctuates which it probably will, there is also the option of a pressurized system, these are quite dear but you have optimum control of the amount of CO2 you inject. Ready made kits are available, or there is also a fire extinghuisher (see 2 guides in my sig) you can set this up for around £80 with a 2kg FE.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=105266

The 2 best fertilisers on the market are seachem flourish, and tropica plant nutrtion+ (aqua essentials) TPN+ is easier to work out a measurement for daily dosing which is better for plants, 1ml per 20l

You may need to supplement your substrate with root tabs which need replacing every 3-4months.

Is there anything else you need to know?