How Much Has Changed With Planted Tanks?

[back2Fish]

Hello, well I am getting back in to fish after a 4ish year break, and was just wondering how much has changed with the care of plants. It has been roughly 7 years since I have kept a tank with live plants. Previously everyone was using top soil for substrate, is that still the standard, or has something better come along? Also I was wondering about lighting, previously this was always my problem, and the ultimate reason why I stopped keeping live plants, I just could not keep plants alive with the lighting available to me. What is the standard lighting now? Finally, do to my job I am now living in Ireland, and I do not recognize any of the standard brands available for fertilizers and such. Could you recommend a few good products to use?

Thank you

Oh and one more thing, can anyone recommend a reliable aquarium shop in the Dublin area?

 

[Nick16]

wow, in the last 7 years a great deal has changed. Your now a newbie in the planted game!

many different substrates are availible, from laterite stuff, clay based stuff or more hi tech ADA products like amazonia (£33 per 9L bag)
Lighting, is most commonly done via a pendant or OTL (over tank luminaire) most commonly made by arcadia.

Fertilisers are very very important. Many people mix their own useing the estimative index (EI). but thats harder for the new comer to understand and unless you intent to stay planted for a long time or will have multiple tanks its not a huge advantage.
For me, The best product for quality, price etc is Tropica plant nutrition+ which is availible on the net.

hop over to uKaps if you want some in depth planted talk.

 

[aaronnorth]

take a read through these:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/298133-back-to-basics/

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/296418-planted-aquariums-resource-center/

 

[angelfishguy]

Hello, well I am getting back in to fish after a 4ish year break, and was just wondering how much has changed with the care of plants. It has been roughly 7 years since I have kept a tank with live plants. Previously everyone was using top soil for substrate, is that still the standard, or has something better come along? Also I was wondering about lighting, previously this was always my problem, and the ultimate reason why I stopped keeping live plants, I just could not keep plants alive with the lighting available to me. What is the standard lighting now? Finally, do to my job I am now living in Ireland, and I do not recognize any of the standard brands available for fertilizers and such. Could you recommend a few good products to use?

Thank you

Oh and one more thing, can anyone recommend a reliable aquarium shop in the Dublin area?

kinsealy pet shop in kinsealy
they seem to know theyre stuff

 

[Goodygumdrops]

Not to pee on anyone's chips,but I think any newbs reading this may be put off a bit thinking they have to buy expensive luminaires and lighting.
Really,nearly any new or nearly new tank with it's own lighting system will be perfectly adequate for any beginner to grow lush plants.
For example,I have a 125 Fluval tank,and an Aqua One 60l,both with their own lighting systems and relatively inexpensive (I got the 125 on eBay for £50),
both are packed with plants doing great,it all depends on your choice of plants.
Or,if money's not so much of an issue,sure there's LOADS of really expensive and high tech stuff out there now.
Just wanted to say that you can have a beautiful planted tank without going nutso.