New Tank Advice

[razorkai]

Guys.

I am going to set-up a Juwel Rio 180 litre planted tank soon and I would like some advice regarding how to get the best out of the plants I buy. I have spent a few days reading all the various posts and articles but it is quite confusing as there is a lot to take in. I am going to use play sand as my substrate and have decided against using any sort of nutrient rich substance beneath it as I have read that over time it it impossible to stop it from mixing in with the sand and spoiling the appearance.

The tank has 2 45w bulbs and according to my calculations that means I will have 1.89 WPG. This puts me into the low light level category and as far as I can tell means I don't need Co2 injection. My question is what do I need? Will I need to use fertilisers or will the fish produce enough nutrients. I am intending to have a well stocked tank and have the lights on from about 4 PM to 12 PM. I will be using a Tetratec EX700 filter and a Hydor external heater.

Any thoughts on what I would need to dose?

TIA.

 

[aaronnorth]

The lights may be needed on for another 2hr (to make it 10) but it depends, Just dose trace elements, a good product to use is seachem flourish or TPN (tropica plant nutrition). TPN+ also contains added N & P and as far as i'm concerened it is the best product out.

You could also dose trace by dry ferts available from aqua essentials, it is a cheaper way, take a look at the pinned EI guide to calculate how much you need to dose, although this may not be the best route for a beginner - and you say you are pretty confused already

 

[razorkai]

The lights may be needed on for another 2hr (to make it 10) but it depends, Just dose trace elements, a good product to use is seachem flourish or TPN (tropica plant nutrition). TPN+ also contains added N & P and as far as i'm concerened it is the best product out.

You could also dose trace by dry ferts available from aqua essentials, it is a cheaper way, take a look at the pinned EI guide to calculate how much you need to dose, although this may not be the best route for a beginner - and you say you are pretty confused already

Thanks for the info. I just checked out the Tropica website and for TPN is says
"We therefore recommend PLANT NUTRITION liquid for aquariums with few plants and a relatively large number of fish."

and for TPN+ is says
"PLANT NUTRITION+ liquid is suitable for aquariums with many plants in relation to the number of fish"

Neither seems to match up to my plan of lots of fish and lots of plants. Any thoughts?

 

[aaronnorth]

TPN might be better, if you have a high fish load then that should supplement your nitrates (N), i wouldn't worry to much about phosphates either (P) so having TPN+ would be a bit pointless. The standard tropica will be ok and you will be adding pottasium (K) plus other elemtns like iron, magnesium, copper etc so this should be ok.

If you are having lots of plants then daily fertilising will be better than weekly because it encourages plant growth by dosing small but often and there will be enough for the plants but not to much for algae to take over.

If dosing daily, 7ml will be ok (adjust it depending on plant load)