Wanting to start a planted tank...

[Aj86]

I have 2 17g tanks that i want to put live plants in but i know nothing about them lol I was jus wondering if anyone can help me in what i should start with and what i need to do and that? Any help would be great!

Thanx!
Aj

 

[Nisha]

I've been researching this recently so here's what I know so far.

You'll need a good substrate that contains iron(FE) for the plants. You can look at Flourite, Eco-complete, Seachem's Onyx as examples of good nutritious substrates.

In terms of lighting you need 3 watts per gallon if you want med-high light plants. If you have low light you can stick with Java moss and ferns which are hardy and require minimal light.

There's more info to look at here.
Planted Tank Basics

Hope this helps.

 

[Bobdole10]

What I would like to know is where you can get Flourite I have been looking at my LFS and they never heard of it. Any one know where I can pick up some? and will that work with just stones you can buy at LSF?

Thanks JEREMY

 

[Colin_BC]

See if there's a Big Al's in your area. they carry it. As well, phone around to different pet/fish stores. I've found every pet store in my area carries it. More importanty then your substrate, how's your lighting? What sort of watt's are you running? I thin lighting is the most crucial factor in succesful plant growing. However, once you reach the saturation point for light you have to start adding CO2 and supplementing various nutrients. I have 14kg of Flourite in my 30G, but I also have 4 watts per gallon of light as well as CO2. Once your lght scenoario hits 2+ WPG, start thinking about a natural CO2 system (yeast, water, sugar) and adding some form of fertilizer/nutrient supplement. I use SeaChem's Flourish Comprehensive Plant Supplement.

Colin

 

[dan dan the fish man]

I think fluorite will be hard for u to get in Australia i have looked many places for it but u can add latarite to your substrate mixing it in like it tells you to it will deliver a good source of iron to get your plants started but the question is what plants do u want to grow ? i have 2.8 wpg this is said to be medium lighting but i can grow some varieties of purple plants well i have a tiger lotus thats doing great in my tank but I'm worried about my power bill so I'm trying to keep my lighting to no more then i have to because my other tank is a salt water and i have x2- 400w metal halides they suck the power believe me ! just making sure your phosphate and nitrate is in cheek and adding iron when needed i use a daily fertilizer with mine cheeking the iron levels regularly. hope i could be of some help to you

oh where in Australia are u ?

 

[Aj86]

I've been researching this recently so here's what I know so far.

You'll need a good substrate that contains iron(FE) for the plants. You can look at Flourite, Eco-complete, Seachem's Onyx as examples of good nutritious substrates.

In terms of lighting you need 3 watts per gallon if you want med-high light plants. If you have low light you can stick with Java moss and ferns which are hardy and require minimal light.

There's more info to look at here.
Planted Tank Basics

Hope this helps.

Thanx Nisha that site helped alot! I got some plants but not sure what they are called ill find out today i hope they grow! haha

 

[Aj86]

I think fluorite will be hard for u to get in Australia i have looked many places for it but u can add latarite to your substrate mixing it in like it tells you to it will deliver a good source of iron to get your plants started but the question is what plants do u want to grow ? i have 2.8 wpg this is said to be medium lighting but i can grow some varieties of purple plants well i have a tiger lotus thats doing great in my tank but I'm worried about my power bill so I'm trying to keep my lighting to no more then i have to because my other tank is a salt water and i have x2- 400w metal halides they suck the power believe me ! just making sure your phosphate and nitrate is in cheek and adding iron when needed i use a daily fertilizer with mine cheeking the iron levels regularly. hope i could be of some help to you

oh where in Australia are u ?

Alot of help dan! Umm im not sure on the plants i want to grow jus what ever looks good haha ive bought some but as i said im not sure what they are called but ill find out today... Ill have to have a look around and see if i can find some fluorite but if not ill add latarite like yiou said... Oh and i live in sydney how about you?

 

[dan dan the fish man]

no problem I'm from Brisbane I'm not sure if its available in Sydney i think its a U.S.A product but latarite is good also

 

[jonny toe tags]

I don't use florite in my 20 gal...and the plants grow like crazy.
Really depends on the plants you buy.
I do use it mixed with gravel in my 65/hi-light tank. Because i have demanding plants there.

 

[Yeaulman]

What are the steps of different lighting? low would be how many watts, medium would be so many, and also with high?

I am getting a 2 x 65 watt power compact hood for my aquarium and it is going on a 48 gallon tank. Would this me a medium light or a medium-high?