Hi Everyone

[GravitySmacked]

Hi folks,

Thought I should join seeing as I've been lurking for a while now.

I used to keep a lot of aquariums when I was younger, ranging from trpoical to Brackish (I loved my Green Spotted Puffers), but I haven't had one (other than cold water) for quite a while now; read about 12 years or so.

Now I've settled in my new house I thought it was time.

I've set up a 60 litre tank to house Black Phantoms, a couple of Dwarf Gouramis and maybe a small catfish; depending if I can find a suitable one that doesn't grow to big and doesn't mind being on it's own (so that's Corydora's out of the picture).

A picture of it currently with 6 Black Phantoms:

http/www.gravitysmacked.co.uk/ImagesNW/phantom.jpg

I'm hoping to keep the plants healthy, a problem I've always struggled with in the past so I've been reading up on this area a lot.

Anyway nice to meet you all and I'm sure I'll have a few noobish questions to ask (I'm very rusty) but hopefully I'll be able to add something too.

 

[fluttermoth]

to the forum.

Always nice to have another new face on here

Doh, forgot to say; your tank looks very nice. I have a few black phantoms myself, a very handsome fish

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

Nice site

 

[Termato]

Hi folks,

Thought I should join seeing as I've been lurking for a while now.

I used to keep a lot of aquariums when I was younger, ranging from trpoical to Brackish (I loved my Green Spotted Puffers), but I haven't had one (other than cold water) for quite a while now; read about 12 years or so.

Now I've settled in my new house I thought it was time.

I've set up a 60 litre tank to house Black Phantoms, a couple of Dwarf Gouramis and maybe a small catfish; depending if I can find a suitable one that doesn't grow to big and doesn't mind being on it's own (so that's Corydora's out of the picture).

A picture of it currently with 6 Black Phantoms:

http/www.gravitysmacked.co.uk/ImagesNW/phantom.jpg

I'm hoping to keep the plants healthy, a problem I've always struggled with in the past so I've been reading up on this area a lot.

Anyway nice to meet you all and I'm sure I'll have a few noobish questions to ask (I'm very rusty) but hopefully I'll be able to add something too.

Great looking tank! I like how healthy those plants look!

Welcome to the forum btw!

I see you are using gravel, I do the same. My plants have been quite healthy in it although the tank is still new and not very established. Have you used sand before? That could help some with the plants health.

Do you use any kind of fertilizer or C02?

 

[GravitySmacked]

Thanks fluttermoth & attyeatsmatts

@Termato My tanks has only cycled recently so mine isn't well established either.

I'm adding liquid ferts at the moment and I'm waiting for some root tabs to arrive in the post. The plants in the middle have some yellowing leaves so I'm hoping the root tabs will help.

If not I'll have to change my bulb as it's only 15 watts and I reckon I need around 30w although the tank does get a fair bit of natural light.

I've only used sand in my old brackish tank but it wasn't planted. In hind sight I should have added a better substrate for my plants but it's too late now (thus getting some root tabs).

 

[Termato]

Thanks fluttermoth & attyeatsmatts

@Termato My tanks has only cycled recently so mine isn't well established either.

I'm adding liquid ferts at the moment and I'm waiting for some root tabs to arrive in the post. The plants in the middle have some yellowing leaves so I'm hoping the root tabs will help.

If not I'll have to change my bulb as it's only 15 watts and I reckon I need around 30w although the tank does get a fair bit of natural light.

I've only used sand in my old brackish tank but it wasn't planted. In hind sight I should have added a better substrate for my plants but it's too late now (thus getting some root tabs).

Let me know how your root tabs work. I guess it really will depend on which ones you get.

I have been adding Seachem Flourish Comprehensive and that is all I have added so far. I have only noticed yellowing leaves on those that don't receive enough light. I just re-arranged those plants so I have to wait and see what happens now.

 

[danele]

Welcome, nice tank

 

[GravitySmacked]

@danele Thanks & thanks

@Termato

I've ordered some API Root Tabs as I've read they're pretty good. The liquid fert I'm currently using is King British Plant Food.

My gut tells me it's a lighting issue as it's only the middle of the plants showing brown leaves but I'll try the root tabs to rule that out. I'll let you know how I get on.

Noob question, can adding liquid ferts and root tabs at the same time have any negative effect on fish?