Any Planting Experts Available?

[Le Sorcier]

I have a planted Juwel 180 and a planted Aqua 40 (25 litres).

They both have sand as a substrate.

I would dearly love to have beautiful looking plants and would love to know what the best nutrient/fertiliser would be to add (for a plant novice). Plantamin is readily available in my LFS but I don't know if this is any good?

I would also like to know if I can get good plants without CO2? I know some people use Easycarbo. Is this worth using?

I realise a proper full on CO2 system would be best but that is not an option for me.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Caprichoso]

Many people keep beautiful planted tanks without CO2. You justhave to stick with the plants that don't need it to thrive. You actually don't even need to fertilize either if you're looking to keep things simple and don't mind being patient with plant growth. I have a planted tank with the following plants: Java fern, java moss, weeping moss, marimo moss balls, various crypts, various amazon swords, anubias, corkscrew vallisneria, water onion, various hygrophilia, water lettuce, water sprite, wisteria, hornwort. I have medium lighting and I only dose the recommended ferts as said on the bottle. I only use Seachem Flourish. Personally, I like to keep it simple. My 30g and 3 nano tanks, I don't use ferts at all in them. They have mosses, crypt wendtii, amazons and java fern only.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

First thing we need to know is how many watts are your bulbs and how many do you have, are they T5 or T8? How long is your photo period? This is the deciding factor with planting as even slow growing low maintenance plants will need additives if your lighting is high, so let us know about the lighting and what plants you would like to grow?

 

[Le Sorcier]

I will check exactly what plants I have when I get home tonight. I know I have a Crypt in the big tank, and an Anubia in both. Plus several others.

I switch the lights on around 7.30am and they go off around 10pm (maybe on too long?)

My bulbs in the big tank are T8. In the small tank I can't tell? (There is a number on it I need to check again later).

Thanks

 

[pompeydaz]

Dont quote me but I'm sure lights should only be on for a max of 7hrs?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Max of 8 hours normally but that depends on the lighting if its low lighting you can get away with slightly longer.

Yeah get those power ratings from the bulbs.

 

[Le Sorcier]

Aqua 40 bulbs are listed as .... PL-11W Blue/White

Juwel 180 bulbs are .... Standard F30W/129 -T8 Warm White and Standard F30W/154 - T8 Daylight

 

[mattbleasby]

Lights should be on for 8hours a day max. Otherwise you may find your plants dying off. If you want too see the tank in its glory why not set a timer too come on later in the day like 2pm and turn itself off at 10pm. Thats what i do

 

[Le Sorcier]

Would 10 hours be too much?

 

[Le Sorcier]

Aqua 40 bulbs are listed as .... PL-11W Blue/White

Juwel 180 bulbs are .... Standard F30W/129 -T8 Warm White and Standard F30W/154 - T8 Daylight

bump

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Yeah 10 hours is too much really

 

[mattbleasby]

yeah 10 hours is too much. 8 max in my opinion