Moving On

[WeeManDan]

My CO2 is now set up nicely currently around 12ppm but rising and the Amazon Sword, Vallis, Java Fern and Hygro Polysperma are all growing much better now having started around 1.2ppm! I'm also dosing weekly with Interpet Flora boost.

So my question is what plants to add to the foreground, I have some Java Moss but TBH grows to slowly for my liking. I fancy a couple of "feature" plants and some form of carpeting plant.

FWIW the lighting is currently at 18W to 12 Gallons and I suspect I need to replace the tube that is in there as it is more than a year old and add to the lighting rig anyway. Also the water is very hard, 16+

Thanks for any advice,

WeeManDan

 

[Themuleous]

I guess the main question here is do you want to do EI or not? To get the carpet you'll need 3/4WPG and with that much light you'll have to do EI to stop the aglae taking over.

If you do then you'll need to upgrade your ligths, but you'll also need a rich plant substrate and to dose ferts and trace mix each day. However if not then 1.5WPG should be ok for most plants, but you probably wont be able to grow the carpet.

Sam

 

[WeeManDan]

EI? Huh?

The substrate is sand adding ferts I'll have to uproot the whole thing?

Cheers

WMD

 

[Themuleous]

EI = Estimative Index, there is a pinned article on it at the top of the planted forum. Its well worth a read, probably several, it can be a bit tricky to get your head round!

Its your best bet if you want a nice carpet of plants without massive aglae probelms!

 

[WeeManDan]

Read the EI article, very informative but to say I am daunted a bit by putting "raw" chemicles into a tank is an understatement! However looking at one of the links the following dosage looks about right:


10- 20 Gallon Aquariums
+/- 1/8 tsp KN03 (N) 3x a week
+/- 1/32 tsp KH2P04 (P) 3x a week
+/- 1/32 tsp (2ml) Trace Elements 3x a week
50% weekly water change

Any input/help/advice would be good.

Especially if there is any way in which the chemicals all come in one nice compound that I cant possibly screw up!

Cheers

WMD

 

[Themuleous]

Haha dont be put off by EI is a breeze once you get the hang of it, I promise. I only started my first tank a few months ago and I think Ive got it all under control already. If I can do it anyone can!

The schedule looks ok, but I would probably say set the tank up and test it regularly for the first few weeks and make up your own schedule. No two tanks are the same, and you'll need to vary the amount depending on many factors, such as what plants you have, if you're adding NO3 and/or PO4 during water changes, etc.

Sam

 

[WeeManDan]

Cheers, bet you can guess my next question!

Where to get it all?

Cheers

WMD

 

[Luke_e]

I think this is it:
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...310efd5f22c4f46
?

 

[Themuleous]

Aquaessentials

PS where abouts in oxford are you? I work over near the BWM plant (not at the plant though) and live down near Kingston Bagpuize PM if you dont want the others on here finding out, I dont trust them either

 

[WeeManDan]

Shipton-on-Cherwell, on the outskirts of Kidlington, as you go towards Banbury.

Guess you usually use the Goldfish Bowl then?

Cheers

WeeManDan

 

[Themuleous]

I do indeed, pretty much live there! I have tried to introduce them to EI but not sure if they took the hint or not. Ill have to remind them