Planted Tank

[stubs]

Hi all,

I have a Roma 240 - T8 80w total lighting 1.3 WPG (not sure if I have worked that out right?) with jbl substrate capped off with black sand. at present it looks like this:



Not great I know but it's a start. Now to my questions, I want to have this tank quite heavenly planted, I believe I will need plants that work in low light as the lighting in the tank is quite low, 1.3 WPG, firstly is this going to be enough for any plants? After reading up it seems very low.

Secondly, using ferts, is it always necessary to dose? I have been reading up on EI but it has left me confused, which to be honest is not hard.

Liquid carbon is this necessary? and what does it actually do, is it the same as injecting c02 or an attempt to get some Co2 into the water?.

Please forgive me for what are probably really stupid questions!

Thanks.

 

[kyleb2003]

Plants vary in their demand for light and nutrients etc, but if you want it heavily planted I'd say you'll be wanting to add some kind of ferts in order to keep them growing healthily as those readily available in your tap water might not be enough, although if that is low light then less ferts are needed.

Best to research some plants you'd like to put in there then find out what their demands are to see if they suit your set up, there are some good guides available through the top of the planted tanks page that should help.

Cracking piece of wood you have there by the look of it though, I'd personally stick some anubias or ferns on there and they're fairly undemanding.

 

[stu40]

Hi
i'm sure you have, but if you haven't, try looking at this.http/www.fishforum...esource-center/
there's a lot to get through, but read up on the "Back to Basics" section.
In short with 1.3WPG you don't have to dose ferts and Co2 to get a heavily planted.You just have to choose the right plants, and be patient.Low tech just means plants take longer to grow.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.Someone will always try to help, maybe not straight away, but help they will.

 

[stubs]

Thanks guys advice and links appreciated