Rio 125

[Truck]

i shall be buying a rio 125 in the new year with HO T5 2*28watts, ive worked it out at 1.8ish WPG (abiding by the T8 rule.)

what plants could i put in it, because by no means do i know much about plants.

i know a few, like HC which is obviously out of the question, i could grow vallis in there, but what about crypts? could you suggest any other different plants i could grow, bearing in mind i want only green species, i would like some species with flowers (not mandatory).
i will be having a CO2 system.

how do i go about dosing, ferts, the main part of the tank will be sand, and i will have 2 tiers in the back corners, with some sort of gravel, what gravel should i use?

 

[SuperColey1]

you'll be able to grow anything under those lights as long as circulation, CO2 (pressurised is a must for the lighting) and fertilisation are adequate.

AC

 

[Truck]

well cirulation wise, do i just need power heads?, and CO2 does presuised mean like an extinguishers?, because i was thinking along the lines of a CO2 kit with a canistair air line (you know the drill).

as for ferts im lost, what do i need? and are they copper free? i would like some shrimp

 

[SuperColey1]

Take a read through my 'Celestial Glade' journal in my sig. It is a 125Ltr and the pic is the right hand one also in my sig. It only has 30W T5HO over it but pressurised, dosing methods and circulation ideas. I would add however that I have just upped the circulation using a Hydor Koralia1.

AC

 

[Truck]

i still dont understand ferts, do they come as a liquid? how do you dose them? do they contain copper?

 

[SuperColey1]

We make our own ferts from dry powders. Yes they contain copper but plants need copper. The amounts in the ferts are not enough to kill shrimp.

I dose them in that tank and have a breeding colony of shrimp in there.

This site will give you an idea of ferts:
http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/PMDD.htm

AC

 

[Truck]

where do i get these compounds?

 

[SuperColey1]

aquaessentials.co.uk is a decent place

AC

 

[Truck]

are there any complete liquid ferts that are available to buy in a bottle?

 

[SuperColey1]

Do some research man there is plenty of info on here without needing to ask people all the questions. Do some reading of other journals, get an idea of whats involved.

If you are too impatient to do the research then there's no way you'll have the patience that is needed for a planted tank and therefore should save your money.

This hobby is expensive to say the least and without doing proper research and learning and understanding then it will cost even more.

Take your time and get to grips with the concept and then come back and ask questions on things you don't understand.

AC

 

[Truck]

im keeping fish now i just thought id delve into planted tanks but its more complex than i thought ill do some research like you said

 

[Truck]

are liquid fertilizers available? and if so are they as good as the method you described above, i have no experience with using or dosing ferts so which are better, liquids or powders? and do you just put them in the water, as simple as that?

 

[SuperColey1]

You have to weigh up what you want and then get the materials. In your case you already have quite good lighting and have to use pressurised CO2 and not yeast reactors so planted will get quite pricey for you.

Like I say to turn your tank into a planted with that light above it could cost close to £500!!!!

I would personally dose powders with your because you will be adding lots of pre bought stuff due to the faster growth

AC

 

[Truck]

all i want to keep are the low light things like crypts anuba's(unsure on spelling) vallis etc, do they need to have pressurized CO2 in order to thrive.

im not going all out planting im doing the back to corners and the back wall, im using the juwel rock face so i can terrace the scape, and i will use crypts to kind of break up the rock theme, for subtleness. i cant afford pressurized CO2 but ive seen other forum members dosing there 125's with yeast reactor CO2, i think nick16 did it im not sure, but i know i would need a ####load of reactors, probably about 3*2 litre bottles? but fert wise i think ill go liquids. and make sure they all contain nitrates phosphates and potassium

 

[aaronnorth]

The amount of light determines how much CO2 and nutrients the plant will take up because it will grow faster. If you put an anubias in a 1wpg tank, it will need minimal ferts, and no CO2. Put the same plant in a 4wpg tank and it will need loads more CO2 and nutrients just to keep up with the growth.

Tropica Plant Nutrition+ will be ideal for you, dose daily at 1ml per 20l (adjust as necassary)

Forum Members who use yeast based CO2 kits do not have a lot of lighting like you have, there kits will be able to keep up with the growth where as yours wont - you will be needing loads of bottles and the time it willl be taking to maintain the kits will be pointless (weekly maintenance on all of them!)