Looking To Improve My Planted Tank

[sammclean23]

Hi All,
 
Had my Juwel Rio 180 set up now for nearly 2 years and just looking to improve it. Plants have been growing steadily but I've noticed they are slowing down and do seem to be getting munched a bit by my algae eaters.
 
When looking for new plants, I've realised a lot of the best looking (carpet and foreground plants) require a different substrate. From the pic, it's clear mine is literally just a layer of large gravel. I can't imagine having to do a complete change just to get another layer in there? Any ideas from that front?
 
Other than that, I think a black gravel would look amazing, however again, the job of doing this would involve disturbing rooted plants etc. And for a tank of this size I imagine would be a huge job?
 
Any advice would be much appreciated
 

 
 
 
 

 

[daizeUK]

What ferts are you adding to the tank?
 
I personally believe that substrate is a minor secondary consideration after ferts, flow and lighting.  My first thought would be to improve your ferts/CO2/liquid carbon before uprooting all your plants.  The chances are that your plants just need more nutrients to support the extra growth they've been doing.

 

[evan47]

you could try leaving the existing gravel in the tank while clearing a small trough along the front and side edges, then filling it with black gravel.
then using a small scoop made from a piece of stiff, thin plastic gradually layer more of the new black gravel over the old gravel until the old stuff is covered.
then you could try fitting a plain black background to the outer back pane of the tank. (i made one from matt black paper). this is great for blending in you filter and cables.
then you can look around for a black colored heater which will also blend in rather nicely.
adding some taller background plants will look great too.
get some moss balls, squeeze them out and then pull some large pieces off them stretch them out and give them a gentle push into the gravel so they dont move.
personally, i would remove any man made ornaments and replace them with natural bogwood or such like.
for your existing plants to grow try a little pruning, perhaps take some of the pruned off pieces and use them as cuttings.
root tabs or liquid fertiliser will help to get them growing if needs be.
almond leaves, or catapa/black water extract can be used to add tannins to the water tainting it a little to give a less harsh lighting effect can give good results and create a more natural environment for your fish.
all or a combination of some of the above will transform your already nice tank into a really nice tank.
they are not too hard on the pocket and rather pleasing to do. 
i have employed all of these methods (apart from the extra gravel as mine was black in the first place) and love the results, my fish do too!

 

[sammclean23]

What ferts are you adding to the tank?
 
I personally believe that substrate is a minor secondary consideration after ferts, flow and lighting.  My first thought would be to improve your ferts/CO2/liquid carbon before uprooting all your plants.  The chances are that your plants just need more nutrients to support the extra growth they've been doing.

Thanks mate. I've not even began fertisiling etc yet so that could be a good idea. I was just under the impression the substrate was most important, though I keep forgetting a lot of aquarium plants only use the roots for stablisation and not for nutrients.
 

you could try leaving the existing gravel in the tank while clearing a small trough along the front and side edges, then filling it with black gravel.
then using a small scoop made from a piece of stiff, thin plastic gradually layer more of the new black gravel over the old gravel until the old stuff is covered.
then you could try fitting a plain black background to the outer back pane of the tank. (i made one from matt black paper). this is great for blending in you filter and cables.
then you can look around for a black colored heater which will also blend in rather nicely.
adding some taller background plants will look great too.
get some moss balls, squeeze them out and then pull some large pieces off them stretch them out and give them a gentle push into the gravel so they dont move.
personally, i would remove any man made ornaments and replace them with natural bogwood or such like.
for your existing plants to grow try a little pruning, perhaps take some of the pruned off pieces and use them as cuttings.
root tabs or liquid fertiliser will help to get them growing if needs be.
almond leaves, or catapa/black water extract can be used to add tannins to the water tainting it a little to give a less harsh lighting effect can give good results and create a more natural environment for your fish.
all or a combination of some of the above will transform your already nice tank into a really nice tank.
they are not too hard on the pocket and rather pleasing to do. 
i have employed all of these methods (apart from the extra gravel as mine was black in the first place) and love the results, my fish do too!

Good idea! Sounds possible to add a new layer in by doing it this way. Time consuming but no more time consuming than emptying a well established tank.
 
Not sure if you can tell from the pic but the heater is built into the filter unit on the right so is already well hidden
 
Good idea with the moss balls! Will get some ordered.
 
What should I do with dying leaves? Just literally chop and get rid?

 

[evan47]

yes, just get rid of any dead leaves if they are bothering you. i usually leave some leaf litter on the floor of the tank to give a more natural look. as long as any debris doesnt float around and block your filter intake you should be ok but keep testing your parameters just in case they let off nitrates.
i have a rather heavily planted tank with silicon coated gravel which is not considered ideal for rooting plants but i do not have any problems so you should be ok.
just go easy with any ferts. start with say half a dose every other day for two weeks or more instead of a full dose every day and see how they get along.
also keep the water at the recommended temperature for the plants as too high a temp can give problems. 
i have not looked back since fitting a black background and live plants to my tank along with bogwood. it is far more pleasing than the plastic decor i formerly had in there and aids filtration too.

 

[sammclean23]

yes, just get rid of any dead leaves if they are bothering you. i usually leave some leaf litter on the floor of the tank to give a more natural look. as long as any debris doesnt float around and block your filter intake you should be ok but keep testing your parameters just in case they let off nitrates.
i have a rather heavily planted tank with silicon coated gravel which is not considered ideal for rooting plants but i do not have any problems so you should be ok.
just go easy with any ferts. start with say half a dose every other day for two weeks or more instead of a full dose every day and see how they get along.
also keep the water at the recommended temperature for the plants as too high a temp can give problems. 
i have not looked back since fitting a black background and live plants to my tank along with bogwood. it is far more pleasing than the plastic decor i formerly had in there and aids filtration too.

Thanks for this mate I think you've given me the kick I need to do it. I personally believe black gravel brings out the colour in fish and plants much more than lighter colours.
 
The only fertiliser I've used is a quite a generic one and advise donly redosing after 2 weeks. Must be highly concentrated or something...
 
Thanks again, I appreciate the help