Unsure How To Keep Plants Alive

[paulypaul182]

Hey all. I have a few plants in my tank.

4 x Straight Vallis
3 x Wisteria
2 x lilacina

I have a plant substrate, tetra plant complete substrate, which is spread 2cm thick under fine gravel and then a 2cm think layer of sand. My light is a 20 watt tube.

What would I need to add to the tank to keep these plants alive and growing? Im not really into adding anymore machines to the tank as I havent got the money to throw around (Spent close to £300 setting a free tank up with equipment, accessories and livestock). Plants have not long gone in. They seem ok but the Vallis is losing some of its colour (looks see through in parts). Wisteria looks great, seems to be growing. Lilacina just keeps becoming unrooted and leaves are falling off all the time.

Ive seen products in my LFS which you add to the water and its meant to aid plant growth. Should I buy these? For example, one is called Nutrafin plant gro aquatic plant food. Do I need these?

 

[fozziebear]

ok first what is your tank size, stocking levels, and filtration, also are you adding any form of CO2? id say dont go for the nutrafin plant ferts they are a bit pants, the best is probably either tropica plant nutrition or tropica plant nutrition plus.

 

[paulypaul182]

ok first what is your tank size, stocking levels, and filtration, also are you adding any form of CO2? id say dont go for the nutrafin plant ferts they are a bit pants, the best is probably either tropica plant nutrition or tropica plant nutrition plus.

Sicce Shark Filter 400 ADV (400LPH). Im not adding any CO2, I want to keep away from that if possible. Tank is 30x12x15 (from top of substrate to water level).

 

[fozziebear]

id recommend adding another 10 to 20w tube ideally of a lower kelvin rating something the 5000k to 7000k range, also look into diy co2 its really inexpensive and so easy to do, your plants will also thank you for it a lot, if you feel you need to add more nutrients id go for just a trace mix, you can get these in the form of a liquid product from a company, or you can get a dry powder trace mix from aquaessentials.

 

[loraxchick]

i agree fozzibear. I recently started a planted tank and DIY CO2 is so ridiculously easy and cheap!! id try that for sure before going and spending a considerable amount more on new fixtures and lighting. Chances are it'll do the trick, as well as some ferts!

 

[Renate]

Can we see a picture of your tank?

 

[paulypaul182]

Can we see a picture of your tank?

Not a great photo but you can see my layout on it.

 

[fozziebear]

it looks plenty bright, try out making a diy co2 kit, you'll notice the difference!.

 

[Mr Bliss]

it looks plenty bright, try out making a diy co2 kit, you'll notice the difference!.

Yeah, what he said. CO2 makes all the difference, you'll only believe it when you see it. I'm running DIY CO2 on my 55g and I must say, I never thought it possible that plants could grow this fast (photos coming up as soon as I get my hands on a camera).

According to Tropica, it's always better to start injecting CO2 before upgrading your lights. And they should know, right?

 

[paulypaul182]

it looks plenty bright, try out making a diy co2 kit, you'll notice the difference!.

I cant seem to find any posts on how to make one. If it requires an air pump then ill be a little screwed cause the one I have is so noisy. I had a bubble wall which I put behind the stone and slate at the back of my tank. It looked really cool and quite natural but the pump drove me nots. I tried moving it, putting it on polystrene, wrapping a towel round it. Nothing worked.

 

[Mr Bliss]

it looks plenty bright, try out making a diy co2 kit, you'll notice the difference!.

I cant seem to find any posts on how to make one. If it requires an air pump then ill be a little screwed cause the one I have is so noisy. I had a bubble wall which I put behind the stone and slate at the back of my tank. It looked really cool and quite natural but the pump drove me nots. I tried moving it, putting it on polystrene, wrapping a towel round it. Nothing worked.

Here's a decent guide:

http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/19...-A-Diy-Co2-Kit/

Many variations exist. Google "DIY CO2" for more.

 

[Renate]

Read :
1/4" polyethylene tubing, it is more rigid and a little easier to work with than airline tubing.
Apple Juice bottles are a lot easier to fill than the soda bottles.

Here a few links concerining the relevance of co2 and how to make diy co2 with powerhead. A powerhead can be bought on EBay for a lower price.

You definately need injected co2 to balance things out with the bright light you have.

http/www.barrreport.com/articles/41-diy-...-co2-users.html
http/www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html
http/farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/270568..._6ae72de781.jpg

 

[paulypaul182]

Dont it smell?

 

[Mr Bliss]

Dont it smell?

Hehe nope. Except when you open the bottle to change the mixture.

 

[aaronnorth]

Dont it smell?

Hehe nope. Except when you open the bottle to change the mixture.

of alcohol (wine smell)