New plant set up, please help!!!!

[Kieron1]

Hello

I am soon to be setting up a new aquarium. This is my third tank but will be the first time I have taken it seriously. My tank is over 4 foot long and I am looking to spend a lot on plants and know they can be difficult to keep alive.

Recently in my local stockist the shop assistant pointed out some special gravel (can't remember its name) which apparently feeds the plants. Its expensive - £25 for a large bag. Can anyone tell me if this works or if its just a gimmick?
Also, how long does plant food last for (the stuff you bury in the gravel)
And finally do Co2 units work well with feeding the plants?

I would appreciate any help!

Kind regards

Kieron

 

[zig]

Hiya Kieron

What type of lighting are you useing as this will really determine what you can grow successfully, what is the volume of your tank and how many watts per gallon do you have, and basically any other relevant info to help us get you started.

A good substrate is probably one of the most important things in a planted tank, so no its not a gimmick, and co2 will help plant growth no end, and it may be essential depending on your lighting setup.

 

[Kieron1]

Hiya Kieron

What type of lighting are you useing as this will really determine what you can grow successfully, what is the volume of your tank and how many watts per gallon do you have, and basically any other relevant info to help us get you started.

A good substrate is probably one of the most important things in a planted tank, so no its not a gimmick, and co2 will help plant growth no end, and it may be essential depending on your lighting setup.

[snapback]869187[/snapback]​

Hello

Thanks for the reply!
To be honest I can't really comment on volume etc. as I bought it from work. I've basically got over a grands worth of a equiptment and its a whopping tank. As well as it being long there is width and plenty of depth to it to. Inside the hood there are 3 or 4 lighting tubes so it will be nice and bright. I will also will be using a fluval 304 external filter. Is there any media available that helps plant growth?

 

[jimbooo]

if that gravel stuff is laterite (which sounds about right for the price) get it. it'll make a huge difference to the tank in the long run.

you need to give us more detail on the tank or we cant help you. unaccurate advise will be the result and you'll never quite know what to do.

volume can be calculated using the pinned calculators, in beginners section i think. wattage is simple, read the wattage printed on your bulbs add it up and divide by number of gallons.

2.5 watts per gallon (WPG) is a good starting point. under that and you'll struggle to get good growth, especially with a big deep tank. the deeper it is the weaker the light is by the time it gets to the bottom!

the kelvin (K) rating of the bulbs is also paramount to a good set up, also the spectrum. that is harder to work out unless it says on the packaging. generally blue light grows algae so avoid actnitic (SP?) tubes and aim for 4000-7500K so long as the spectrum doesn't peak too much in the blue area.

hope that helps