My 1St Planted Tank In A Rio 180 ... Going Low-Tech

[thefubar]

looks good, whats with the pins in the wood on the righthand side??

Ah yes, they are securing some little java fern shoots which are about 5mm long.

 

[azzaknight]

why dont you tie them down with blackcotton wool or superglue them.

 

[thefubar]

I have some aquarium silicon that i have ready to make some caves, would this work better?

Also i was going to try again with java moss, would i be able to fix that withthe silicon too?

 

[azzaknight]

dont use silicon use cotton wool as if you use silicon it wont be able t grow out the sides because it wont be able to grow through the silicon.

 

[thefubar]

dont use silicon use cotton wool as if you use silicon it wont be able t grow out the sides because it wont be able to grow through the silicon.

How do i use it? Just tie it over the top?

 

[azzaknight]

put the shoots on and spread the roots out. tie the wool over the roots so it holds it down. leave it for a couple of months and then the shoots will have grown into the wood.

 

[thefubar]

put the shoots on and spread the roots out. tie the wool over the roots so it holds it down. leave it for a couple of months and then the shoots will have grown into the wood.

Thanks very much and i will give that a go. I've got some Java Moss on the way and i'll try that technique with that too.

I bought another plant today, i'll get a picture in a bit and hopefully someone will be able to ID it for me. The bloke in the LFS just sold it as the 'nice coloured red one?'

Well got it home and there were two in the lead so i am happy, gave it a clean up and trimmed the roots and it should be good to go.

One quick question please...

In my external filter (TetraTec EX700) i have the carbon pouch layer at the top, should i remove this and replace with floss instead? Was told this could be detrimental to my plants. Is there a reccomended layering guide for a EX700 given its a planted tank? Ta muchly folks.

 

[lljdma06]

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This is a non-aquatic plant. Plant it in a pot with dirt and put in on your window sill, preferably one that faces East. It is a fittonia species.

Otherwise, you're doing well, though I'm a bit leery of the 7 hour photo-period. None of these plants come from places where that occurs. How much light do you have on it now. Maybe they said to reduce the intensity, not the duration?

llj

 

[thefubar]

This is a non-aquatic plant. Plant it in a pot with dirt and put in on your window sill, preferably one that faces East. It is a fittonia species.

Otherwise, you're doing well, though I'm a bit leery of the 7 hour photo-period. None of these plants come from places where that occurs. How much light do you have on it now. Maybe they said to reduce the intensity, not the duration?

llj

**WARNING THIS IS A RANT!!**

Thanks. Why am i not surprised its a non-aquatic plant . I struggle for a knowledgable LFS near Kingston Surrey. I bought this today (after swearing blind never to go in there again after they sold me 2 clown loach for a 2 foot tank without feeling it necessary to mention that they grow to 8+ inches and should be in a 4 foot tank minimum.) I have a limited knowledge (growing fast thanks to all you friendly people) and i rely on these people to give good advice.

I visited a different shop looking for some cardinal tetra, which they didn't have any. But as i was leaving said they had found some in the tank in the rear of the shop... i went and had a look and they were neon tetras

I have done some research about the fish i want to stock and i am set on 3/4 Otos. But i have read that they are prone to death within 7 days of a new tank. So i read some more and it is suggested to do a slow drip method of transfer.

One mention of this to the LFS and he is telling me that this is pointless and i should just minimise the stress to the fish and put the bag open topped in the tank for 10 mins, add a cupful of tank water, wait another 10 mins and release the fish. Cover with a towel and all done.
Now maybe i am getting a bit "precious" after realising i have made some awful fish errors in the past, but i do prefer constructive advice.

Arrggh, rant over and i'm tired so i'm off to bed. I'll plant them in a pot in the morning. At least they'll add a bit of colour to my office!

 

[hensonc4098]

When we got a pair of ottos, we floated them for 15 mins, then added a little water and waited 15 mins, then added a little more and waited for 15, then let them out. They were fine although one died about a week ago because it had something wrong with it's swim bladder we think but that was ages after we got them.
Nice plant - shame it's not aquatic! I think the general rule of thumb is that if it's a variegated leaf (I don't think that's how you spell it but there you go) then it's not aquatic. Also, in some places, you chose your own plants from open topped tanks where you just stick your hand in and bag up what you want and pay for it at the counter. In this case, another rule of thumb is to lift the plant out of the water and if it stays straight and holds itself up, it's not aquatic. The majority of aquatic plants will go floppy when out of water.
Your tank looks really good anyway I don't know if something like HC would grow ok in your tank as a carpeting foreground plant since you are dosing easycarbo and ferts. Someone on here will know!
I'm following with interest
Claire

 

[thefubar]

Otherwise, you're doing well, though I'm a bit leery of the 7 hour photo-period. None of these plants come from places where that occurs. How much light do you have on it now. Maybe they said to reduce the intensity, not the duration?
llj

Have chilled out overnight and have planted the new aquisition into a pot and is happily watching me doing some tank maintenance from a dry shelf!

I was advised 7 hours, what do you think would be a more suitable time period? I am waiting for two new bulbs to be delivered which are 8000k and 10000k to replace what i have which are marine white and marine blue (i understand they have little benefit to plants and are probably a few years old)

When we got a pair of ottos, we floated them for 15 mins, then added a little water and waited 15 mins, then added a little more and waited for 15, then let them out. They were fine although one died about a week ago because it had something wrong with it's swim bladder we think but that was ages after we got them.
Nice plant - shame it's not aquatic! I think the general rule of thumb is that if it's a variegated leaf (I don't think that's how you spell it but there you go) then it's not aquatic. Also, in some places, you chose your own plants from open topped tanks where you just stick your hand in and bag up what you want and pay for it at the counter. In this case, another rule of thumb is to lift the plant out of the water and if it stays straight and holds itself up, it's not aquatic. The majority of aquatic plants will go floppy when out of water.
Your tank looks really good anyway I don't know if something like HC would grow ok in your tank as a carpeting foreground plant since you are dosing easycarbo and ferts. Someone on here will know!
I'm following with interest
Claire

Thanks for the acclimatisation help. I think i will pick up 3 next weekend and bring them home. I have been "cultivating" some algae in the tank so they have plenty to gorge on when they first arrive. I need to make sure i've got some reserves because i am told they can run out of suitable food. I will aim for full and happy tummies!

I'll move on from the non-aquatic lesson and i think i am happy to either buy from the marketplace here at TFF (and others i use) or from Java-Plants where i got the bulk. At least when i buy next it'll be more specific requirements rather than a can i please fill my tank with plants.

I have very mixed news to report to day though...

GOOD NEWS:
I have a possible flower breaking through the surface of my tank and i can't wait to see the results.
I have new shoots on the indian fern, and bundles of the other plants too.

BAD NEWS:
I have lost all but one of the cherry shrimp i added to the tank. I lifted the latest one out this morning and followed it up with a full testing with nothing to go on
My Vallis continues to turn to gunk and i may have to lift it out if the new bulbs and planned supplement of TPN+ doesn't combact the EC damage.

It does leave me concerned about adding the Otos...would you still go ahead and add the fish? and wait for a more mature planted setup before trying the shrimp again.

 

[bagu]

gorgeous!

 

[aaronnorth]

i agree with a 7hr photoperiod to start off. it helps minimize algae, and after 4weeks raise it up to 8-10hrs.

 

[thefubar]

I'll keep it at 7 hours because i really want to see the effect the 7 hours with ferts, Easy-Carbo and TPN+ have. If i see i am having problems over the next few weeks then i'll see if i should go even lower tech/less maintenance tank.

RE Shrimp:
I've added fish before that have died within only a few days/weeks and i had to put it down to "just one of those things" but looking through the Shrimp material the only thing i can see is that Profito might be harmful, but there is just as many people saying its fine it leaves me confuzzzed!

 

[RadaR]

Any ammonia or nitrite quickly kills shrimp off. The same goes for excess copper (although the Profito is fine and wouldn't have caused this). The recent heat we have had could have been the cause. It depends how hot the tank got.