Libe Plants And Bogwood. Need Help Answer Some Questions.

[Judgejudy]

Hi. As most of you guys know i have a 12 gallon long tank with 4 guppies, 1 platy, 2 harlequins and 1 honey dwarf gourami. Recently ive been thinkng to replace my fake plants for real plants and some bogwood ( only a bit ). What do i need to look after bogwood? What do i need to do before putting bogwood into a tank? As for the plants i dont mind using CO2 but prefer not to. An easy to look after plant. I have also heard about having plants in sand, is this true? Do i need to replace my gravel?

Thanks any info will be apreciated.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Bogwood can just have a quick rinse and light scrub with hot water, or you can soak it awhile in a tub first. SOmetimes it can give off tannins which color the water. I don't mind tannins, so I just chuck my wood in.

What lighting do you have? If its not too high, then you shouldn't need co2.

You can plant in gravel. Just consider some root tabs for heavy rooting plants like swords. Stem plants should be fine.

 

[Judgejudy]

Thanks a lot. I dont know about the lighting i will try and find out tomorrow

 

[paulc]

Hi Judgejudy

If when you have added your wood and it leaches tannins, these can be cleared up by adding either activated carbon or purigen. I'm not sure what your LFS has to offer but mine often sell pre-soaked wood which has been in their tanks for a few weeks. Whilst you may pay a little extra for this it means less tannins if thats what your after.

 

[Judgejudy]

Thanks. Heres the lighting: " WAVE solar 230 v - 50hz. 18 w each minute evaporates 15 mm of water "