Going For Planted Tank

[Zikofski]

okay cheers mint i won't bother for now then haha i thought for the crypts would be gd ,

and thnx fishball i have no idea about co2 did look i will consider the DIY method if i do get allot of algae, and how much WPG do you say i have then as to websites i have been looking at i have what i stated unless i calculated it wrong

also when i go to the fish shop the have a similar sized tank but they have 4 54w lights so I'm confused with what makes up a low medium and high setup

 

[minnnt]

Your tank lights are fine. The amount of light you offer the plants will determine whether or not you should use Co2 or not. If you choose easy going plants like you mentioned, then Co2 really isn't necessary. Dosing THE CORRECT AMOUNT of fertiliser and keeping your photosynthesis period to one 7 or 8 hour period will not result in loads of algae, especially once the tank has matured and settled into a balanced state. High light and ammonia will equate to loads of algae. Fast growing stem plants minimise algae even further as they use the nutrients quicker than the algae does as they grow at a rate of knotts which is sometimes crazy. I have had Cabomba grow 3-4" in a week and need another trim. Very nice plant too.

Dosing a general fertiliser will lead to lush, healthy plant growth, rather than often sick looking plants that are starved of nutrients and offered masses of light for long, varying periods of time daily.

With regards to the tabs, the Crypts would probably benefit from them, but if you're dosing ferts, then they will be fine as their primary method for getting nutrients is through their leaves. I would give them a go if you feel they need a boost or would benefit from them, but until then, i would use the money to buy more plants.

 

[Zikofski]

Your tank lights are fine. The amount of light you offer the plants will determine whether or not you should use Co2 or not. If you choose easy going plants like you mentioned, then Co2 really isn't necessary. Dosing THE CORRECT AMOUNT of fertiliser and keeping your photosynthesis period to one 7 or 8 hour period will not result in loads of algae, especially once the tank has matured and settled into a balanced state. High light and ammonia will equate to loads of algae. Fast growing stem plants minimise algae even further as they use the nutrients quicker than the algae does as they grow at a rate of knotts which is sometimes crazy. I have had Cabomba grow 3-4" in a week and need another trim. Very nice plant too.

Dosing a general fertiliser will lead to lush, healthy plant growth, rather than often sick looking plants that are starved of nutrients and offered masses of light for long, varying periods of time daily.

With regards to the tabs, the Crypts would probably benefit from them, but if you're dosing ferts, then they will be fine as their primary method for getting nutrients is through their leaves. I would give them a go if you feel they need a boost or would benefit from them, but until then, i would use the money to buy more plants.

cheers mint XD i hate being a newbie at this but hey goat learn some how il just stick with that and your right leave the tabs and get more plants

 

[minnnt]

Always a winner in my book!

 

[Zikofski]

 

[Fishball7]

From what I read, wpg fails when it comes to non-T12 lights, because it was originally (I think) formulated for T12 bulbs. T5HO which is far stronger than T12 would produce light that doesn't hold to the wpg. Over at this massive planted tank forum (not sure if I can say the name), Hoppy produced a chart that is closer to a better formula, title thread "par vs distance". Since I don't know how high your tank is, can't tell if it's low med or high.

In contrast to what many think how much light determines how much CO2, I think it's always a good idea to have CO2 with light, in proportion with each other.

To what minnnt said, to each their own. If I were going for a low light, no CO2 tank, I wouldn't bother with fertiliser given how minuscule the amounts would be, since the plants I would choose would be so very easy going for such a setup and I don't want to have to worry about algae and ferts. Especially since it would be a very low maintenance tank.

 

[minnnt]

Algae has been proven to grow more in a tank with insufficient nutrient content due to the plants not growing well or quick enough. Adding nutrients helps plant produce healthy growth, no two ways about it. This in turn helps fend of algae as the plants react to more nutrient content so grow better.

Without the correct nutrients, plants don't absorb co2 properly anyway.

You are correct about wpg and par, but it gives you a rough estimate of what is happening to your tank and how you act next without buying expert par meters. Its alright for these 'expert aqua scapers' to use them as they are probably given them by the company as they will promote them. Or, the company they work for would buy them for them.

 

[Fishball7]

Algae has been proven to grow more in a tank with insufficient nutrient content due to the plants not growing well or quick enough. Adding nutrients helps plant produce healthy growth, no two ways about it. This in turn helps fend of algae as the plants react to more nutrient content so grow better.

Without the correct nutrients, plants don't absorb co2 properly anyway.

You are correct about wpg and par, but it gives you a rough estimate of what is happening to your tank and how you act next without buying expert par meters. Its alright for these 'expert aqua scapers' to use them as they are probably given them by the company as they will promote them. Or, the company they work for would buy them for them.

Hmm. I would require more evidence to be convinced algae will grow more in the scenario of having no CO2 with added nutrients. Carbon is the primary limiting factor in planted tanks, which generally comes about via CO2. I think light, CO2, nutrients, in that order affects plant growth. I'm not saying nutrients are not important because they are, but that it needs to be on the heels of CO2 or excess nutrients, due to insufficient CO2 for the plants hence less absorption, will be taken up by algae and promote their growth instead. It's also far easier to overdose nutrients than CO2.

I don't think they were promoting specific products by or for companies because they've been long, long supporters of the forum and have stated they had no intentions of doing so. It's all for the community. Par meters can be borrowed from local clubs which I think was what they did. I was saying WPG as the OP stated requires more calculation than the direct watt per gallon in T12 vs T5HO, and it'll be more relevant and easier for the OP with the chart I referenced above.

 

[minnnt]

Like I said, it has been proven.

And, like I also said, dosing co2 alone will not lead to healthy plant growth.

 

[Zikofski]

okay this all way to confusing hahaha XD lol i understand where both of you are coming from so i shall just do what i am planning to do if things don't work out then i shall try other options but I'm hoping it will be fine

 

[Bri]

Hi i am sorry to butt in. I am a newbie too and after reading this thread am as confused as ever when it comes to ferts and CO2? So since we both seem to be working on similar setups, lightly planted tanks and not really knowing what I am doing. So after all the debate on fert pellet and mixers can i ask the name of what you have decided on? I would also be interested if you are now going to use CO2 stuff?? (not at all sure about that stuff)
Your tank is boss so excited to see its progress and i will followly colsely as i am just about to try my and at a few easy growing plants most of the same ones as you. Hopefully we both will somehow manage to keep the plants alive and growing a wee bit too without disasters...

 

[Fishball7]

Like I said, it has been proven.

And, like I also said, dosing co2 alone will not lead to healthy plant growth.

Lol. You miss my point. It's okay. I understand what you're saying.

 

[minnnt]

I don't miss your point at all fishball.

I have 3 different planted tanks, all of them with various wpg as a guideline. Non of them have carbon being added either pressurized or liquid. ALL of them are dosed with fertiliser, ALL of them grow healthy and lush, ALL have NO algae what so ever.

So, from my experience, carbon wouldn't make any difference to my tanks other than to induce much quicker growth. Something that I am not really looking for. I am happy with steady plant growth that is healthy and vibrant.

Less to go wrong
Less to worry about
Less equipment in my tank
Less maintenance of plants ( )

Nothing against co2, the members on here who do use it have amazing tanks with amazing results, my moss carpet is probably a month behind ianho's, so there is an obvious difference, but I'm in no rush I have all my life for it to grow in.

The op asked what was needed for a planted tank. He didn't seem fussed about co2, something we have been speaking about in several threads. Dosing a fertiliser would be a good idea. Adding extra nutrients is better than having no nutrients being added other than fish waste.

 

[Zikofski]

Hi i am sorry to butt in. I am a newbie too and after reading this thread am as confused as ever when it comes to ferts and CO2? So since we both seem to be working on similar setups, lightly planted tanks and not really knowing what I am doing. So after all the debate on fert pellet and mixers can i ask the name of what you have decided on? I would also be interested if you are now going to use CO2 stuff?? (not at all sure about that stuff)
Your tank is boss so excited to see its progress and i will followly colsely as i am just about to try my and at a few easy growing plants most of the same ones as you. Hopefully we both will somehow manage to keep the plants alive and growing a wee bit too without disasters...

No problem glad you are finding this useful, i have settled with just going with the EI green Low setup i have bought 400g of the stuff for £20 will last me at least a year i recon I'm not going to get plants for a few weeks yet but will let you know how it goes

sorry no Co2 and no Root Tabs

what i may do if things gd well is buy a few root tabs and put them on half my crypts and see what the out come is

 

[minnnt]

Hi i am sorry to butt in. I am a newbie too and after reading this thread am as confused as ever when it comes to ferts and CO2? So since we both seem to be working on similar setups, lightly planted tanks and not really knowing what I am doing. So after all the debate on fert pellet and mixers can i ask the name of what you have decided on? I would also be interested if you are now going to use CO2 stuff?? (not at all sure about that stuff)
Your tank is boss so excited to see its progress and i will followly colsely as i am just about to try my and at a few easy growing plants most of the same ones as you. Hopefully we both will somehow manage to keep the plants alive and growing a wee bit too without disasters...

No problem glad you are finding this useful, i have settled with just going with the EI green Low setup i have bought 400g of the stuff for £20 will last me at least a year i recon I'm not going to get plants for a few weeks yet but will let you know how it goes

sorry no Co2 and no Root Tabs

what i may do if things gd well is buy a few root tabs and put them on half my crypts and see what the out come is

Sounds like a good plan mate. If you really get the bug then venture into co2, but its a lot of cost for someone just starting out.