120g Hardwater planted

[gobucks1]

As algae eaters, would you guys recommend Bristlenose Plecos or true SAE?

There are no dosing instructions on the bags since every tank is unique. on GreenLeafAquariums under the fertilizer section, there will be a few links on the Estimative Index dosing method, and a calculator to figure out how much you should dose. If you didn't want to use the calculator then try searching google for EI dosing regimes and try them out.

Thanks, i'll start with those levels and adjust from there based on what the plants need.
When it says "traces" on there, is that referring to the "micros" in the fertilizer? Or is something else entirely?

For non CO2 and hard water, Types of Anacharis and Hornwort would do very well. They are efficient users of bicarbonate.

Plants such as:

Ceratophyllum demersum
C. submersum

Egeria Densa
Egeria najas
Lagarosiphon Major

Most milfoils do well in hard water, although I am not sure if parrot feather does. I have Milfoil, java moss AND Lagarosiphon Major in my tank, growing well. I never checked the hardness but the PH is over 7.6 and I get calcium deposits all the time on the waterline and above... So I gather it is hard.

These plants could make a very good background for your tank. L. major might be illegal in your area so watch out.

I really like the Milfoils and the L. Major. Is there anywhere i can check to see if the L. Major is illegal in WV?

Thanks.

 

[Adhlc]

As algae eaters, would you guys recommend Bristlenose Plecos or true SAE?



Thanks, i'll start with those levels and adjust from there based on what the plants need.
When it says "traces" on there, is that referring to the "micros" in the fertilizer? Or is something else entirely?

I'd go with both SAE and Bristlenose, a few of each for a 120.

Generally anytime you see "traces" in reference to EI dosing, they're talking about micros, or your Plantex CSM+B.

 

[gobucks1]

I'd go with both SAE and Bristlenose, a few of each for a 120.

Generally anytime you see "traces" in reference to EI dosing, they're talking about micros, or your Plantex CSM+B.

So three of each would be efficient? I'm not worried about them getting the glass, just the plants.

Okay, that clears that up, thanks.

 

[Adhlc]

Not a problem, glad I could help.

 

[velanarris]

Uhm, if you want to really get a cleaning crew to deal with algae you use snails and oto cats.

Even true SAEs don't necessarily eat algae for their whole life. Plecos are good but they typically thrash your plants when they get frisky.

Oto Cats are for the win, they don't damage plants, they're small, and they're algae eating machines. As long as the tank mates won't eat em, they're your best bet.

Edit: Just looked at your list of fish. You're going to have a tough time planting that tank at all, and the tankmates preclude Otos.

 

[Louie]

Any particular sp. of crypts you'd recommend? I like the looks of spiralis, wendtii, and walkerii, would they all do well?
I've never had much luck with java fern it always just turns brown in patches. Is the Bolbitis fern called Bolbitis heudelotii? Most of the sites i've seen said that hard water would lead to brown leaves?

So, vals americana and gigantea; anubias Barteri, Nana and Congensis; and crypt spiralis and green wendtii and walkerii. And maybe the bolbitis.

What about the Micro & Macro Fertilizer Package from Greenleaf? Would that be good for my chosen plants?


Thanks for you help.

Water is hard here also over 8.2 . Vals grow like weeds here lush and fast .