Advice on fertiliser and/or CO2 for a planted goldfish tank

[Yossu]

I have a 200l tank that I set up a few weeks ago (filter was used before that, so not a completely new set up). I have sand as a substrate, some wood and two comets. Lighting is provided from two LED PAR38 6500K bulbs about 9" above the top of the tank.

Today I started planting. I'm not an aquascaper, so please don't laugh, but here is what I have so far...

I started with Elodea and Vallisneria, as these grow fairly quickly, so should help prevent algae. I also added some some moss balls as I like them!

I'm planning on putting some Anubis on the wood, and possibly some Cryptocorynes around as well. Feel free to suggest anything else that might go. I'm not so fond of Java ferns, so probably won't go for those. I looked at Crinum calamistratum, but from what I can see, they need fairly hard water, and ours is quite soft. I'm trying to make this as easy as I can, so am not keen on trying to adjust the water parameters. I'd prefer to find plants that will do well in the water we have. In case it makes any difference, I posted the info from our local water company in another thread.

Now given that goldfish are fairly messy, will I need to fertilise the plants? I'm not bothered for strong growth, but I do want healthy plants and no algae (well, I can dream can't I?).

Also, would CO2 help at all? If so, it would have to be a DIY set up, eg sugar and yeast in a lemonade bottle, as I can't afford a proper system. From what I've read, this can cause as many problems as it solves, so I'd be happy to get some expert opinions. Edit: Just come across the Ista CO2 starter set, which seems like a moderately priced CO2 system. Don't know if that's going to be any better, if CO2 is even a good idea for me.

Anyone able to comment? Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

Put Vallis and Elodia along the back because they grow tall.

Have the Marimo moss balls at the front in the open so they get clean water and lots of light.

Don't get Crinum sp.

Anubias don't grow well underwater.

You don't need carbon dioxide (CO2).

You should add some aquarium plant fertiliser to encourage plant growth. Goldfish eat plants and if the plants aren't growing quickly, the goldfish will eat them. If you grow duckweed (small floating plant) either in the tank or outside in a plastic storage container, you can put some of that in the tank for the goldfish to eat and they will be less inclined to eating the other plants.

There's more info on aquarium plants in the following link.

Aquarium Plants 1.01

AQUARIUM PLANTS 1.01 TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF Stress from tank lights coming on when the room is dark can be an issue. Fish don't have eyelids and don't tolerate going from complete dark to bright light (or vice versa) instantly. In the morning open the curtains or turn the room light on at...

www.fishforums.net

 

[Yossu]

@Colin_T Thanks for the reply. Understood about putting the tall plants at the back. I was placing them under instructions from the wife, so did what I was told! I wasn't actually too worried though, because I can always snip the foreground Elodea and plant the snippings elsewhere. As for the Vallis, my experience is that wherever you plant them, they send out runners and you end up with them all over the tank!

No point putting the moss balls anywhere specific, as they seem to wander around. They say a rolling stone gathers no moss, well I have rolling moss that gathers no specific place!

I thought Anubis could grow immersed or emersed. Shame, I ordered some yesterday. Too late now, have to see how they do.

In the thread I linked, @TwoTankAmin suggested using Tropica Premium Nutrition. Does that sound good to you?

Thanks again.

 

[Colin_T]

If you have Anubias in a tank, they might grow slowly but if you put them in a pot with potting mix and keep them in a well lit place, they do a lot better.

Vallis does send out runners, which you can direct and hold in place with the lead plant anchors (available from pet shops) or stones.

 

[Yossu]

Vallis does send out runners, which you can direct and hold in place with the lead plant anchors (available from pet shops) or stones.

Oh, that's a clever idea! Thanks