First Planted Tank

[Joe_Shafe]

Here are some pics of my first planted tank. It has two 10 watt CFLs for lighting, flourite and sand as substrate, and a DIY CO2 generator on the way. The plants are Java Fern and Java Moss. I plan on getting some more soon. How's it look?

http/www.flickr.com/photos/joeshafe/sets/72157631344686186/

 

[Ps3Steveo]

You need to take the Java Fern out of the substrate before the rhizome rots, the roots can be buried but the horizontal rhizome part needs to be above the substrate. Also you can attach it to the wood and it will grow just fine. Are you gonna be dosing any ferts with your DIY CO2? You'll need to really as the CO2 makes the plants photo synthesize faster and they'll run out of ferts quicker. Adding any more plants or waiting for these to fill in first?

 

[StandbySetting]

CO[sub]2[/sub] will only increase the rate of photosynthesis if it is currently limited as the light available determines the rate, if it was you would more than likely have algae, if I were you I wouldn't bother using the DIY CO2 set up as the unstable CO2 could trigger algae.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

What size is your tank as the lighting over it is gonna be the deciding factor mate.

 

[Joe_Shafe]

Its a 10 gallon tank so with the 20 watts its low light I think. I don't want to deal with algae but I want some fast growth if possible (if not I'll just be patient lol ) so any suggestions on that would be great. I also just moved the Java fern around I split each plant in two and put two on the driftwood and just put the other two in the sand a little but. Is that okay?

Here's some pics.

http/www.flickr.com/photos/joeshafe/sets/72157631352045068/

Thanks,
-Joe

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Its a 10 gallon tank so with the 20 watts its low light I think. I don't want to deal with algae but I want some fast growth if possible (if not I'll just be patient lol ) so any suggestions on that would be great. I also just moved the Java fern around I split each plant in two and put two on the driftwood and just put the other two in the sand a little but. Is that okay?

Thanks,
-Joe

Providing the horizontal part of the root system is out of the sand it will be ok, having 20 watts of light over a 10 gallon is going into medium lighting so would need CO2 and ferts, unless you can use one of those lights?

 

[Joe_Shafe]

How would you suggest I go about supplying the CO2, and I have no idea on ferts so any help there would also be appreciated. And thanks a lot Steve you've been helping me a lot with my cluelessness lol

 

[Ps3Steveo]

What CO2 kit have you got? For ferts it really depends on your location in the world?

 

[Joe_Shafe]

I just finished building a DIY one with a two liter bottle and a jar for a bubble counter but then I saw some people saying it could cause algae problems so I haven't set it up yet. For ferts I live in the US.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Ok mate, a good idea for setting up yeast CO2 is using 2 x 2L bottles and change the mixes alternatively over a week, say one on Sunday and one on Wednesday. This way rather than waiting for the CO2 to slowly die down then change the mix you will have a much more even flow of CO2 going into the tank and less chance of algae outbreaks from fluctuating CO2 levels. Each bottle should have its own non return valve fitted before both bottle tubes go into a T-piece, then into the bubble counter, that way the pressure stays high to keep it running while you change a mix. I'm not sure about ferts available in the US but you'll need something with micro nutrients & N&P in, they usually tell you if it contains or does not contain it on most ferts.

Here's a pic, regard gas separator as bubble counter lol.


Yeast CO2 by ps3steveo, on Flickr

 

[Joe_Shafe]

Alright thanks, I'll add another 2 liter bottle to the set up. Any recommendations for the mix for the CO2, and what about a diffusor?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I recommend the Hagen ladder, its very good at diffusion but its ugly. Some of he glass diffusers are ok but give it a good soak in bleach/water mix 1/5 ratio, clean off and leave out for any residue to evaporate. They can need more pressure than your DIY will produce but can work just fine. The ladder uses no pressure to run at all, youtube it and you may find some vids of it running. When I used that method I used 1/2 tsp of yeast to 1 cup of sugar but Iran a test to see how long each sugar/yeast mix would last to get best results, I used 3/4 tsp in one mix and it was very fast but ran out quicker so with staggering the bottle mixes over a few days and a weekly change on each you need to find which ratio best suits you,might find 1tsp works best or might find 1/2 tsp works best, have a play with mixes in a bucket of water before you set it up as even the temp its kept at can affect how quick it ferments.

 

[Joe_Shafe]

Alright I'll look into the ladder and will two 2 liter bottles be too much CO2 for my 10 gallon tank or since it comes out one tube in the end does it even matter?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

The idea of 2 bottles is so as one mix starts to run out the other is kicking in as you really want to work out a yeast sugar mix that runs a 4-5 day peak so when staggering the replacing of the mixes over a few days as each runs out the next kicks in and the use of 2 non return valves keeps the pressure in tact as you take off a bottle to replace mix. Fluctuations in CO2 cause nasty algae which is one of the things no one wants in their aquarium so using 2 bottles with staggered mixes should combat that.