Should I Put Plants In On The 2 Week Wait?

[MarkR]

Wasn't sure what forum to put this post in, MODS please move to begginers if req'd

As you may have read in my other posts I am starting up this fantastic hobby again. My last tank was very well balanced and had very few deaths.

So as I am starting a fresh again I want to get it right. Should I put plants in from the very first day I fill up the tank and if so how many and what ones?

Also how much bog wood would you recommend I should put in and similar items such as stones and ornaments?

I want to create a nice environment to look at but at the same time a good environment for the fish where I do not want to restrict the swimming area with too many plants and ornaments.

Advice greatly appreciated. B)

 

[sylvia]

First of all, lets deal with the '2-week-wait' issue. Basicaly, there isn't one You need to fishless cycle your tank using ammonia (which I notice you have heard of considering your other post about where it comes from ')). Read the links in my signature if you don't know how to fishless cycle or need more info on the cycling process itself or how to keep the tank cycled afterwards.

You can put the plants in whenever you wish. I usualy put them in as soon as the gravel and lights are ready.

How you decorate the tank is realy up to you. It also depends on what kinds of fish you want to keep. For example, many rift lake cichlids will up-root plants while other fish, such as silver dollars, will eat them. On the other end of the spectrum you have fish who won't touch them and need to have them around to feel comfortable - usualy these are more fragile species like licorice gouramies. Keep in mind that most fish don't care whether plants are real or fake - except those that make snacks of them - but live plants do carry benefits as they use up excessive nutrients and compete with algae.

When you have decided what you will stock your tank with, ask the question about how to decorate again.

Many rocks (lime-stone based mainly) also have the effect of buffering pH/hardness. These should generaly be avoided in your average community tank but are great for tanks containing hardwater fish like mbuna cichlids or livebearer-only tanks.

Similarly, driftwood, bogwood etc will cause pH to decrease by releasing tanic acid into the water. Though softwater species may benefit from this, it also turns the water a yellowish color and isn't a good idea for a community tank. It can take a LOT of soaking to remove the majority of this acid so keep that in mind if you decide to use wood in your tank. One more thing to note is that many plecostomus catfish require wood in their diet so you must have a small piece in your tank if you keep a plec. Having said that, not ALL plecs require wood.

Remember that pH fluctuations are dangerous to fish and should be avoided at all cost. Regular water changes will help but you should also avoid putting things in the tank that you know will alter pH. Things that won't affect water chemistry are ceramic pots or caves, slate rocks, purpose-biult fake-looking plastic rock immitations (or realistic ones ) and your typical 'no fishing' signs or castle ornaments etc made for fish tanks (though I'd never be seen with one in my tank - beauty's in the eyes of the beholder I suppose...).

Oh and, good luck!

 

[randalthor]

I dont know how to answer you on most of the questions, however, most of the people will most likely want to know: How big is your tank?, What type of fish do you want/plants?

Cheers


Edit: opps jinx,

Another edit: about the bog wood, (I got it from my local river) I just bioled it for 2 hours and it releases no coloration.

 

[MarkR]

Thank you Sylvia for all your advice, I will certainly be using your links mentioned.

I dont know how to answer you on most of the questions, however, most of the people will most likely want to know: How big is your tank?, What type of fish do you want/plants?

Cheers


Edit: opps jinx,

Another edit: about the bog wood, (I got it from my local river) I just bioled it for 2 hours and it releases no coloration.

The tank dimensions for the Juwel 190 are L:98.5cm x H: 60cm x W: 70cm.