Angel/amazon Setup Questions

[Duzzy]

Hi there,

my wife and I just moved and are in the process of re-setting up out angel tank. We decided to have a real good go at planting the tank and getting them establised before stocking. Our tank is 130 litre (32 gallon) I have earthy colored gravel 3-5mm in diametre. Currently soaking some mopano driftwood to leech some tannins my questions are.

Thinking of adding black sand to the gravel will it be of benifit to plants?
Thinking about using a DIY CO2 system and was wondering if it makes a noticable difference to plants?
Can I bury the heater under the substrate?
What are some good plants that will give great effect in an amazon type setup?
What are good ways to get iron into the substrate and is it worth while to plants?

Keeping in mind all suggested items must be avail in Australia.

Hoping to stock it with 2-4 angels and 15-20 Rummy nosed tetras. Also after a loach/cat or something with very striking black and whit bands and does not grow too big just for some added interest.

Regards Darren

 

[Colin_T]

It's not recommended adding sand to gravel because it fills in the gaps and compacts around the plant's roots. It can also become anaerobic if it isn't stirred up or gravel cleaned regularly.
CO2 can make a difference to plant growth but iron fertiliser and light make a big difference as well. CO2 can cause problems with the PH and there is enough in the water and atmosphere not to need it unless you have a heavily planted tank with few to no fish in.
If you have subgravel heating cables yes you can bury them but an ordinary heater needs to be in the water exposed to currents so it doesn't overheat and crack the heater glass.
Good plants are swordplants, vallis, ambulia, hygrophillas and hydrilla.
Best way to get iron into the substrate is to make laterite balls. Buy or collect some red clay, sold as Laterite, moisten it and roll it into balls about 10mm in diameter. Let them dry and then push them in the gravel and plant a plant on top of them. For established plants you can push them in near the base of the plant.
The tank might not be big enough for all those fish when the angels are mature.

 

[Duzzy]

Thanks Colin,

Only planned to add CO2 until the tanks plants were thick bushy and established before any fish were in. If thats too many fish what can I stock? also here is the product I was going to use amongst my gravel http/www.seachem.com/products/gravels.html

Regards Darren

 

[Colin_T]

The black sand (Grey Coast) is calcium based and will push the PH and hardness of your water up, which is the opposite of the Amazon.
The Fluorite I wouldn't bother with either. It is an iron rich gravel. It does a similar thing to iron fertilisers and laterite. Laterite can be made by you at home. Go find a patch of red or dark orange clay up in the hills. Take some home and roll it into small balls about 10mm diamter. Let them dry and away you go. If you want to add an iron fertiliser try something along the lines of Sera Florena.

The fish stocking levels is not a problem until the angels mature at which stage I would only have 1pr and 12-15 rummynose.

 

[Duzzy]

Hi Colin,

sadly the only clay I have ever seen here (Ballarat Victoria) is grey or white and the plan of 4 angels was just to allow natural selection of mates.

Thanks for all your help

Regards Darren

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I would just buy fertilizer tabs. Your local pet store probably carries them.