Considering A Planted Tank...

[cuticom]

Currently I keep a marine reef tank, which I love. However in less than three months I'm moving to live on campus at university and I'm very uncertain about taking a marine tank with me. Trying to locate appropriate water etc is the main hang up, plus the fact there doesn't seem to be any stores that stock marine supplies in the area, and corals are touchy about transport. So I'm still up in the air about it. I know I want to take a tank of some form or another, just not quite sure what. I have the tank itself already, it's a 30cm (12") cube, and I have spare heaters, power heads and filters so I'm sure I can find that sort of thing easily. I probably won't take any fish (A fish tank without fish LOl) as it's always been the corals and plants that fascinate me much more. However I do have a beta who probably wouldn't mind being dragged around.

However I do have questions, my experience with plants is confined to java fern, java moss and wisteria which might I say I can grow very well. It seems being totally ignored allows these plants to grow best. However I've never gone further with planted tanks. The tank I want to use is a 30cm cube that has a volume of 27l or 7.2g

So one of my first questions would be about lighting. I've been sourcing various types of light for a while trying to find something that will best match the tank and this is what I have

The cheapest by far option a 12" Aluminium Reflector which includes a 9w PL Tube at $46.50 including postage
http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3967&catID=86

A more expensive higher wattage 12" reflector that takes a 24w power compact (not included) at $82.50 including postage
http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=4639&catID=86

Or a 14" reflector that could sit diagonally and includes 2 x 24w Power Compact globes for $79.60 including postage
http/guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/florescent-light-fittings-and-accessories/florescent-compact-light-fittings/350mm-long-aquarium-top-light-2x-24-watt-power-compact/prod_134.html

I'm guessing the last one is way overkill, it was the one I was thinking of using if I made the tank a reef nano. However would the 9w be appropriate or not enough wattage? And what plants would be appropriate for each light?

Then substrate, this is one I'm not sure on. The tank needs to survive a total of eight moves a year, being a small tank I can probably carry it with the substrate in tact though which should make things easier.

These are what I found as to substrate, there were other choices but they are all in 9kg bags, that would pretty much fill my little tank

3l Dupla Ground, would give me about 3cm of substrate $22.50 including postage
http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3607&catID=65

Dupla Root G Laterite for treating substrate, could I use this in conjunction with sand or similar? $27.50 including postage
http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3133&catID=65

And Red Sea Flora Root which is meant to mixed with gravel $22.50 including postage
http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=4583&catID=65

So would one of those suit? I like the first option, brown/red substrate sounds nice...

Also with filtration would this need an actual filter or would a power head do? and what sort of turn over is needed in planted tanks? I read somewhere that 10x turn over is normally used? so would a 250l/ph power head do?

And also how well do plans travel? Like could I leave them in the tank and just damp for the 5 hour drive home? or pull them out and pack in a bag of water?

Oh and I'd rather avoid CO2 for now, but am game for pretty much anything if it's not too expensive, but are liquid fertilisers required?

Wow long post, sorry! I'll shut up now.

 

[cuticom]

42 Views and no replies..

Anyways I've located a a light I'm going to try out, it's a 7w Compact Flourescent, so I'll see how that grows some java fern in the tank. It'll be great if this works as it's a snazzy looking clip on lamp, if not I'm going to try a 20w Halogen next.

However I have another question regarding substrate, if I can get away with the cheap (aka free) lamp mentioned above I'll be able to splurge on some nice substrate. I really really like Carib-Sea Eco Complete Planted Substrate, The Red LIVE version. I can get 9kg for $49 which is actually relatively cheap after looking at other substrates. So any opinions on this? I love the red substrate with the plants...

 

[aaronnorth]

Hi, i havent been active much latley, I havent had the time...

this should help if you havent already seen it:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/298133-back-to-basics/

As for no CO2, low lighting and minimal water changes would be the best way to go.
24w may be a bit too much, 2 x 9w tubes would be the best option but i suppose you could get away with it.


stick with plants such as

hygrophiallia
egeria
anubias
java fern
mosses
echinodorous
eleocharis
moss balls
cryptocorynes

flourite/ laterite is messy when disturbed, so it may not be the best choice. I am not sure on the dupla as i am not sure i have seen it in use.
eco complete will be fine.
Another choice you might want to look at is "Akadama" which is clay but it doesnt break down as easy. it can also be used without the need for sand/ gravel to cap it.

http/www.theplantedtank.co.uk/akadama.htm

Ragarding the filter, are you adding any livestock? Becaue even if it is just a few shrimp then the minimal water changes will mean ammonia will build up and it could cause an algae outbreak.
A small HOB can be purchased for around £15. 10x turnover is the reccomeneded, yes.

When packaging plants, ut in a food bag/ fish bag and seal to keep the moisture in and they will last a few days, no need to add water. If you want to keep the same 'scape, then you can leave the plants in place, and cover the tank with cling film (make sure it is done properly) then every hour or so mist them with water.

A weekly fertiliser will help the plants along.

Thanks, Aaron

 

[cuticom]

Thanks for the reply!

So after a lot of reading I've pretty much decided to use Dupla Ground for substrate, it has a nice natural look to it and is also the same colour of the dirt at my new home (Armidale). However as it doesn't have all the nutrients in it I was thinking I'd just get 3l which would give me 3.3cm (about 1.5") of substrate, so I was thinking I'd add some plain gravel underneath to create a deeper substrate for planting. Would this be fine?

So then the next thing would be the best fertiliser/nutrients to add to the substrate

For the substrate I was thinking either Dupla Root K or Red Sea Flora Root and as I'll also need dechlorinator when I leave I was thinking I'd get Red Sea Flora Gro +

So which of the substrae additives would be preferable? and is the Flora Gro + okay to use?

We're also going to go hunting desk lamps tomorrow After more reading I'm fairly sure I can get an 18w CFL lamp for $25 which would be good.

 

[aaronnorth]

you can add whatever you like to the substrate, most people buy an expensive susbtarte then just bulk it out, I have done.

the dechlor is fine you have linked too, however i dont buy the "improves plant health" because all dechlorinators are more or less the same, and i dont use one all the time.
I would reccomend buying seachem prime or a pond dechlorinator as it is half the price and will dose about 10x more than an "aquarium" dechlorinator. We get ripped off unfortunatley, so make sure you arent paying over the top for it.



As for the subatrate, Aquaclay ground is a good choice, and it shall contain all the nutrients required which means it will be less work for you (buying different products and less messy).
It has a high Cation exchange capacity (CEC) which means it will draw nutrients out of the water to make them available to the roots so it will last a very long time.

http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3452&catID=65

 

[cuticom]

Okay can someone pleas help me!

I found another site that sells the exact light fitting I've been looking for everywhere-
http/www.aquathrive.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=128

It's $77 for the light unit including postage, 24w of HE T5 Lighting.

Now here's the problem I can either get the above light or get some high quality substrate, I don't have money for both. I have some of the 'natural' multi coloured gravel here or I could probably locate some sand but neither would have any nutrients... I'd also have to scrounge up some way to buy any form of fertiliser as well. So what would work best?