Planted Tank Advice

[silverfish101]

Hey everyone,

I just bought some plants for my 10 gallon tank. I bought red cambomba, baby tears, and golden something-or-other. Sorry, I forgot what it was called. I have a dual t-5 light fixture, about 3.5 watts per gallon. I have liquid CO2, iron, and Flourish fertalizers. The tank has 5 head and tail light tetras. I am wondering, is there any other equipment I may need to purchase, and if anyone has any advice on running a planted tank in general, I would be grateful.

Thanks,
Silverfish101

 

[ian]

3.5 watt per gallon is quite a lot for just liquid carbon, you may find it's not enough. We would normally suggest with t5 lighting this high, pressurised C02 is the way to go. Also when using carbon supplements it's always good to use some macro ferts ie Nitrate and Phosphate.

 

[silverfish101]

Well, I have considered pressurized CO2, but that's pretty expensive, isn't it? I have a rather low budget at the moment. Also, I didn't know that lighting affected how you administer your CO2. I believe the Flourish fertilizer contains nitrate and Phosphate. Thanks for the advice.

Silverfish101

 

[SO19Firearms]

I didn't know that lighting affected how you administer your CO2. I believe the Flourish fertilizer contains nitrate and Phosphate.

Higher lighting means a greater need for CO2 - Trying to cater for that need with DIY might be were a potential problem lies.

I believe the Flourish fertilizer contains nitrate and Phosphate.

Seachem flourish does but in super super super tiny amounts. By super super super tiny I mean as trace as the trace elements it contains, which are supposed to be trace. NPK is supposed to be macro.

IMO





(That's not to say S.C Flourish is bad, it's a great trace mix. You just need the S.C. Phosphorous, S.C. Nitrogen and S.C. Potassium to go with it - Like Easylife, just as good and cheaper too (in the UK))

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Or just buy yourself some TPN+

 

[silverfish101]

Thank you all for your help. I will look into some macro fertilizers then, and hopefully eventually get some pressurized CO2. Also, is algae going to be much of a problem in my tank, what with the lights and fertilizers, or will the plants keep that from happening?

Thanks,
Silverfish101

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Depends on whether you have good flow.