I have read all the threads on multiple sites of planting tanks. And im still not fully understanding it. Like how phospate plays a rule and the ppm's for carbon dioxide and CO2. I just dont fully understand it. I get the lighting but not the fertilization and ppm's and CO2. I have read where i dont need CO2 Then some say its a must! Im so confused can someone show me the planting tanks for dumbies way out....
How can i grasp the planted tank idea?
- Thread starter fishy12
- Start date
a good site for information is www.rexgrigg.com co2 will depend on the setup and plants youre after. i tried not to get too involved with understanding the chemistry behind the planted tank hobby. its more complicated than most can begin to understand.
thank god for drop checkers (for co2) and EI method (for nutrient dosing). these two little tools make the high tech planted hobby a breeze, IMO
thank god for drop checkers (for co2) and EI method (for nutrient dosing). these two little tools make the high tech planted hobby a breeze, IMO
I would just hold off on any CO2 until you're sure you need it. Start with lights & plants, then start dosing only if the plants need it. Too much ferts will just breed algae.
My first planted tank was a 20g with a single 24w light and fluorite substrate. I tried out the "natural aquarium" style with minimal fish and minimal effort and easy plants (Vals, a Crypt, and Wisteria). The Vals grew like mad, the Crypt melted and grew back slowly. The Wisteria failed in the 20g but did very well in an Eclipse 6g. That's about as simple as it gets.
Plants are just like animals in that they eat, drink and breathe. They eat dissolved minerals from the water. They drink the water in the tank to keep their cells hydrated and use in chemical reactions so they can grow. They inhale CO2 and exhale Oxygen. They all need the same nutrients, but in different proportions. There's no way to know what your plants will need until they are in your tank, with your water conditions.
So, I think the best advice is to plop some plants in a tank, give them some root tabs and light. If they grow well, great. If not, add a little of fertilizer or a little CO2, see what happens.
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I really love plants.
Plants are just like animals in that they eat, drink and breathe. They eat dissolved minerals from the water. They drink the water in the tank to keep their cells hydrated and use in chemical reactions so they can grow. They inhale CO2 and exhale Oxygen. They all need the same nutrients, but in different proportions. There's no way to know what your plants will need until they are in your tank, with your water conditions.
So, I think the best advice is to plop some plants in a tank, give them some root tabs and light. If they grow well, great. If not, add a little of fertilizer or a little CO2, see what happens.
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I really love plants.
just buy some lights and do it via trial and error. I have never read anything on phosphates or CO2 and all that jazz. My tank is flourishing. Don't over think things, get the proper spectrum, proper schedule, and use flourish excel, and flourish.
What are root tabs and wht do they do?
Also the 30 gallon will have 8 dwarf puffers and 5 otto cats.
Also a question outta the blue will this stockin work for my 175 gal. 4 pictus catfish 2 tiger oscars and 2 birchirs??? And if u got any additions or corrections i wld rlly like them!
Also the 30 gallon will have 8 dwarf puffers and 5 otto cats.
Also a question outta the blue will this stockin work for my 175 gal. 4 pictus catfish 2 tiger oscars and 2 birchirs??? And if u got any additions or corrections i wld rlly like them!
Root tabs are small tablets of fertilizer that you push into the substrate near the roots of your plants. They will have 3 numbers on them, just like garden plant fertilizers, for N/P/K. The ones I have are 0/0/6; so I'm only supplementing Potassium with it. Make sure they are pushed into the substrate. I've heard some people complain they caused an algae bloom.
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