My First Real Planted Tank

[Man of fish]

Thank you

I'm thinking I may get the sand in here and get the hardscape going before I go on vacation, then once I get back get the plants ordered up and start with that part of things.

 

[RossC]

Thank you

I'm thinking I may get the sand in here and get the hardscape going before I go on vacation, then once I get back get the plants ordered up and start with that part of things.

Definitely! I'm very impatient when it comes to setting up new tanks LOL I wouldn't have even thought about it.
We also need some photos too when its scaped

 

[Man of fish]

Definately!

 

[Man of fish]

I gave in and put in the sand
It's a bit deep at about 2" all around with a very tiny slope right to left. It looks good though. I also put in the hardscape, but I'm not sure if I like it. I'm getting another piece of wood I think will work better. Pics once it clears up.

 

[FishFanatic04]

2" is good for plants. I sometimes have up to 4" in the back of the tank, which is extreme. Lotta gases build up, so I use a chopstick to mush it up. 2" will be easier to manage.

 

[Man of fish]

Yeah it looks good, just seems a bit deep in a 11" high tank I need to get it planted. This sponge filter is an ugly little thing. Gotta cover it by plants. Gotta wait til I'm back from vacation though not sure if I'll have Internet access up there or not, so just bear with me.

 

[Man of fish]

The tank has now mostly cleared up so here's a picture. Not sure if I love the hardscape........

 

[RossC]

Looks like a promising start can't wait for some greenery

 

[Man of fish]

The guppies grew a TON while I was away! Now time to order the plants and I think a new piece of driftwood. This one just isn't working for me, maybe if it's planted it will but well see. Now here comes the work!

 

[RossC]

Looking forward to seeing it, how was your trip?

 

[Man of fish]

It was good!

I'm planning to order the ferts then once they arrive I'll order the plants

 

[Man of fish]

Ordered 500 ml of flourish excel, 1 lb of CSM+B, 1 lb of K2SO4, and 1 lb of KH2PO4. So I'm new to ferts so how do I dose this? And do I mix them together (other than the flourish) and do I need like a 500 ml feet dispenser? Any others I'll need?

 

[FishFanatic04]

THe KNO3 is more important than the K2SO4. Hate to tell ya, most people don't even need K2S04 as it is a little overload on the Potassium with the K2P04 and KNO3. KNO3 is actually the fert that will will dose the most of.

DId you order those from Bob;s? I wouls pop an email and ask to switch to the KNO3.

 

[FishFanatic04]

You don't need a dispenser. I personally measure my dosage each morning and mix it with a little water. The CSM+B should be on alternating days. You can add the K2S04. Just because I am not using it doesn't mean you shouldn't. I may actually add it in, I'm worried lately that I am missing something with a few plants.
I bought a little Gram weight on Ebay, superrrrr cheap. Makes everything super simple. You can just dose in the morning when you feed your fish.

Like this:

Monday: KNO3+ KH2P04

Tuesday: CSM+B

Wednesday: KNO3+ KH2P04

Thursday: CSM+B

Friday : KNO3+ KH2P04

Saturday: Rest {unless my plants look deficient anywhere...

Sunday :Rest--------Sunday Night : 50% Water Change {50% is important with this fert schedule, it removes excess fertilizer}


Monday: Start over...



Estimative Index

 

[Man of fish]

Ok. The KNO3 is only $2.50 and I'm waiting for him to add the flourish to his site so I can add that to my order, so I'll just add that to my order. And I was looking for something that would be more self- sustainting vs EI but if that's not possible, EI it is.

How often should I dose the flourish?