Planted Tank Newbie Journal

I have been keeping small fish tanks on and off for several years (when space in my house has permitted). I have just moved and now have space for a decent tank, and decided to invest in a nice new 450 litre tank.

So 4 months ago I set up the following:

• 1200mm x 500mm x 750mm high RENA tank.
• RENA XP3 Filstar External power filter (1350 litres/hour) Loaded with foam pads, china tubes and activated carbon.
• 2 x Rena 200W heaters
• 4 x 30W bulbs – 2 x Grolux FW30 T8 and 2 x Phillips Relle 30w TL-D (came with tank).

The tank was slowly matured over the months and when Ammonia and Nitrite spikes had settled, I slowly added fish over several weeks, with my Community tank now holding:

5 neon tetra
6 Rummy Nose Tetra
2 leopard Catfish (Corydoras Julii)
2 clown loach
2 small X-ray fish
2 Small Angel Fish
1 Bristle nose Plec
1 Black Balloon Molly (+ 10 fry)

The water balance has settled and steady readings as follows:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10 to 20 mg/l
PH = 8.0 (come from a very hard water area with chalky tap water)
Ghd = 18
KH = 40

I change 20 to 30% of the water every 2 weeks (sometimes every week).

I have 3 to 4 inches of fine pea gravel for the substrate, and originally brought a 70 plant collection from a mail order company. I planted some Nutrafin ‘Plant GRO’ sticks at the base of some of the larger plants, but over time the plants have not really done that well, and leaves turned slightly yellow brown on some, with some algae build up, so after reading several books and magazine articles I decided it was time to take the tank planting more seriously and splashed out on a Dennerle ‘Classic Line’ Co2 system.

I have now had the Co2 injection running for 3 days, with the first 2 days at 1 bubble every 4 seconds, and increasing to 1 every 2 seconds on day 3. The level of Co2 has still not reached the optimum according to the long term test kit enclosed by Dennerle.
I changed the position of the filter jet nozzle so as it did not disrupt the tank surface so much, and is lower in the tank to avoid loosing the injected Co2.
I have ordered some supplements to feed the plants which should arrive tomorrow:
- Dennerle E15 Iron Fertilizer
- Dennerle Pflanzengold 7 (essential trace elements)

I am hoping to soften the hard water with the Co2 injection.

Some initial Questions for all you planted Aquarium experts out there:

1. So far are there any major problems with what I have done?
2. Is it really necessary to at substrate soil etc? I note that some of the other forum members successful planted tanks are pea gravel only with added nutrients?
3. Should the Co2 take this long to get to the right level? 3 to 4 days so far?
4. Are the supplements I intend adding Ok?
5. Is my lighting level correct? Lights are on a timer from 12.30pm to 9.00pm (8.5 hours) with staggered on and off.
6. Should I remove the activated carbon from my filter? Will it remove the plant supplements I add?
7. The tank temperature is a steady 27 oC.


All comments / criticisms / advice gratefully received !!!!!!!!

I intend to follow all good advice received and keep posting updates on activity and pictures etc.

The tank on day 1 of Co2 injection:

Hi and welcome to the forum

Ill rattle through the questions if that's OK but first off

Fillet said:

I am hoping to soften the hard water with the Co2 injection.

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Co2 doesn't affect GH or KH it only affects pH. Increase CO2 and pH goes down. Only way to lower GH/KH is to dilute with DI/RO water.

1. So far are there any major problems with what I have done?

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Did you add a plant substrate at all or are you planning on using root tabs?

2. Is it really necessary to at substrate soil etc? I note that some of the other forum members successful planted tanks are pea gravel only with added nutrients?

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not necessary, but useful, root tabs work if you've not.

3. Should the Co2 take this long to get to the right level? 3 to 4 days so far?

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In a word no. It should happen within a few hours. With a tank this size (I make in 450lt) you'll probably need around 2/3 bubbles per second. This is very hard to count but you've got a huge tank so wack it up and see what happens. I run 1 bubble per second on my 90lt tank.

4. Are the supplements I intend adding Ok?

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Do you know the WPG )watts per US gallon) of lighting? If its below 2WPG then a general liquid fert, like seachem flourish, once a week should be fine. (cant remember what you said you're getting, deleted it when I started this reply!)

5. Is my lighting level correct? Lights are on a timer from 12.30pm to 9.00pm (8.5 hours) with staggered on and off.

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I would up it to 10hrs per day, with no breaks. Lunch time breaks dont IMHO really work, especially on low light tanks.

6. Should I remove the activated carbon from my filter? Will it remove the plant supplements I add?

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yes, carbon removes essential plant nutrients, like iron and boron.

7. The tank temperature is a steady 27 oC.

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that seems fine to me, bit high perhaps but I wouldn't think it'll do to much.

Light tubes seems good, although if you could replace the two original ones for plant tubes like the other two then more so the better. Do you have reflectors over them?

My only other comment would be to add lots more plants!

Hope that helps

Sam

Thanks for all your help Sam

I have ordered another 70 plant selection, which should suppliment those already there.


As I said all comments gratefully received.

Great post I am starting to do a 30 gal planted tank, Themuleous what kind of damage will the carbon do? I want my plants to be healthy but if I leave the carbon out will my filtration suffer? Is there an alternative to carbon that will help keep my tank clear? thanks Fillet 'O' Fish for starting the topic

Hi Nevernormalalwayscrazy

Theres a good forum posting describing the different filter media and their use:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=139488

Have a read and you will see the answer to your Carbon dilema.

Regards

Brian

Well did a 20% water change last night (12th July) and removed the activated carbon sachet from my external filter so as it does not remove the plant food from the water.

Excellent advice from Themuleous to turn my CO2 up to 1 bubble per second. The Co2 is now at test kit 'good' reading. The plants are now beginning to show new chutes. I will take another picture 1 week after starting (which will be Sunday) and post.

I have received the Dennerle Pflazengold 7 Growth Promoter, but i am a little confused as it came in small capsuls much like the ones headache tablets come in for easy swallowing. The instructions dont tell you how to add to the tank, only the dosage

Does anyone else use them? Should I pop them open and mix with water? Just put them in as they are?
Bury them in the gravel? (If so what happens to plastic casing?

Any help please?

I think they would be the same as a paracetamol, it will slowly dissintergrate(sp) when it comes into contact with water, did you think it was the plastic that made the pain go away? Don't take my word for it though, it was just a guess.

Neal

Got home tonight and there are small streams of bubbles flowing from my plant leaves !!??!!

Is that normal for the plants photosynthesizing on the pressurised CO2 Im adding?

GET THEM OUT OF THERE AT ONCE! YOUR PLANTS WILL BLOW UP!





Nah, i'm joking. It's a sign that your doing things right, and that they are getting sufficient light and sufficient co2. Sorry to give you a heart attack!

Neal

I think they are pearling, it's a good thing

Phew ,, thanks guys, thats a relief

Well....got my plant delivery from JAVA last night and planted in the tank.
What you guys think..............



Everything appears to be going well with the new CO2 injection, although I am getting some black/green hair algae. My local Aquatic shop tells me thats because I live in a very hard water area and need to lower the hardness by adding rainwater during my water changes.

What do you guys think?

My natural tapwater PH is 8 to 8.5 , but with the co2 injection my tank PH is 7.5.

Your aquarium is beautiful, and when those plants grow out a bit more it will look even better!

Nice one.

Have you ever considered adding a completely black background? It will look stunning IMO if you did - hides the wall behind and wires etc.

I was considering ordering plants from Java, as they're really cheap and look decent enough, would you recommend them?

Paul.

PaulEbs said:

Have you ever considered adding a completely black background? It will look stunning IMO if you did - hides the wall behind and wires etc.

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Thats a good idea it would look even better
I am planning on adding a black background to my new tank

Dude, when those plants grow your tank is going to be amazing!
I love your tank, its so tall!