I am Really Really Stuck

[Tindy]

Hi everyone ,

I have just setup a new tank and it is not even finished cycling. I need to know if I can add plants before cycling is complete or if they go in with the fish.

I have also put the gravel in the tank (as I said in the beginners forum and the palaver I had with that). It is white gravel and does not seem too natural it is more rocky than gravely. I need to know what type of plants it will support if it can support any or if they all have to be potted.

I have never had a tank before but have seen loads, which look beautiful due to its plants. If you could suggest any reading material I would be most grateful.

Tindy

 

[Lateral Line]

Is the "white gravel" coral sand or similar? Does it fizz if you put some vinegar on it? It is important, and before you go too far into cycling, you'll need to check this.

Much "white" gravel is highly calcareous. Fine for a marine tank or possibly a rift tank, but not really suitable for a planted tank or most freshwater setups. There are non calcareous "white" substrates, but we need to be sure.

A highly calcareous substrate will raise your pH and hardness out of the reach of a great many plant species.

 

[Tindy]

The gravel does not fizz when you add vinegar and I am sure it is not coral so probably something like sand

 

[Bol]

Assuming the gravel is ok to use (it passed the vinegar test -- if your pH, KH, and/or GH aren't sky-high, then it's probably ok), then you can add the plants at any time.

About whether it's suitable, when you mention "more rocky than gravelly", are you referring to the size of the pebbles? If so, then with larger grain sizes (say, the average size being greater than the size of a sweet pea), you're most likely going to have problems with plants. The grains won't be dense enough for the roots of rooted plants, and even with stem plants, it will probably be tough to keep them 'stuck in' the substrate.

 

[Lateral Line]

Bol is right, a coarse substrate is difficult to establish roots. What you can do of course, is put your plants in pots and bury them in the substrate if there is enough of it, or hide them behind wood or rocks.

Agreed also, no problem adding plants during cycling.

You do not mention your lighting. To get "Medium" light you'll need around 2 Watts of full spectrum, (5500K - 6500K), fluorescent light per gallon turned on for 10 - 12 hours a day.

Once you have that, browse the plant list at Tropica and choose some you like, that require Medium light, that fit with your pH, temperature and hardness and are flagged as "Easy" or "Very Easy" - that way you won't need to worry about CO2 or fertilisers to any extent.

 

[Silly me]

If your gravel doesnt support rooting, you can still add plants, there is a lot of plants that doesnt use roots, Tropica does have a nice selection of java fern (and other plant) attached to bog or drift wood. you might also, as Lateral Line said just hide the pots under the gravel..

there is a lot more to rooting medias than fine gravel.

 

[Lateral Line]

SM makes a good point, there are always options... Java Fern also tolerates a fair amount of abuse, so is a good beginners plant.