I’ve had a look round the forum and other websites but I’m looking for specific answers and advice on the following. I'm such a newbie.
I’m more interested in having and maintaining a planted aquarium rather than fish keeping. Of course I intend to have some fish, however not many. My tank is 120ltr and I’m using an external filter which can filter up to 180ltrs.
Last time I did a tank I put an inch deep of fertilizer, CO2 bottle (the one where you mix your own and have to change it every few weeks). I completely lost control of the tank, the plants grew so so fast within in 3 weeks they were dirty and so was the tank. I took most of the plants out and kept one or two to get the nitrate levels ? correct.
Anyways I’m going to have another go and this time going to do plenty of research before diving in.
So my questions are as followed, if you can answer any of them please do:
1) How do I keep the plants looking green and the tank from going dirty
2) How do I keep the plants, gravel and rocks from going slimy and Algae free?
3) What exactly is the job of a powerhead?
4) Do I actually need fertilizer or can I just mix sand and gravel together
5) Buying plants off ebay…. Do I or don’t I?
6) Could anyone give me some good links to information on planted aquarium set up and maintenance guides (video’s would be great)?
7) A list of essential items/equipments needed for planted aquariums
8) substrate where is the best place to buy this?
9) I've seen plenty of youtube video's of planted tanks and they all have the little oxygen bubbles, which i'm guessing is key to have a planted tank. Do these bubbles come from a CO2 bottle ?
10) Under gravel filter... is this necessary or not?
Thanks in advance, every1 has to start somewhere
I’m more interested in having and maintaining a planted aquarium rather than fish keeping. Of course I intend to have some fish, however not many. My tank is 120ltr and I’m using an external filter which can filter up to 180ltrs.
Last time I did a tank I put an inch deep of fertilizer, CO2 bottle (the one where you mix your own and have to change it every few weeks). I completely lost control of the tank, the plants grew so so fast within in 3 weeks they were dirty and so was the tank. I took most of the plants out and kept one or two to get the nitrate levels ? correct.
Anyways I’m going to have another go and this time going to do plenty of research before diving in.
So my questions are as followed, if you can answer any of them please do:
1) How do I keep the plants looking green and the tank from going dirty
2) How do I keep the plants, gravel and rocks from going slimy and Algae free?
3) What exactly is the job of a powerhead?
4) Do I actually need fertilizer or can I just mix sand and gravel together
5) Buying plants off ebay…. Do I or don’t I?
6) Could anyone give me some good links to information on planted aquarium set up and maintenance guides (video’s would be great)?
7) A list of essential items/equipments needed for planted aquariums
8) substrate where is the best place to buy this?
9) I've seen plenty of youtube video's of planted tanks and they all have the little oxygen bubbles, which i'm guessing is key to have a planted tank. Do these bubbles come from a CO2 bottle ?
10) Under gravel filter... is this necessary or not?
Thanks in advance, every1 has to start somewhere
