Attempt So Far At Creating A Planted Tank...

[PaulEbs]

Okay, so I decided to move the plants around a little to help the ones who need it get nearer to a higher light source. The java fern is now at the back, directly underneath the smaller sun-glo bulb. I moved some of the vallis to create more of a green background throughout the tank. I really hope the vallis takes over the back - would look top notch!

I also checked the PH from 5ml of tank water that had been left on the side for 35 hours. The result was a good'un, i think...

Tank's current water ph level: 7.5

5ml of tank water left aside, ph level: 8.5

That's a good thing right? Means that the co2 is dispersing in the water?

A few more pics... [managed to get hold of a digital camera!]

I want to eventually dispose of that horrible blue and white gravel, in my opinion it spoils the could-be natural look for the tank. I would also like to get some more grassy/small plants for infront of the rocks on the left - any suggestions??


Cheers for looking, and any advice would be great.

Paul.

 

[Ginge]

New camera? Because that tank looks amazing.

 

[CBBP]

New camera? Because that tank looks amazing.

Hey guy.. just somethign you might wanna try for your co2 injecti0on.. try injecting it directly into the filter. It difuses them into the water. I run mind through a poiwerhead, which I also use to put O2 into the water at night.

 

[PaulEbs]

Cheers for the comments.

Cardboardboxprocessor - Thanks for the advice, but i think the co2 is being dissolved with my method as the ph test proved. I stopped running air through the top of the filter for a couple of days, maybe that has all helped the ph drop too? I've also removed the carbon from the smaller filter.

Paul.

I've made my sig smaller by placing all the tank info on a seperate webpage...

 

[Neal]

How does carbon effect the Co2?

Neal

 

[PaulEbs]

It probably doesn't, but it's helping the overall success of the plants - hopefully. I didn't mean to say that it was helping the ph drop - but I'm pretty sure not having the air tubing into the top of the filter has helped a great deal.


Paul.

 

[Liam]

It does look very good with those pics. For root feeding I got some JBL balls last week, seven in a little box, don’t know how effective they are but you just push them into the gravel beside root feeders, they should help the swords. The gravel pebble size looks a little big for roots to settle in. When vallis grows it throws out little runners that root. They would need something smaller to root in I would think. You could put a bit of sand in the gravel around them, which would give them a firmer footing. If the plants are using the Co2 you should be able to notice the difference in how much they are pearling. For liquid ferts I have two different brands I don’t know how good they are but if the plants are to use the Co2 they will probably need some feeding.

Tank looks great, pity the plec has to move out, hope he gets a nice big home!

 

[PaulEbs]

I've always thought the gravel can't be helping too much as it's basic pea-shingle and rubbish looking blue and white gravel.

I would love to change the substrate today, but having no money makes it rather difficult. My plan is to buy a few root tabs [for the swords, and maybe vallis], get an approved [by u lot] liquid fert, and hope for the best.

Come October [although at the moment it looks like it may be next year] when we move out, the whole tank will be properly substrated, fertilizer, pressurized co2, 3WPG, etc.

I have been researching planted aquaria for a few days now and have such inspiration from a lot of the tanks I found. Hopefully, eventually, I will be able to produce a tank that looks just as stunning as some I came across recently.

Now that I know the Ph is deffinatly being dispersed atleast a little, I can be re-assured the tank is going in the right direction. Hopefully, with a few root tabs, liquid fert, and more 'grassy' looking plants in the foreground - it may be respected as a 'planted' tank.

It's a real shame that we have to get rid of the cat, especially as we've watched him grow from nothing. But he will only get bigger, and more boistreous, so I'm afraid he has to go.

Thanks for all your advice/comments.

I'll try to keep this thread updated with pics as I progress.

Paul.

 

[PaulEbs]

Does anyone have any experience with Nutrafin Plant Gro?

It seems a decent [as it's cheap] substitute for a fert before we move, just wondered if anyone knows whether it's any good?

Thanks.