Re-aquascaping, got some questions??

[ghent_3rd]

Hi there everyone, long time since I posted last due to job but really starting to look at my fish in a different light now!!

I am looking at re-aquascaping this weeka nd adding some new fish from Wharf Aquatics on Thursday and would just like a bit of advice really!!

Firstly, the tank has been set-up a year and all readings are "A" O.K. However, the one large newbie error I made ayear ago was to put in pea gravel, and not very deep at that, as a substrate!! I am a big Corydoras fan and now realise this probably is not great but you live and learn.

Anyway, I am looking at putting some real plants in because all I have is plastic at the minute. Firstly I would like to add some substrate of some form over the top of my gravel in parts so that I could create different levels in the tank and plant some plants straight into the substrate, what substrate would you advise and is this feasible?? Bearing in mind there will still be fish in the tank while I am doing this but I should be able to reduce the water level quite a bit to allow me to do what I want to do!!

Secondly, will I definately need some form of CO2 in the tank whether it be for plants planted directly into the substrate or for potted plants that I am going to add behind some bogwood and rocks??

Thirdly, how easy is riccia to work with because I think that will look rather cool on a great bit of bogwood that I have, if not, then I may add a plant onto the bogwood by tying it down like I have seen in the shops, which plants are the best for this. Sorry to ask so much but I want to make sure I get it right!!


Thanks again for your help on this matter everyone.

 

[houndour]

Anyway, I am looking at putting some real plants in because all I have is plastic at the minute. Firstly I would like to add some substrate of some form over the top of my gravel in parts so that I could create different levels in the tank and plant some plants straight into the substrate, what substrate would you advise and is this feasible?? Bearing in mind there will still be fish in the tank while I am doing this but I should be able to reduce the water level quite a bit to allow me to do what I want to do!!

um....you could mix fluorite into the substrate.

If you're talking about sand, then I think it would sink below the pea gravel. If you like the idea of sand, a complete gravel chnage can be done. I'm sure theres a sticky I've seen in the past in maybe the beginners forum or the general forum.

Secondly, will I definately need some form of CO2 in the tank whether it be for plants planted directly into the substrate or for potted plants that I am going to add behind some bogwood and rocks??

This depends on light really. do you know how many watts per gallon you have? Generally 2 to 2.5 WPG needs CO2 injection to help prevent algae.

Riccia is dead easy to work with. I have some myself after seeing Jimbooos tank. Jimbooo has actually written a pinned topic about riccia in this forum.

 

[nodding_dino]

Hi ghent,

I recently added some bulk to my substrate in a tank that was up and running like yours. I already had some fine gravel, but was advised to add some Laterite to help with the plants.

I removed 75% of the water and added the Laterite (and some extra gravel on top too) using a small jug. As long as you do it slowly, and carefully the fish really don't mind. In fact adding the gravel isn't quite as disruptive as you would first imagine.

Keep the lights off for a while to let the inhabitants calm down and you should be fine. Just make sure you give whatever your adding a really good clean to aviod any clouding.

best of luck!

ND

 

[ghent_3rd]

Thanks for that guys, I am just flicking through PFK now looking for plants that I am going to add over the next couple of days!!