Fertilizer And Co2 Tablets?

[lillykinloo]

Hi everyone! I am actually a newbie, but since this question is specifically about plants, I thought I would post here. I apologize if I've placed this question in the wrong forum.

I am interested in growing a Christmas moss wall and/or some Christmas moss on my bogwood & mopani wood. I also really love the mossy carpets. I do not have any special lighting or a CO2 injector. I have a 37 gallon Eclipse tank with regular flourescent lighting that I keep on 7-9 hours a day. I am planning on keeping a pair of Killifish & 3 Pearl Gourami (which I've read like some shelter from overhead lighting), so I do have a plastic floating plant to provide some shelter, but the tank is still quite brite. The substrate is gravel substrate (not pea gravel, just standard black gravel). I have a few questions about growing and maintaining this moss:

1. I've read about adding fertilizer and CO2 tablets to the water. Is this recommended for Christmas moss? If so, can someone please explain the best way to use these two items?

2. Is my lighting adequate for Christmas moss?

3. If I want to grow a moss carpet, do I need to change my substrate, or will a moss carpet grow on regular gravel?

4. I'm also considering adding a couple of Philippine Java Fern plants. Would my aquarium be suited for this?

Thank you for any advice you can offer!

 

[SNAIL]

Welcome!

You won't need CO2 tablets and ferts.
CO2 Tablets are a waste of money. CO2 needs to be injected consistently and maintained at a steady level in the water to have any effect on plant growth. Ferts, you'll need this but be careful not to over dose. You might end up with algae.

The plants you have mentioned are easy to grow plants. They are not very demanding so low to medium lights are fine.
Philippine Java Fern will be fine with your tank. It should be attached to wood. The moss can also be attached to wood or other objects in the tank. Your substrate is fine. If you want to grow moss on the substrate, you will need a flat stone to tie it on to. As it grows, it will start to form a carpet. You need to do a few of these if you want to cover the bottom evenly. Try adding a few fast growing plants that are low demanding like Vals, Ludwigia Repens to help your tank water stabalized. Plants with dark leaves don't need much light. The lighter the leaves, more lights required. Red plants need high lights. Once you have your plants in the tank, wait a week or two then take out the activated carbon and use sponge or floss pads only. Activated carbon will take the necessary nutrients your plants need.
Make sure you do weekly water changes of 20%. If you can do water changes twice a week, even better.
All the best and good luck!

 

[lillykinloo]

Welcome!

You won't need CO2 tablets and ferts.
CO2 Tablets are a waste of money. CO2 needs to be injected consistently and maintained at a steady level in the water to have any effect on plant growth. Ferts, you'll need this but be careful not to over dose. You might end up with algae.

The plants you have mentioned are easy to grow plants. They are not very demanding so low to medium lights are fine.
Philippine Java Fern will be fine with your tank. It should be attached to wood. The moss can also be attached to wood or other objects in the tank. Your substrate is fine. If you want to grow moss on the substrate, you will need a flat stone to tie it on to. As it grows, it will start to form a carpet. You need to do a few of these if you want to cover the bottom evenly. Try adding a few fast growing plants that are low demanding like Vals, Ludwigia Repens to help your tank water stabalized. Plants with dark leaves don't need much light. The lighter the leaves, more lights required. Red plants need high lights. Once you have your plants in the tank, wait a week or two then take out the activated carbon and use sponge or floss pads only. Activated carbon will take the necessary nutrients your plants need.
Make sure you do weekly water changes of 20%. If you can do water changes twice a week, even better.
All the best and good luck!

Hi Snail! Thank you for the advice! It is very helpful!

 

[lillykinloo]

Hello again, everyone! If I do want to add some low-light requirement plants as SNAIL suggested (like the Vals & Ludwigia Repens), should I change my gravel altogether or mix it with something to make it more suitable for planting? As mentioned, at the moment, I have regular store bought black gravel. l don't know if this matters, but I am planning on keeping Cory Cats, so I think it would be best if whatever I use is not too sharp for their barbels.

Also, how deeply do you typically plant aquatic plants?

Thank you again!