Confused As To Whether Or Not I Should Use Flourish Or Similar?

[elisew]

Here is a pic of my planted tank. I seem to have had some problems with my tank for a while i.e fish dying and plants (sword) turning yellow and transparent.
I`ve recently (a week ago) gutted the tank and started again, this time I`ve added sand instead of pebbles, I`ve planted a larger selection of plants and now have BR`s and Apistos along with rummys, danios, 2 minnows, 2 neaons, corys, a plec and a couple of swordtails. I did a partial water change yesterday but I`ve already had to remove a sword plant due to the leaves turning yellow and the plant in the second pic has already begun to turn brown on the tips.

I`ve been using 2 fluval plus filters in the tank, these have had just the normal sponge (not carbon) in them but I`ve just bought a Fluval 205 external filter that will have all necessary media which I believe includes carbon?
There is so much info on the forum about adding flourish/excel and TPN to planted tanks that I have to admit to being somewhat confused and I really don`t know what would be the best product/products to keep the plants in tip top condition, so all help and advice would be extremely welcome please?

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I use it and it seems to be giving me good results. Another alternative is just have certain substrate thats good for planted tanks like Flora Base. Some plants will still grow without it and not die out as long as they get a strong enough wattage of light per gallon but at a much slower rate. A cheap CO2 system of about 50 dollars or a DIY yeast system is worth looking into. Most of my tanks are nano's so i dont really need C02 as of yet.

 

[RadaR]

Whether you need to add macro nutrients or CO2 is dependent on lighting. The more light you have, the larger the demand the plant has for nutrients and CO2.
It probably doesnt help that some of your plants are not aquatic. The plant in the front left corner is not aquatic (you also have three more at the back). The plant in the back right hand corner is also not aquatic.
What wattage are the bulbs? Are they T8s or T5s? (refers to diameter).

 

[elisew]

Thanks for the replies.

There are 3 artificial plants in the tank, purely because I wanted to create some darker areas at the back for the Apistos, the artificial ones have only been in the tank for a few days.

I believe the one in the front left corner is a sword? Not sure which other ones you`re refering to. I was told at Wyvale that all the plants are aquatic ones...they`re wrong again I take it? That wouldn`t surprise me to be honest.

The tubes are T8`s, lights are usually only on for approx 4 hours a day. Second tube is a moonlight one that is on for a couple of hours in the evening. It`s usually one or the other that`s switched on, never both at the same time.

 

[RadaR]

Nope, not a sword. Dont see how I can describe any better, so I've uploaded a picture.
with regards to lighting.......In that case I would just add root tabs under each plant and maybe dose micro nutrients every water change. If the plants start show signs of deficiencies then those can be addressed accordignly.

 

[elisew]

Thanks RadaR.

It looks like yet again the lfs have advised me wrongly.

The plant at the back right, I was dubious of that one anyway so have taken that out as well as the others you mention.
I have 5 tennis ball size moss balls coming in the next couple of days and also some Java moss.

Just bought some Seachem flourish and some TetraPlant Crypto Fertiliser Tablets. I`ve also ordered some proper sword plants too so hopefully the tank will be better and much healthier once it`s all done.

I`m actually feeling pretty pi**ed off now, wondering if the plants I`ve been advised to put in the tank could have contributed to my fish dying the way they have.