New To Plants! Loads Of Questions :)

[kevin007]

I have a bunch of random questions regarding converting my tank into a planted one.


1. How do i determine how many of each plant i need for a certain lush feeling that i am looking for? So for example. how many java ferns do i need to fill in the left back corner of a 55 gallon.

2. I often see plants in ,my lfs that have some yellow leaves on it. Do i cut it off?

3. If it comes with snails, should i get rid of it? Lets say they are mts, and i have an open top tank. Will they climb out?

I placed an order on Dr. Foster and Smith, i plan on upgrading everything, lets see if i got every thing needed to

Ehiem Pro II Kits 2028 kit $249.99

Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights 48" - 216 watts $197.99
Includes docking mounts and Slimpaq 460nm Actinic and 10000°K T-5 HO lamps.
Is this light good? It says it comes with 4 "lunar lights" Bad?

Flourite Black Sand 15.4 lbs $21.99 x4
Good amount? I plan on making a "beach" with play sand

Flourish Tabs 10 tabs $6.49
Is there a better alternative

Liquid Plant Packs Fundamentals Kit $7.99
Liquid Plant Packs Enhancer Kit $7.99
fundamentals Kit includes Flourish, Flourish Iron, and Flourish Excel. Enhancer Kit includes Flourish Nitrogen, Flourish Phosphorus, and Flourish Potassium. 100 ml each.

^ Thats the description, Do need both the fundamentals and enhancer kit? How long will 100 mL last for a 55 Gallon tank?

Aquatic Forceps 10" Curved Tip $4.99
Aquatic Tissue Scissors 8" long $5.99
CO2 Diffuser Glass $19.99

Ammonia Alert Device Single $5.99
pH Alert Internal pH Monitor $4.79
^ these are the seachem internal "alert" monitors, anyone have any experince with them? Are they useful?

Came to a total of $611.65

I have a Co2 tank that i will get else where, other then that, am i set? My budget is a thousand bucks, i hope i have enough left for fish.

Oh and what are the main test kits that will be needed for a planted tank?

for fish, i will keep...

60 Cardinal tetras
15 Otos
load of cories because I love em
Maybe 30 ish rummynose tetras

Over stocked?

thanks for the help guys, I'll add more questions once i think of them.

 

[Colin_T]

For big plants like swordplants you only need one or two, depending on tank size. For narrow plants like Ambulia & Vallis you should get 6 or more so they look more dense.

Plants with yellow leaves can be suffering from iron deficiency or they re marsh plants shedding their leaves due to being stuck under water. Any leaves that come off the plant should be removed form the tank so they don't add to the nutrient load on the filters.
Marsh plants are able to support their own weight when removed from water. True aquatic plants are unable to support their own weight when taken out of water. Hygrophillas, swordplants & Crypts are exceptions and will grow in marsh conditions or under water.

MTS won't climb out of tanks but can be a problem when their numbers get out of control. I personally don't like them but many people do. The choice is yours, if you want them keep them, otherwise rinse all plants before adding to your tank. Once they get into a tank they are virtually impossible to get rid of.

You can use a blue light for a night light. These come in standard fluoro sizes and fit into normal fluoro light units. High output T5 globes are worth getting as they produce bright light. Standard T5 globes are worth having.

Don't bother about the scissors or forceps. Just stick your arm in the tank to plant the plants. Any pr of scissors or a sharp knife can be used fro trimming plants.

The main test kits you want include ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, PH & iron. You can get a carbonate (KH) & general hardness (GH) test kit if you want.

 

[aaronnorth]

1. How do i determine how many of each plant i need for a certain lush feeling that i am looking for? So for example. how many java ferns do i need to fill in the left back corner of a 55 gallon.

like colin says, it depends on the plant, and what size coverage you are after

2. I often see plants in ,my lfs that have some yellow leaves on it. Do i cut it off?

cut them off, rotting leaves leach nutrients & ammonia in the water

3. If it comes with snails, should i get rid of it? Lets say they are mts, and i have an open top tank. Will they climb out?

you can get rid of the snails, they may climb out

Get a test kit for ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate - gh & kh are optional.

Blue lights promote algae growtha nd are more for marine, i would saty away fom these and stick to the tubes designed for plant growth - spectrum peaking in the red, green & bit of blue with a Kelvin between 5500k - 11 000k

A pair of tweesers always come in handy, a lot easier than using your hands.