I Want To Go Planted!

[BIG BAD BARRY]

My tank has been established for seven months now but i want to now provide a more natural looking habitat for the fish.
My stock list in the signature below has only changed a bit. I lost one Lake Kutubu Rainbow fish, probably because it was the only female and one rummy nose tetra. The snails all died in one go which i think may have been due to some expose metal on one of the fake plants as none of the fish were affected. The golden apple snail in my other tank is fine and was from the same LFS.
The molly numbers have increased possibly tripled due to breeding but i will be replacing most of them with similar or smaller sized fish.

I am aiming for a low tech setup so that i dont need to use co2 and remove every bit of fake planting.

The tank is 350L and has 4 T5 lights in pairs. I only use one pair and intend to continue with that when planted. They are 54w each.

The tank holds somewhere between 300 to 350 litres so i think thats 1.17 to 1.36 watts/g.
The tubes are daylight and nature. There is a reflector on ne of tubes but this can easily be removed.

I have gravel substrate and was wondering if i could go down the road of placing roots tabs in the substrate rather than changing the substrate?

The filter has a filled flow rate of 1100 l/hour so would be looking to get a Koralia to up the overall turnover to 10x.

I have several small java fern which have slowly grown from pantlets and a load of marimo moss balls.

The tank has a window to one side so i have covered the one end of the tank. I have seen the odd spot of green algae on the glass when the sun is strong but nothing more.

Because of this i am considering a triangle type scape rather than a central display.

i have been reading PARC and other info and designing a few layouts which i will try and post sometime.

- Anything wrong with my initial plans?

- Any suggestions from experience for plants for this type of low tech setup and current type of fish?

 

[RadaR]

Thank you for doing some background reading. Makes life easier. Got to love the PARC section.

Everything sounds fine. I'd personally remove the reflector. We want to limit the light so that we dont have to use CO2.

Hygrophila species
Ludwigia species
Amazon swords
Anubias
Mosses
Aponogetons

Root tabs are fine to use. I reccomend these. Unlike most root tabs (which contain only micro nutrients), these are packed with all the nutrients needed.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Thanks RadaR.
Will be using the rear pair of lights as i do at the moment.

I have seen some plants in pots and some wrapped in sponge with weights around. I take it they can stay like that or be seperated if needed?

 

[ian]

The potted plants are best Barry, they are more established and have better root structures.

have a look at this regarding planting.

 

[minnnt]

Most stem plants sold in bunches are just cuttings, but most do root quite quickly due to the nature of the plant itself. Hornwort for one grows like the clappers and will be rooted in no time! The potted plants are far superior though. You get what you pay for!

Have fun!

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Thanks Ianho.
One of my LFS have stopped doing potted because they were too expensive.

I think this time i will probably buy from LFS as i will be able see exactly what i am getting and to also to keep supporting them.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Good point minnnt!
I guess like gardening, the quality and size of the roots is important when buying.

i will definitely be getting some Hygrophila difformis. I like the look of it.
Was thinking of using as background?

 

[minnnt]

No experience of that particular one mate, but i bought some unrooted Vallis and it has done very very well, and is great for backgrounds.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Still planning things!

Just one other question - is my current fish stock too much for low tech?
I do intend to remove the livebearers and replace them with small fish but the others especially the bristlenoses are poo machines!
Most of the info i read tends to suggest small fish or a small number of fish to prevent algae out breaks.
Should i be looking at reducing the organic build up also as a result of poo?

 

[SLIM]

Actually il think your find hornwort has no roots which is why people use it as a floater

No i dont think your need to reduce your stock as long as your water parameters are fine.
Low Tech relies on fish waste really for nitrates and phosphates.

As for good easy fast growing background plants, how about..

Cabomba aquatica
Water Wisteria
Ambulia Aquatica

I have all of these and i chop em all back weekly so if you ever want any cuttings i can definately donate. My plants grow like the clappers

 

[minnnt]

My Hornwort had roots and grew like wild fire.

I would say your stocking is ok mate, should look great!!!

 

[SLIM]

My Hornwort had roots and grew like wild fire.

I would say your stocking is ok mate, should look great!!!

It wasnt hornwort then seriously. Ask anyone. Google it