Best post for newly planted tank?

[mrsjoannh13]

I didn't see anything pinned on this, but is there a 'best practices' post somewhere about initial maintenance of a (fishless) newly planted tank? I am setting up a 20 gallon planted tank this weekend and have seen conflicting information about water changes (how many / how often), lighting (how many hours and what percentages / ramping up intensity over time) and fertilizer (when to start, how much to use).

I have amazon swords (very small), java fern, scarlet temple and anubias nana petite at this point. Light is the Twinstar 600S (I have a timer and dimmer switch for it).

I'm mainly looking for info on how often to do water changes and how much, when to start using fertilizer and how much, how do I ramp up fertilizer as the plants establish, how much lighting to start with and how much and when to ramp up the light timing and intensity as the plants grow in.

I am also planting in a sand substrate as I'll be adding corys once the tank is cycled. I have root tabs and easy green fertilizer from Aquarium Co-op on hand.

Thanks!

 

[Essjay]

No, there isn't. Members usually just ask questions in the Plant section.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Your plants have different light requirements, with Scarlet Temple liking a brighter environment, and the rest going for moderate to low. If you can scape your tank so that the brightest part of the light is right above them, you'll see those beautiful reds come to life. You could add some floating plants to shade the others.

The ones in the substrate would benefit from root tabs from the get go. Also, it will be easier to figure out the best place for the tabs so the corydoras don't run into them. I am not familiar with Aquarium Coop products, but used Seachem root tabs with great results. I dosed the epiphytes with Seachem Flourish as well. Nowadays, I rarely use ferts since the tanks have established a nice balance of critter and plant waste. You can start the ferts regime and see how they do when you add fish, then adjust accordingly.

Lights on for 8 hours a day. The more plants you add, the less likelihood of algae. Change 25% of the water for the first time after a week, then proceed with 25% weekly until you add fish, and continue dosing as directed by the product manufacturer. Do not vacuum the substrate and allow for some mulm to accumulate as it is rich in nutrients.

I would love to see pictures of your tank!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Your plants have different light requirements, with Scarlet Temple liking a brighter environment, and the rest going for moderate to low. If you can scape your tank so that the brightest part of the light is right above them, you'll see those beautiful reds come to life. You could add some floating plants to shade the others.

The ones in the substrate would benefit from root tabs from the get go. Also, it will be easier to figure out the best place for the tabs so the corydoras don't run into them. I am not familiar with Aquarium Coop products, but used Seachem root tabs with great results. I dosed the epiphytes with Seachem Flourish as well. Nowadays, I rarely use ferts since the tanks have established a nice balance of critter and plant waste. You can start the ferts regime and see how they do when you add fish, then adjust accordingly.

Lights on for 8 hours a day. The more plants you add, the less likelihood of algae. Change 25% of the water for the first time after a week, then proceed with 25% weekly until you add fish, and continue dosing as directed by the product manufacturer. Do not vacuum the substrate and allow for some mulm to accumulate as it is rich in nutrients.

I would love to see pictures of your tank!

Thanks, eatyourpeas! My lovely assistant (daughter) and I will be putting the plants in shortly. We've got the sand in the tank and some of the spiderwood. The plants have been soaking in a bucket of water and we are about to get to it. I'm so excited! I've got a thread going in the journals/photos forum so I'll keep updating there.