Having A Go At A Planted Tank

[carrera]

hi. ive decided for the first time to have a shot at a planted tank, which ive never tried before and i have a few questions for the experts

first off, im planning on using play sand for the substrate, which i assume will be ok, but this also gives me the opportunity to mix in some laterite with the sand. is this recommended?

i have the standard juwel 15w tube with built in reflectors, will this be sufficient lighting around 11-12 hours per day?

lastly, regarding fertilisers. should i use an iron fertiliser? do they have any effect on fish? should i start with a small dose and increase it slowly to acclimitise the fish to it? do i even have to use it at all?

thanks.

 

[craynerd]

Size tank u using, then peeps can work out the wpg and tell u if your lighting will surfice? tbh unless its nano tank i can tell you know that it will need upgrading at least adding another 15w preferably two.

You looking for something high/low maintainance tho?

PS. if ur serious about plants then stay away from the sand. A few of us use it but wish we hadn`t!! I`d go for tiny gravel.

Anyway, good luck and i`m sure more people will help if you tell us your exact plans/needs and the size of your tank?

Chris

 

[carrera]

thanks for the response. the tank is a 15 uk gallon and i guess i wanna start off low maintenance.

how come you would choose small gravel over sand?

thanks

 

[craynerd]

Plants don`t seem to grow as well in sand. I think it gets too compact and doesn`t allow the nutrients to circulate fully near the roots. A lot of people who have a planted tank and choose sand wish they hadn`t BUT then again some like it! I think this is especially important for more difficult species!

15uk g = v roughly 18-20 us g so thats 15W / 18g = Less than 1 WPG

Everyone will tell you thats low lighting, BUT you said you want low maintainance and since i`ve only researched high maintainace high tech tanks if u select your plants carefully you may be ok.

Wait for better responses. Good luck

Chris

btw, not the rekord 70 is it?

 

[carrera]

btw, not the rekord 70 is it?

aye it is, gonna have different stocking than in my sig tho, hopefully 4 dwarf puffers