Balanced ecosystem and nitrate using plants

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Namor69

Feeder Fish
Jul 9, 2011
1
0
0
Ireland
Hi folks,

I'm new to fish keeping (and this forum)so I have a lot to learn. Have been looking around loads too, lovely place you've got here.

I've just acquired a 350 litre (95 us gallon) aquarium and I'm in the process of fishless cycling the tank. I know nothing about fish keeping and this is my first aquarium, I got it for an amazing bargain. I've a reverse osmosis machine too so the water is nice and clean. I'm hoping to keep a large number of small (beginner) fish in the aquarium. I intend to keep the fish and not just have the fish, I'm not interested in killing them or giving them a sub-standard life.

Because of the maintence involved I was hoping to keep live plants to help use up excess nitrates in the tank. I wanted to know what plants would be best to help keep an equilibrium in the tank and reduce water replacement.

At the moment I have gravel at the bottom of my tank. Due to the size and shape (it is a Juwel juwel 350 trigon corner tank) I'm going to arrange the rocks and ornaments to make levels with caves and flat surfaces. I was hoping to put sand on top of the flat surfaces to, in essence, create more 'ground' surface area. I have heard of an aquarium plant that grows short (I suppose almost mossy) and is goof over top sand.

Also, could you tell me what fish would also help in the ballancing of the tank eco-system... and are there any plants that could just grow and become food? Perhaps making a closed (or almost closed) system?

Any advice or information would be VERY MUCH appreciated!

Thanks folks!
 
Few fish eat plants. I wouldn't bother. Having aquatic plants under water won't remove the nitrogen, just use it. However, if you have a large die off from the plants, that nitrogen will be back. External plants would be better for your needs. Try something like ivy with its roots in the water.
 
low tech planted tanks tend to involve less water changes. meaning low light, no co2, and nutritous substrate. otto cats and shrimp would help keep plants clean without eating them. waterchanges are done less often or to none because they cause spikes in co2 and slow down plant growth. using a low tech tank you are limited in your choice of plants; meaning low light plants.
 
Do a little research on the walstad method or el natural. Check out aquaticplantcentral.com for more info. Have my 29 hex set up like this and has been running great for almost 2 years with little to no maintenance. Other than when I moved, I have done maybe one water change in the last year and fish are happy and healthy. Top off once in a while and trim the plants is all I do.

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Don't forget that water changes do more than just remove nitrates. DOC (Dissolved organic compounds) build up in the water and need to be removed, minerals and trace elements within the water get depleted and need to be replenished. Neither of those things are accomplished with plants.
 
29 hex. Layer of soil ( miracle grow organic choice) under a layer of fine gravel. Power head with a sponge filter. About 2 watts/gallon with a DIY fixture. Just screw in CFLs

Plants:
Amazon sword
Onion plant
Various crypts
Java moss
Christmas moss
Java ferns
Anubias
Duck weed
Amazon frogbit

There are also spider plants, bamboo, ivy, and pathos growing in the back in a shower caddy with roots down in the water

Fish: (right now)
Opaline gourami
White clouds
Dwarf frog
Numerous snails

I'm definitely not an expert on this method, but all I can say is that it's working for me
 
well the DOCs would be removed by the plants, minerals and trace elements can be added back into the water without a water change and if u have a natural substrate then i am sure that the minerals and elements those provide will last a while. but there are always liquid vitamins that can be added. plus when the fish are fed the food will contain some minerals and vitamins that will leak back into the water.
 
pshtex said:
well the DOCs would be removed by the plants, minerals and trace elements can be added back into the water without a water change and if u have a natural substrate then i am sure that the minerals and elements those provide will last a while. but there are always liquid vitamins that can be added. plus when the fish are fed the food will contain some minerals and vitamins that will leak back into the water.
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You are talking about a level of mastery with biological balancing that experts struggle with, the OP here is pretty new to the hoby. The best advise he can be given is to change 50% of his water once every 7-10 days.
 
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