Should I Be Doing More

[steve_jones83]

maybe trace like once a month.

So you do need to add additional ferts then? or not?


Anyway, like i said, it could be worth a read into it, i've been doing it on my tank for a long while now with good results. The website i linked goes into it quite a bit plus the guys in the planted section here are very good if you need more info. As Mike has said, the lighting isnt uber high, you might not want to touch ferts or get into plants all that much as it can get expensive

Thanks Tizer. Only a few plants at the mo but certainly going to have a read. Hopefully will have a tank like you before end next year, it's stunning and defo a tank I aspire to have, but have so much to learn first.

 

[waterdrop]

It kind of depends on the age of the tank setup and the types of plant species, among other things. Often, a mature tank that is well stocked and has plants that are pretty low-light happy will run quite nicely on the macro nutrients provided by the leftover fish food and fish waste. The water changes will also help bring in some of the micro nutrients needed by the plants in smaller amounts. On the other hand, a reduced EI technique using liquid carbon dosing can often bring better results in a tank like this if some of the plants are not doing so well. A new tank (one that has been running less than a couple of years) can be quite devoid of food for plants and dosing can be quite a big help to them. EI definately does not imply that you must be doing high-tech with CO2 equipment and higher watts per gallon, it works equally well in low-light technique tanks in my opinion.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[steve_jones83]

Thanks waterdrop

 

[steve_jones83]

maybe with marine you do. but not freshwater. how much do you add each change?
and most people do a higher % water change each week

I been adding about half a tablespoon each water change, but that will stop now

Yes, you should do a bigger water change each week, and don't add any salt. What kind of fish are you planning to have?

1 angel, 2 gourami's, 8 razorbas, 6 corys, 1 plec, 4 black widow tetra,s 6 black neons

lots of us with plants use EI dosing, it might be worth a read into that, you basically dose ferts daily instead of weekly. Also we use dry ferts and mix them up ourselves, much cheaper, lasts longer. however, you are required to do a 50% water change every week as you are actually over dosing ferts using this method. I think its a great way to get into a good routine, its good for your plants and its good for your fish.

Great thanks

 

[CezzaXV]

What sort of plec are you going for? Many types of plec will grow too big for your tank.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Be very careful about the plec you go with. A Bristlenose might be a bit large for your tank, as they can grow to 5-6 inches. That would be the absolute BIGGEST pleco you would want to go with. On the small end of the pleco scale you have a pitbull pleco. These stay very small for plecos (< 3inches) and would be a great inhabitant in that tank, but like corys these do best in groups.

 

[steve_jones83]

I not sure what I got, will get a pic. Had him for 18 months now. Just keeping an eye on him but so far he not too big.

 

[steve_jones83]

This is him

 

[This Old Spouse]

A common pleco, will get to be about 2 feet long.

 

[steve_jones83]

A common pleco, will get to be about 2 feet long.

Oh that may be too big for my tank lol

I bought this after 3 months of owning a tank and was assured by pets@home it wouldn't outgrow my tank. The lessons I have learnt along the way is to ask the genuine people on here first before stocking.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Most people on here learn that lesson eventually! If you can just keep in mind that the people at the pet stores have only one job, and that's to SELL, SELL, SELL, you'll find that doing your research before going in the store will save you lots of money and heartache.

 

[steve_jones83]

Yeah something I have done when re-stocking my tank. Swapped him for a gold stripe panaque.

Thanks for your help.