Newbie Asking About Low Tech Plants, And The Effect On Bio Load

[Squeegeatc]

I have an empty 55 gallon tank.  The first fish will be introduced tomorrow.  I'm doing a modifed fish-in cycle, with bio media and a wait time.
 
So far, we have all fake crap.   Including the stupid house with bubbling "smoke" that the husband has always dreamed of having.   I'd like to g more natural, and use some low tech plants.   I don't have the energy for CO2, fancy lights, etc.  But I LOVE the look of real stuff.  If I did a few Java ferns, and Amazon swords, how would that affect the bio load?   I'm thinking of adding these plants slowly, after all the fish have been added and proper schools created.  I don't want to over populate my tank if the plants will add to the load.
 
I will be doing a LOT more research before making the final decision.   But this plastic stuff looks like crap. 
 
Thanks in advance!
-Squeek

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

You are in luck! The plants will do nothing to the bioload if you pick off melting and dead leaves every other day or so. They will actually help with it, by using ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. They will also not effect your pH in any way.

As for plants, most swords grow very very large. These guys also like a bit of iron in the substrate, which you can get from red clay.

Crypts are very easy, low loving plants. The sizes of these vary greatly depending on the specific plant.

Anubias and java fern are very slow growers, and love being tied to driftwood or rocks. If you bury the rhizome of the plant, which is located just above the roots, they will rot.

Vallis is a very easy plant. Things like Jungle Val and Red Jungle Val will grow to the surface of the tank and lay over it. You have to be careful not to bury all of the white crown on these plants, or these will also melt.

If you want to get a bunch of cheap plants and fertilizers, bamaplants.com is the site. They sell oscomote tabs, which are an all-in-one fertilizer tab you just stick in the substrate. I have ordered from them. The plants came in great condition, and were very cheap. I hope I dont sound like I am working for them

 

[Squeegeatc]

LOL   You salesman, you!! 

 
I am thinking 2 ways......1st, I HATE the background ugly part.   I'd love some tall "curtains" to hide the intake/bubble tubes/heater.    2nd, I may take the existing 10 gallon and make a nano of sorts to experiment.   But I'm not totally sold on that idea, because of space.  right now the coffee table is shoved into a corner for the 10 gallon, because the 55 took the other table!!   I'm NOT happy with my living room right now!  LOL
 
The sword----in a 55 gallon tank, won't that be a good thing?  I don't really like the OMGOSH overgrown jungle tanks.   But I want something more than nasty plastic. 

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

The swords would look great in a 55g, but there are many types. Figure out the ones you like, and come back to us for advice. At least, thats how I do everything

If you dont like the backround, take out as much water as you can, pull the tank from the wall, spread some mineral oil, conola oil, or vegetable oil onto the the tank, cut a black trashbag to the size of the tank, smooth out with a credit card, and tape down all edges. This sounds alot harder then it is, if you want to see how it was done I can post the link to my journal (also, you can read it, and give me feedback

) where I did this on my 15g tank.

I hope I have helped you!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Ummm, just a quick technical correction- plants don't use nitrite.
 
And some additional info, Crypts, like sword plants, also like substrate ferts. This is not just iron, they need other ferts there as well. You can find dwarf swords such as compacta or parva. Most swords tend to get big, some not as big as others. Amazons get huge. Here is a great way to learn about easy plants. click on any plant to see the info http/www.tropica.com/en/plants/difficulty/easy.aspx
 
Also look at the Tropica ABC link.

 

[Stimo]

Ummm, just a quick technical correction- plants don't use nitrite.
 
And some additional info, Crypts, like sword plants, also like substrate ferts. This is not just iron, they need other ferts there as well. You can find dwarf swords such as compacta or parva. Most swords tend to get big, some not as big as others. Amazons get huge. Here is a great way to learn about easy plants. click on any plant to see the info http/www.tropica.com/en/plants/difficulty/easy.aspx
 
Also look at the Tropica ABC link.

 
excellent link thanks for that

 

[Squeegeatc]

So I have decided to toss in a wisteria this weekend and see how it goes.   I think it will be a slow SLOW transition to planted.  I appreciate the help!!   
 
Oil in a fishtank   sounds scary!!!!  I liked the styrofoam 3D backdrop, though!!!  I saw that here somewhere.   Something to consider at least!!!

 

[Freedom]

LOL, I think the oil and the black plastic trash bag are on the OUTSIDE of the back of the tank!  The reason to remove water, is to make it easier to move the tank out from the wall, so you can work back there.

 

[Squeegeatc]

That makes a bit more sense! LOL   I didn't consider that.  Does the oil make it stick?   I may need to look into this.
 
Kinda funny---I'm a quilter.  I have SERIOUSLY considered making a quilted applique backdrop!  lol 
 
Husband says no 

  Party pooper! 

 

[Freedom]

Go ahead, do it! 

  I have this image in my head now, going to be carrying THAT around with me all day! 

 

[Squeegeatc]

LOL   I havn't been able to get the idea out my head.   It's gonna happen.   As soon as I get all these other quilts off the docket, at least!

 

[fluttermoth]

That makes a bit more sense! LOL   I didn't consider that.  Does the oil make it stick?   I may need to look into this.
 
Kinda funny---I'm a quilter.  I have SERIOUSLY considered making a quilted applique backdrop!  lol 
 
Husband says no 

  Party pooper! 

Oh, I'd ignore hubby on that one; I'm sure you could do something awesome as a background with quilting/applique! Get some good gnarly fabrics in rocky colours, really, it could work!