Small Live Plants In Tank

[ADW1988]

So, with all the advice I've received, I'm on the home straight with fishless cycling, I think!!
 
I have only a 60L tank which is my stepping stone and lets term it, "learner tank" for when I finally get my dream tank (400-600L min ;P)
 
Therefore, I wanted to have not only 6/7 Neon Tetras in my 60L but also 5/6 Pygmy corys and some LIVE PLANTS with my bubbling statue head.
 
I am looking to go for plants on a coconut shell (hiding place for cory) and small piece of drift wood.. rather than planting, just to learn the upkeep of live plants. (I have the vision of my larger, planted dream tank). Looking at JavaFern & Moss on the small bit of driftwood and Anubias Nana(sp) on coconut shell!
 
So how would I go about the upkeep of small plants like these and do they differ to say the upkeep of a large, fully planted tank. I'm guessing yes.
 
I have seen people talk of CO2 dosing in large planted tanks, but have no idea what this is? Is it like the bubbler (like my statue head) or is that an obvious amatuer interpritation and actually its a whole new level of fish tank upkeep.
 
Any information would be brilliant.

 

[dave840f1]

I have these plants in my tank and they did well without CO2,then I got some plants that benefited from CO2. Then I noticed all the origenal plants grew faster and bushier. I have a DIY system made from water bottles that I fill with a mixture of sugar,yeast and water. I use a CO2 ladder for dispersal fed via air tubing suitable for CO2. There are many systems you can buy but I think my system is adequate for my needs. I'm not saying you need CO2 in fact the first plants were fine without it but did benefit with it. I hope this answers some of your thoughts.

Regards.

Dave.

 

[ADW1988]

Certainly does, and I commend your industreousness! Sounds a great DIY system and to bypass probably an expensive bit of kit; great idea.
 
I will look into the CO2 dosing but perhaps may learn how to do a DIY system myself. Were there any guides you used to build yours or is the Science in your nature? .
 
Thanks for the advice.
 
On a side note, how long are your tank lights on for?

 

[dave840f1]

I keep my tank lights on for approximately 10 hours per day. Sorry to disappoint you I am no scientist. I got the idea off Utube
and I just did it to suit my own needs. I have a one and half litre water bottle which I fill to three quarters full with warm water, to this I add 2 cups of sugar, put on the top and give it a good shaking to dissolve all the sugar. Then I take a cup three quarters full with warm water at the same temperature as what is in the bottle. I then add one and a half teaspoonfuls of yeast which I mix with a small blender. When this mixture starts to foam at the surface I then add this to the bottle, give it a good mixing then connect to the tank. The CO2 ladder I got off eBay if you are interested.
Sorry I forgot to mention this usually last about two weeks.

 

[ADW1988]

Nice, makes sense. Will certainly look into it.
 
Thanks!

 

[dave840f1]

Sorry I forgot to say I add 2 teaspoons of sugar in the cup before the yeast.