Plant Hell

[Pixietina]

I have a 20 gallon tank and wanted it all nicely planted and a few nice fish however,
I have read by just placing plants into the tank the PH may rise in which im keeping rams so i don't want the PH rising.
ive read up about co2 systems but its all very expensive and the DIY ones just confuse the heck out of me (natural blonde)

are there any alternatives??
thanks in advance

 

[ian]

It can, but only will do it at a minute amount, but there are other things to consider, what lighting do you have in the aquarium? If the light is low, then the demand for C02 is also low, minimising the acid removal by the buffer, incurred when photosynthesis happens. If you get me...the thing is, many fish really don't mind a PH change, especially the amount that happens in a planted tank.

 

[Katty]

You can use "Flourish Excel" liquid carbon instead of CO2. In some situations actual CO2 might be more suitable but I think it would work for yours. I've been using it in my 20 gallon tank, I could probably get more impressive results with actual CO2 but I just don't want to deal with the hassle.

I haven't noticed a pH change in my tank since going planted... At least not enough to register on the test.

 

[ian]

like i say, it is almost minute, but it does happen. Not enough to affect GBR's or Discus.

 

[Pixietina]

i cant remember what lighting it is, but i bought it especially as it said it made plants more healthy and promotes photosynthesis,

i was looking at ebay and they have a group of 10 plants for cheap figured id get some is 10 ok ??

 

[coldcazzie]

depends on if they are all aquatic plants, or if some of them aren't. If they aren't then they will simply rot in your tank (very slowly, over a few months) and pollute the water. Trust me - that will have more of an effect on the fish than any slight pH rises that would happen in a planted tank!

 

[Pixietina]

theyre aqautic

so i wont need co2 thing then??

you know what some of these sites are like you look for info and they feed you with rubbish just so you spend loads of money on them.
so a few plants is ok then ?
x

 

[coldcazzie]

If you have just 10 plants then I doubt you will have any need for any ferts or co2 no.

And you'd probably be better to post the link to the plant bundle on here so that someone can make sure. It does happen that they say "aquatic plants" and then they turn out to be spider plants or dracaena or something. I'm no plants expert so I wouldn't be able to tell you what they are (I cant even ID my own plants!) but someone else will definitely be able to confirm their aquatic suitability and tell you whether it's a good deal or not

 

[Pixietina]

heres the advert
ebay

 

[ian]

as cazzie states, there is some non aquatic plants in that bundle picture. Just be careful what you buy.