what's in the QT?

[ocellatus]

I think most plants that would work with low light would work with sand. I'm not familiar with pool sand, but would assume it's not that different than regular sand? It's a bit harder to get things in sand when you first plant (they want to float away), and if you're actually planting things in the substrate you'll need to have like 1.5 inches or so of sand. If you go too deep you can get anaerobic pockets, but not too deep, with plant roots, should be fine. I also use malaysian trumpet snails to stir up the sand. I got an outbreak of them recently probably from overfeeding but they normally aren't really seen.

But anubias they don't need to be planted in the substrate!

I find Valisineria (jungle vals, they are the tall weedy ones that I cut back every week), Amazon sword, Crypts, Anubias, Java ferns are pretty easy to grow. And you know how I feel about floating plants.

I also supplement with root tabs for substrate plants every 3-4 months.

You should be very happy with pfs! I've been using it my planted tanks for a few years now and find vals and crypts thrive in it. Both are great choices for a low tech setup.

I spent a few hours today clearing crypts in the 180g in order to create a clear space for the teugelsi when he eventually is big enough to move in. It was an absolute mat of roots

This is the 75g with pfs s/he's currently housed in. I supplement with dry ferts, mainly as I'm trying to develop a carpet of baby's tears.



O

 

[jaws7777]

You should be very happy with pfs! I've been using it my planted tanks for a few years now and find vals and crypts thrive in it. Both are great choices for a low tech setup.

I spent a few hours today clearing crypts in the 180g in order to create a clear space for the teugelsi when he eventually is big enough to move in. It was an absolute mat of roots

This is the 75g with pfs s/he's currently housed in. I supplement with dry ferts, mainly as I'm trying to develop a carpet of baby's tears.

View attachment 1243655

O

That is simply stunning....more like wtf !!

 

[clm08k]

You should be very happy with pfs! I've been using it my planted tanks for a few years now and find vals and crypts thrive in it. Both are great choices for a low tech setup.

I spent a few hours today clearing crypts in the 180g in order to create a clear space for the teugelsi when he eventually is big enough to move in. It was an absolute mat of roots

This is the 75g with pfs s/he's currently housed in. I supplement with dry ferts, mainly as I'm trying to develop a carpet of baby's tears.

View attachment 1243655

O

O,
you have a planted tank heaven for your Teug! S/he is probably having a blast. Do you see her often, or does she like to frolic in the plants?

Thank you for sharing your experience with the pool sand. The picture is super inspiring. I can't even imagine what the 180 looks like. Makes me think I might be able to keep a plant alive. lol

When you say low tech, what does that mean in terms of lighting? I know HC baby tears require a lot of light. What is a dry fertilizer? Any links or information would be helpful.

 

[ocellatus]

That is simply stunning....more like wtf !!

Thanks! I'm trying to condition a school of 30 green tiger barbs for breeding in there, and they seem to really enjoy the overhead Val canopy. At least judging by the amount of posturing and dancing the males are doing.... The baby tears are grown on the off chance they spawn, I'd like a dense carpet to hide the eggs from the parents / horde of hungry tigers.

O

 

[ocellatus]

O,
you have a planted tank heaven for your Teug! S/he is probably having a blast. Do you see her often, or does she like to frolic in the plants?

Thank you for sharing your experience with the pool sand. The picture is super inspiring. I can't even imagine what the 180 looks like. Makes me think I might be able to keep a plant alive. lol

When you say low tech, what does that mean in terms of lighting? I know HC baby tears require a lot of light. What is a dry fertilizer? Any links or information would be helpful.

Thanks @ clm08k! I've only had her a few weeks. She was shy at first, but in the last few days she has started to hang out in the baby tears at the front glass. Like tonight-


I find her perched higher up among the Val's quite a bit as well. Lots of shade and a sense of safety from above no doubt.

This setup is only for grow-out mind you. I've no illusions that a large poly would be gently rest on those small fronds. Once she puts a bit of size on and is fully pellet trained she's bound for the larger tank with more open space. That tank has vals and crypts which are pretty rugged. Neither tank requires much plant expertise - I tend to keep the easy ones

This tank was relatively low light with 2 four foot T8 grow bulbs prior to the baby tears. It now has 2 four foot T5's which are substantially brighter. So much so I keep a large crew of ramshorn snails to ensure no algae gets a foothold. My clown loaches take care of the snails if their population swells too much.

Dry fertilizer is just the pure powder fertilizer you can buy in a hydroponics store. It's far more affordable than dosing the premixed versions from the aquarium industry.
They also sell very affordable light fixtures (e.g. Sunblaster), airline tubing etc.

I dose potassium sulfate, mono potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate (pure epsom salt from Walmart) and trace elements. Nitrogen comes naturally from fish waste. The trace are the most expensive, but you use very little so it all works out.

Looking forward to see how your setup turns out. Looks great so far!

O

 

[clm08k]

Thanks @ clm08k! I've only had her a few weeks. She was shy at first, but in the last few days she has started to hang out in the baby tears at the front glass. Like tonight-
View attachment 1243688

I find her perched higher up among the Val's quite a bit as well. Lots of shade and a sense of safety from above no doubt.

This setup is only for grow-out mind you. I've no illusions that a large poly would be gently rest on those small fronds. Once she puts a bit of size on and is fully pellet trained she's bound for the larger tank with more open space. That tank has vals and crypts which are pretty rugged. Neither tank requires much plant expertise - I tend to keep the easy ones

This tank was relatively low light with 2 four foot T8 grow bulbs prior to the baby tears. It now has 2 four foot T5's which are substantially brighter. So much so I keep a large crew of ramshorn snails to ensure no algae gets a foothold. My clown loaches take care of the snails if their population swells too much.

Dry fertilizer is just the pure powder fertilizer you can buy in a hydroponics store. It's far more affordable than dosing the premixed versions from the aquarium industry.
They also sell very affordable light fixtures (e.g. Sunblaster), airline tubing etc.

I dose potassium sulfate, mono potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate (pure epsom salt from Walmart) and trace elements. Nitrogen comes naturally from fish waste. The trace are the most expensive, but you use very little so it all works out.

Looking forward to see how your setup turns out. Looks great so far!

O

thank you for posting all that information. Most likely will continue to ask questions to you and magpie about plants. I think I'm going to go with some vals, cyrpts, and/or anubias. I have an old aquarium hood light for a 10 gallon. I think that's maybe a T5 bulb? Would this be enough for those plants in a 55g or no? I also still need to build my Vancouver_98683 style lazor light show with LEDS.

update: what's in the QT? there is nothing in the QT. The supplier sent glo danios instead of giant danios. Waiting to get those. By the time it's done my tank will probably be cycled before that. hahaha.

 

[jaws7777]

thank you for posting all that information. Most likely will continue to ask questions to you and magpie about plants. I think I'm going to go with some vals, cyrpts, and/or anubias. I have an old aquarium hood light for a 10 gallon. I think that's maybe a T5 bulb? Would this be enough for those plants in a 55g or no? I also still need to build my Vancouver_98683 style lazor light show with LEDS.

update: what's in the QT? there is nothing in the QT. The supplier sent glo danios instead of giant danios. Waiting to get those. By the time it's done my tank will probably be cycled before that. hahaha.

Grab the flo danios amd a bottleof safestart. Tank will be cycled in mo time. Net the glo danios and return them...we aint messing around and letting your new poly eat them and catch some parasite lol

 

[ocellatus]

thank you for posting all that information. Most likely will continue to ask questions to you and magpie about plants. I think I'm going to go with some vals, cyrpts, and/or anubias. I have an old aquarium hood light for a 10 gallon. I think that's maybe a T5 bulb? Would this be enough for those plants in a 55g or no? I also still need to build my Vancouver_98683 style lazor light show with LEDS.

update: what's in the QT? there is nothing in the QT. The supplier sent glo danios instead of giant danios. Waiting to get those. By the time it's done my tank will probably be cycled before that. hahaha.

No problem, glad to help . I really like the look of magpie setups too!

Is the bulb markedly thinner than a regular fluorescent tube? I'm thinking it would be unusual for it to be a T5 as they are a high output (T5HO) bulb and would blast a 10g with light. Easy enough to tell, just place it on the 55g. If it's dim, it's not a aT5.

The good news is, you don't have to go out and spend a bunch of money on an expensive light fixture. Your plant choices will do well in medium light, would grow well with a regular 40w fluorescent tube (or better a double tube fixture), and aren't demanding fertilizer / supplement wise. Plants like Anubis are quite slow growers, and therefore often become algae covered in higher light scenarios. Polys will appreciate the lower light levels as well.

Edit to add: If possible, try to get bulbs in the range of 6400k spectrum as they produce good growth.

O

 

[clm08k]

Grab the flo danios amd a bottleof safestart. Tank will be cycled in mo time. Net the glo danios and return them...we aint messing around and letting your new poly eat them and catch some parasite lol

lol that would happen. Hadn't heard anything from the guy in a while, so when I texted him about it, he said that mine would come in on the next order. Didn't want to push it. I feel like I've allready caused enough problems in that store lol. So fingers crossed for Tuesday.

 

[jaws7777]

lol that would happen. Hadn't heard anything from the guy in a while, so when I texted him about it, he said that mine would come in on the next order. Didn't want to push it. I feel like I've allready caused enough problems in that store lol. So fingers crossed for Tuesday.

Is this the "dem some damn dirty polys" lfs or the good one ?

If it was the DSDDP lfs and i lived near you i'd go there and hold the managers face above the piranha tank until he wet his pants