First Attempt at Planting

[I Like Rare Fish]

Hi, this is my first attempt at a planted tank. I am no beginner, but new to planted tanks. I have a average light, and less-than-desirable substrate. Substrate is black Diamond sand. I have been warned it’s not great, but I decided to take the chance. I got a few Anubias and Java Fern which I stuck to lava rock and driftwood, and then I got a few Vallisneria, which was bought as Jungle Val, but I’m starting to suspect it’s Vallisneria Spiralis. I also got some kind of Rotala. I root tabs as per the plants needs. Do I need to put the tabs in now? The tank is 90g with 8’ square bottom, hence my decision of Vallisneria. Hope you like it!

 

[Rocky998]

Good luck on your plan journey! Nice tank. What fish are you going to put in there?

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Good luck on your plan journey! Nice tank. What fish are you going to put in there?

Already stocked with some Polypterus.

P. Senegalus
P. Mokelembembe
P. Delhezi
P. Palmas

 

[Rocky998]

Already stocked with some Polypterus.

P. Senegalus
P. Mokelembembe
P. Delhezi
P. Palmas

Oh awesome! Super cool fish! Dinofish

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Oh awesome! Super cool fish! Dinofish

Checkout the new thread I posted just now. Super cool fish! Absolutey prehistoric!

 

[Rocky998]

Checkout the new thread I posted just now. Super cool fish! Absolutey prehistoric!

Will do mr. Rare fish.

 

[Colin_T]

What's the pipework in there?
It looks like a trickle filter was attached to the tank at one time and that has been removed and the return pipes are going into undergravel filter uplift tubes?

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

It is actually an Fx5. Instead of having the outtake go out in one straight line, spreading the sand super far apart, I made a contraption that spreads the water throughout 4 PVC pipes. There are roughly 64 holes in the pipes, and it works very well. There are no holes on the caps, which is the only part that goes into the sand.

 

[Colin_T]

What about the 3 big holes in the back, is that where the water drains into the FX5 filter?

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

What about the 3 big holes in the back, is that where the water drains into the FX5 filter?

Those are bulkheads that I have never used. Completely sealed. Bought it with the tank.

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Should I put root tabs in? I haven’t yet, but do I need to?

 

[Rocky998]

Should I put root tabs in? I haven’t yet, but do I need to?

Maybe a few for the vals... But if they seem to be growing good I wouldnt worry too much

 

[Uberhoust]

I have some vals growing in a neutral sand, ie inert, on one of my tanks without any fertilizers of any sort, between them and the java fern I am throwing away plants monthly as they spread. I think you can survive without fertilizing those plants.