Beginners Luck

[meejo]

Tank: 48x12x15 (inches)
Filter: Eheim Professional II Thermo Edition
Lighting: iQuatics 4x54w T5
Co2: None, Flourish Excel daily dose
Substrate: Eco Complete with laterite base
Fertilization: Liquid Fert, currently looking for something new
Fish: 18 Neon Tetra, 1 Electric Blue Ram, 2 Albino Cory


Plant species (if anyone can correct me as to scientific names etc it'd be greatly received)
Swords
Micro Sword
Camboda?
Java Fern
Dwarf Hairgrass (awaiting delivery)


After having several large tanks and doing the whole cichlid and river monster thing I've decided to try and do a planted aquascape, these have always fascinated me, it's amazing what creations people come up with.

I'm a complete novice to planted aquariums so any advice is always welcome. I'm hoping to achieve a carpet look with a combination of micro sword and dwarf hair grass. I've attached 2 images just to get my Journal started, don't worry its not the final layout, the rock is weighing the wood down until weekend, then the java fern will be moved to that section. I'm also planning on having a sand section just off centre near the wood to keep the cory smiling (I have 4 more of Corys on hold for me until I get the final layout sorted). I need to source a wavemaker to increase flow as my filter tubing isnt long enough to reach the end of the tank

One more cheeky pic of my female Kribensis with her young (different tank)

Shall update again at weekend

 

[Grant1897]

Looks good mate, and stunning picture of your fish and Lille ones. Should enter her into fotm.

 

[meejo]

My hair grass arrived, although a tub short I've moved the java fern into place and planted the hair grass, I need to get some sand tomorrow to go where the java fern is upto the piece of driftwood. Then the layout should be complete. I'm hoping the hair grass carpets properly.

Can anyone recommend a decent liquid fertiliser?

 

[stu40]

Can anyone recommend a decent liquid fertiliser?

Nice start

The current favourite seems to be TNC, which would appear to be of a similar makeup to TPN+ (which is also v.good) but cheaper.
If dosing carbon, you'd want TNC complete

edit:TPN+ is now Tropica Specalised fertiliser

 

[meejo]

I bought some Tetraplant Plantamin before I saw your rely Will this be ok to use or should I invest in the TNC stuff?

I also got some sand and another piece of wood to use as a divider for the substrate, my tanks hardscape is now complete, just waiting for the hairgrass to carpet and trying to get rid of some algae growth on the java fern I'm thinking of changing the plants on the left side as you look at it, think the tall plants takeaway depth and take the focus off the rocks.

 

[minnnt]

Really like it Meejo. A background will improve it no end though.

Also, the Ram doesn't really fit with the other fish you have?!

 

[stu40]

i like the divider, it reminds me of another tank..

when you get the carpeting plants going, it's going to look very good.Get some good flow down there.
Looking at the Plantmin-it doesn't seem to contain Nitrogen or Phosphorus, so if you're using Carbon, you may well struggle with it.
Unless i've got this wrong, is the tank 48*15*12=37Gal. It looks bigger?
Are the lights on different switches? 216W of T5 over 37Gal is a lot.From what i've read, liquid carbon might not be enough to handle that much light.
Just trying to highlight potential problems before they start

(unless i've got my maths wrong )

 

[minnnt]

Wow!! Never even gave the lighting a thought!

5.8wpg?

 

[stu40]

Wow!! Never even gave the lighting a thought!

Rookie

rather hoping that the OP is reading the ruler wrong

 

[minnnt]

The measurements do equal a 37g tank though.

 

[meejo]

Haha I know I'm a rookie but I can read a ruler (I just double checked haha). Its definitely 4ft by 1ft by 15inch high.

The light unit is on 2 separate switches, I only use 1 switch that has 2 tropical bulbs in from iQuatics, the other switch has a white and 50/50 bulb in. I got the light unit at a very good price, so figured more light is better than less, I'm hoping to go marine one day so can use it for when I do.

If I were to go pressurised what would you suggest? I just don't want a massive bottle sat next to my tank there is no where to hide it Do those small kits work? would they be suitable for my tank or are they tidge?

Think I'm going to sideline the plantamin and get some of the TNC stuff

The fish are what I kept from my 6x2x2 community tank before I sold it, the cory have no gone to another tank too, leaving me with neons and the EBR, the neons have got comfortable and don't really school anymore

What background would you suggest? My last tank was painted black at the back, I liked the look this gave it, looks clean, apart from the massive green pipe haha

Thank you for all the advice and comments so far, I'd fail miserably without it

 

[angelfishguy]

Id do for a black backround on this tank.

 

[meejo]

Thoughts on this kit?

http/www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/aquatics/planting-and-co2/co2-systems-and-refills/tmc-aquagro-co2-expert-set.html

 

[stu40]

It wasn't you i was calling a rookie

 

[meejo]

It wasn't you i was calling a rookie

I know although my opening post declares it