What's new
By:
Filters

Upgrading tech

HoldenOn

HoldenOn

Fish Gatherer
Joined
Aug 11, 2020
Messages
2,109
Reaction score
1,815
Location
Texas
Hey all,
I'm going to be stocking some kribs soon, and want to get my plant to that "heavily planted" stage. I have some swords, anarchis, dwarf hairgrass (carpet), and duckweed(ik ik lol). I saw some alternanthera reineckii at my LFS and it got me thinking about CO2. How would I go about this for a 29? My plants aren't looking to great due to a recent substrate change, so I was also looking to give these plants a boost as well. Really intrested in the jungle type look, and I was wondering if it can be achieved with or without CO2.
 
It depends upon how one defines terms like "jungle." If fish are included, the plants should be secondary, and that means less light and no CO2. The multi-plant species aquatic gardens that are high tech are not suited to fish. And with fish in the tank, there will be sufficient CO2 from the breakdown of organics in the substrate to feed plants in that type of setup. Not all species of plants--red leaf are more difficult because they need more intense light to provide sufficient red for photosynthesis and because they reflect red light which is why we see them as red.

A substrate change should not affect plants significantly, beyond perhaps a minor initial "catch-up." Light is more likely the issue, or nutrients.
 
Byron said:
It depends upon how one defines terms like "jungle." If fish are included, the plants should be secondary, and that means less light and no CO2. The multi-plant species aquatic gardens that are high tech are not suited to fish. And with fish in the tank, there will be sufficient CO2 from the breakdown of organics in the substrate to feed plants in that type of setup. Not all species of plants--red leaf are more difficult because they need more intense light to provide sufficient red for photosynthesis and because they reflect red light which is why we see them as red.

A substrate change should not affect plants significantly, beyond perhaps a minor initial "catch-up." Light is more likely the issue, or nutrients.
Click to expand...
Thanks Byron. That clears it up, thank you. Yea I just got over the initial stage of a little melting and browning from the substrate change, but the plants are looking better. At this point I think my best course of action is to fill out the tank fish wise, and then look into a better light and heater.
 
It absolutely can be achieved in low tech you just need to pick the right plants. You will probalbly want a lot of Valis and Java Ferns maybe something like Lilaeopsis or Helenthium for a grass like carpet rather than hair grass. You could get some of the big crypts in there like Cryptocoryne Crispulata which has a great texture to its long leaves that will work well against the valis leaves.

If you do decide to go down the Co2 route you will need a regulator and a canister of Co2 which you can get from a few different places. I would recommend a Co2 Art regulator which is what I have, its a really well made piece of kit but they are quite expensive. Like Byron said your livestock options are more limited with Co2 but there are options where this can work and there are a lot of examples out there where you can follow what they do to achieve this. George Farmer is a great example of this on YouTube in his large tank he has a wide range of fish that are thriving (his Apisto group is multi generational, he mentioned recently he is currently on his third generation with them) and the great thing about him is that his methods are easily repeatable.

Co2 is a big commitment though, you are adding a presurised canister into the mix which can cause issues regarding saftey if you do not treat it with the respect it deserves for you and your fish.

Wills
 
Wills said:
It absolutely can be achieved in low tech you just need to pick the right plants. You will probalbly want a lot of Valis and Java Ferns maybe something like Lilaeopsis or Helenthium for a grass like carpet rather than hair grass. You could get some of the big crypts in there like Cryptocoryne Crispulata which has a great texture to its long leaves that will work well against the valis leaves.

If you do decide to go down the Co2 route you will need a regulator and a canister of Co2 which you can get from a few different places. I would recommend a Co2 Art regulator which is what I have, its a really well made piece of kit but they are quite expensive. Like Byron said your livestock options are more limited with Co2 but there are options where this can work and there are a lot of examples out there where you can follow what they do to achieve this. George Farmer is a great example of this on YouTube in his large tank he has a wide range of fish that are thriving (his Apisto group is multi generational, he mentioned recently he is currently on his third generation with them) and the great thing about him is that his methods are easily repeatable.

Co2 is a big commitment though, you are adding a presurised canister into the mix which can cause issues regarding saftey if you do not treat it with the respect it deserves for you and your fish.

Wills
Click to expand...
Will look for those plants. Thanks. My hairgrass does seem to be branching out, should I leave it? It is admittedly a little brown
 
I've had hairgrass grow really well in high tech but once I turned my lights down to 60% power its been struggling and thats with a high end LED. The other two types I mentioned would do better - I think Byron has the Helenthium in one of his tanks too?

Wills
 
I have done both and IMO low tech is easier and more rewarding. Turned my lights up to 60% (from 50) in this one today to try to encourage the helanthium and to compensate for the rate the water sprite has grown. Tank is only 3 months old so not quite jungle yet - and 100% low tech. Actually I will be aiming for controlled chaos rather than full on jungle :cool:
20200914_181103-jpg.116265
 
seangee said:
I have done both and IMO low tech is easier and more rewarding. Turned my lights up to 60% (from 50) in this one today to try to encourage the helanthium and to compensate for the rate the water sprite has grown. Tank is only 3 months old so not quite jungle yet - and 100% low tech. Actually I will be aiming for controlled chaos rather than full on jungle :cool:
20200914_181103-jpg.116265
Click to expand...
What kind of plants you got in there?
 
HoldenOn said:
What kind of plants you got in there?
Click to expand...
  • Hygrophila polysperma (jungle stuff)
  • Ludwigia repens (left side)
  • Ceratopteris thalicroides + c.cornuta and c.fein (all free floating)
  • Echinodorus reni (still not properly established)
  • helanthium tenellum (centre front)
  • heteranthera zosterifolia (new - just starting to show behind the centre piece of wood)
 
So I decided to invest in the Fluval Plant 3.0 LED Light. It has a day and night cycle and customizable brightness.
 
Just to illustrate my earlier comments, a few photos of some of my tanks over the past decade. In all cases, light is low-moderate (I consider it moderate, some would think more low) which is the starting point, and then "fertilizer" involves substrate tabs next to the larger sword plants, and liquid comprehensive once weekly. This is very low-tech, natural, which suits fish and they are my reason for the tanks. Some of these are probably "jungle" but the selectin of plant species is minimal. As others have mentioned, once you get into wanting several plant species including many that need higher light, the trouble starts. Going with fewer species, and only ones that thrive under the conditions one is providing, will be successful. It is also closer to the natural world.
 

Attachments

  • 90g June 3-10.JPG
    90g June 3-10.JPG
    188.1 KB · Views: 133
  • 90g May 13-09 (1).JPG
    90g May 13-09 (1).JPG
    272.7 KB · Views: 116
  • 70g Sep 8-09 Lg.JPG
    70g Sep 8-09 Lg.JPG
    181.8 KB · Views: 127
  • 40g April 20-18 (2).JPG
    40g April 20-18 (2).JPG
    289.6 KB · Views: 111
  • 40g May 23 2020 (2).jpg
    40g May 23 2020 (2).jpg
    382 KB · Views: 117
  • 70g Feb 14-16.JPG
    70g Feb 14-16.JPG
    240 KB · Views: 112
Looks very nice. So you just use dwarf sag, swords and a couple easy to grow plants in the back? I'm going to get some new plants soon, can I use up my Leaf Zone API up, or should I switch right away to Flourish Comp.? I might follow your trend of no carpet and just rosettes. Will definitely set my lights to a low setting when they arrive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

danajs
Nannacara Anomala (Golden Eyed Dwarf Cichlid)
Replies
4
Views
136
anewbie
anewbie
T
New 10-gallon stocking options
Replies
1
Views
133
The Aquarium Home
T
OldFishKeeper
Planted Tank Substrate...What is the Best?
Replies
9
Views
985
WhistlingBadger
WhistlingBadger
connorlindeman
Alright, here we go - 40g planted aquarium
Replies
3
Views
193
fishorama
F
ella777
Plant questions!
Replies
11
Views
742
Mikeyboy123
Mikeyboy123

Most reactions

Useful Links

Back
Top