Plant Tank Newbie

[Thedoctor]

So I bought a load of plants (Cabomba, Vallis and something else that escapes me) a few months ago, they did fine for a while before starting to deteriorate in colour and never seemed to firmly root - I was constantly replanting. I left for a short working holiday in Australia last month leaving my Mother in charge of the tank. All but 1 or 2 of my fish survived, the plants however are a mess. They are all floating stalks and the vallis that stayed rooted is now very thin and light green to a yellowish brown. So basically...my first attempt at plants has been a huge failure.

I've just read the Plants 'Back to Basics' pinned thread - but I'm afraid to say a lot of it went over my head.

So I apologise in advance for this thread but I want some simple answers to the following questions and would be very grateful to any who'll help

Firstly, If I were to go with the cat litter option (I've just returned from Aus and am a Student - I'd much rather buy the cheap cat litter over ADA Aquasoil) how thick would it need to be? Could I put sand over the top and would cat litter alone (water changed included - C02 and Fertiliser not) allow for rapid and successful growth of common plants (Vallis and some form of carpet plant)? Also, how long would it last (Would I have to change the cat litter every so often?)

If I were to use fertiliser liquid, how often would I need to do this? What would be the best fert to use or could I would some ebay bulk buy suffice?

Is co2 essential or would fertiliser, cat litter and weekly water changes suffice?

Would plants get all they need from cool white LEDs? Would I have more success planting them in little plant pots?

Thanks for any and all advice and information.

 

[whitmore1119]

So I bought a load of plants (Cabomba, Vallis and something else that escapes me) a few months ago, they did fine for a while before starting to deteriorate in colour and never seemed to firmly root - I was constantly replanting. I left for a short working holiday in Australia last month leaving my Mother in charge of the tank. All but 1 or 2 of my fish survived, the plants however are a mess. They are all floating stalks and the vallis that stayed rooted is now very thin and light green to a yellowish brown. So basically...my first attempt at plants has been a huge failure.

I've just read the Plants 'Back to Basics' pinned thread - but I'm afraid to say a lot of it went over my head.

So I apologise in advance for this thread but I want some simple answers to the following questions and would be very grateful to any who'll help

Firstly, If I were to go with the cat litter option (I've just returned from Aus and am a Student - I'd much rather buy the cheap cat litter over ADA Aquasoil) how thick would it need to be? Could I put sand over the top and would cat litter alone (water changed included - C02 and Fertiliser not) allow for rapid and successful growth of common plants (Vallis and some form of carpet plant)? Also, how long would it last (Would I have to change the cat litter every so often?)

If I were to use fertiliser liquid, how often would I need to do this? What would be the best fert to use or could I would some ebay bulk buy suffice?

Is co2 essential or would fertiliser, cat litter and weekly water changes suffice?

Would plants get all they need from cool white LEDs? Would I have more success planting them in little plant pots?

Thanks for any and all advice and information.

What size tank have you got and what lighting are you using?

I have never used cat litter as a substrate but from what ive heard it has to be washed very well to stop your water from clouding if you have a large tank it could be a very long day lol some people soak it in ferts b4 putting it in there tank i think it absorbs it and releases it slowly, I would recommend using some kind of root tab when you put a new plant in and also a liquid fertilizer. i have a fairly heavy planted tank im running co2 along with flourish excel liquid fert and my plants are doing great.
As for led lighting again i have never used them so would really know but im sure a search on google would say if your plants will benefit. Also i have found from experience that vallis need a fair bit of water movement to help it survive and stop melting so depending on your filtration you might beneit from a small powerhead like im using myself to create move movement in the water. If you start using a liquid fert like flourish excel i would do water changes on a weekly basis.

Hope this helps a little

 

[Salam]

I have cat litter in one of my tanks and I am amazed by this stuff. Whithin a month my plants have grown a lot, the difference is astounding. I don't use any fertilizers or carbon, just weekly water changes and it is all happening. And obviously T5 lighting that come with the Juwel tanks.

What I suggest is start with low tech plants. The easiest I have found are bacopa, various crypts and hygrophila. Anubias and java moss are also very easy to grow plants and they would enhance any rock.

 

[whitmore1119]

I have cat litter in one of my tanks and I am amazed by this stuff. Whithin a month my plants have grown a lot, the difference is astounding. I don't use any fertilizers or carbon, just weekly water changes and it is all happening. And obviously T5 lighting that come with the Juwel tanks.

What I suggest is start with low tech plants. The easiest I have found are bacopa, various crypts and hygrophila. Anubias and java moss are also very easy to grow plants and they would enhance any rock.

i am intrested about how to do this cat litter i tried washing some but while i was doing my thorts were if i keep washing it untill water is nearly clear surely id have washed all the clay away and just be left with gravel?


I did use smartprice cat litter if this has anything to do with it?

 

[stu40]

I have cat litter in one of my tanks and I am amazed by this stuff. Whithin a month my plants have grown a lot, the difference is astounding. I don't use any fertilizers or carbon, just weekly water changes and it is all happening. And obviously T5 lighting that come with the Juwel tanks.

What I suggest is start with low tech plants. The easiest I have found are bacopa, various crypts and hygrophila. Anubias and java moss are also very easy to grow plants and they would enhance any rock.

i am intrested about how to do this cat litter i tried washing some but while i was doing my thorts were if i keep washing it untill water is nearly clear surely id have washed all the clay away and just be left with gravel?


I did use smartprice cat litter if this has anything to do with it?

The correct cat litter is 100% baked clay, no gravel.
You're washing away the dust, despite the fact that it's supposed to be 'Low dust'

 

[Salam]

Just put it all in a big bucket and let a hose run through for as long as you can take it. Don't worry about washing anything away it will be fine once it's in the tank. It says low dust cat litter and it will be very dusty and cloudy for the first days even after washing it a lot.

Ah, didn't see the edit. No, don't use smartprice catlitter. It's the Tesco low dust one in a pinkish bag.

This here: http/www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=tesco+low+dust+cat+litter&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=C-sBDVO2LYx13M:&imgrefurl=http/www.dooyoo.co.uk/cat-accessories/tesco-low-dust-lightweight-cat-litter/&docid=GqMROWZUJ4lLRM&imgurl=http/img.dooyoo.co.uk/GB_EN/orig/0/7/9/1/3/791369.jpg&w=259&h=300&ei=XjsyUMD7NKL80QW1jYHgDA&zoom=1

 

[whitmore1119]

Just put it all in a big bucket and let a hose run through for as long as you can take it. Don't worry about washing anything away it will be fine once it's in the tank. It says low dust cat litter and it will be very dusty and cloudy for the first days even after washing it a lot.

Ah, didn't see the edit. No, don't use smartprice catlitter. It's the Tesco low dust one in a pinkish bag.

This here: http/www.google.co...W1jYHgDA&zoom=1

thanks atleast i no where i went wrong now lol might give it a try in a small tank see what the outcome is. Might add co2 and ferts see if i get mega growth lol

 

[Salam]

With Co2 and ferts the growth would happen even faster. Have a look at my Rio journal and you can see how my plants have grown in a short time. I actually need to update soon again, I had a few more trimming sessions, this is how fast it is growing.

 

[stu40]

To the OP

Hi
firstly, as above.Tank size & current lighting would help.
The amount of lighting, or lack of it, will help to dictate your options.
In general ...low lighting, means low tec.No co2 required, maybe no additional ferts (fish waste will take care of it.), less choice in plants, slow growth, but easy to maintain.
High lighting,means high tec.Co2 added, extra ferts added.Grow anything, lots of maintenance, lots more work
You can use 'Tesco low dust' cat litter.2cm's or so at the front, sloping to 4cm's or so at the back of the tank.to start with, it contains no nutrients but will soak them up from the water column & hold them at root level.
You can cap it, but i found that it's very light & mixes too easily with the capping substrate.It'll last for a year or 2, i think.Certainly more than months.
What/how much extra ferts can be worked out later, when you decide which route to take.They may not be needed.
Don't know anything about LED's
Stu

 

[whitmore1119]

With Co2 and ferts the growth would happen even faster. Have a look at my Rio journal and you can see how my plants have grown in a short time. I actually need to update soon again, I had a few more trimming sessions, this is how fast it is growing.

just checked out your journal, what is the plant in the middle? its a stem plant with like small lillys on it, i like it would wanna get 1 lol

 

[Salam]

It's hydrocotyle leucocephala. It is the tall version that I had to trim back quite a few times already as it has reached the top. I also have the 'verticillata' version in the front which stays small but grows more in width. The smaller version I got from Pets at Home, the other one off minnnt, so don't know where he has found it.

 

[Thedoctor]

Thanks for the help so far.

length 84cm x width 44cm x height 58cm, Volume 165 litres

Reflector lighting unit built in with 2 x 25w, 1 x 20w lamps (Pulled this off a website, I got my tank second hand and one light needs replacing now. I think it's the 20w lamp)

I want a High tech tank. Some form of carpet and heavily planted so it's a privilege to see a fish Simple plants though, mainly vallis and Cabomba.

The only thing that scares me is the C02. I'm a student so I can't afford those pressurised ones and I've heard the DIY ones are shoddy any how.

I don't want to spend loads on bulbs either so I'd like to switch to energy efficient LED bulbs.

However, because of their high-wavelength light spectrum, LED bulbs are surprisingly useful for growing plants of all kinds, including notoriously temperamental species like red African hygro.

http/www.ehow.co.uk/how_5883240_grow-aquarium-plants-leds.html

For those that are interested in plants with LED.

 

[Thedoctor]

Could I use Flourish tabs and Flourish Excel instead of a DIY or pressurised Co2 injection?

Would the plants grow just as well?

 

[stu40]

with the setup you described in post #12
if you start with 6 hours lighting you may be fine as long as you pick 'easier' plants.
The fish waste may take care of the plants needs.Plus a weekly dose of plant fert.
If you wanted to use Excel (vallis doesn't like it) then you'll get better growth.But you will have to add a fert with N & P
If you try the first method, watch your plants.They will tell you if they're lacking anything.Not enough co2 usually starts with holes appearing in leaves.
Have a go, see how you get on, then adjust if need be.

 

[Thedoctor]

I now have a 260 Litre aquarium...

Fluval Vicenza 260 - Does this change any of the above. I tried plants with just light before and they initially grew but just wouldn't root and eventually melted. I'm reluctant to spend money on plants for that to happen again aha.

What ferts would Vallis appreciated? Vallis or something similar is perhaps the main plant I wish to use, bar maybe dwarf hair grass or some other easy to root/fast growing carpet? Recommendations?