How to make a planted aquarium and Cardinal Tetra Missing

[chasers]

I have two questions first... I am transferring my 45 gallon into a blackwater amazon river tank and I want it to be planted heavily. My question is how do I do this. I have never had much luck with live plants. So is there any tips that you can give me? My second question is I bought 6 cardinal tetras and 7 black neons yesterday and put them in the tank and this morning 3 of the cardinals are gone. Now I know that eventually the angels will go after them but the angels are so small I am pretty sure they couldn't have killed them and eaten them. However, do you think the pictus catfish I have in there could have done it? Even though they are small they could have probably fit them in their mouth. Finally my last question is my goal was to have 2 rubber lip plecos and 3 otocats, what do you think.

Thanks

 

[Crashkt90]

For the first part. You need at least 2 watts per gallon, with that you will be able to grow any plant. You can use co2, I don't. A good rule for plants, fore ground, mid ground, back ground. Make sure you get a good substrate, I use eco-complete, i see no reason to use ADA stuff its too expensive. Just do research on what planets you have some places sell plants that aren't made to live in water. I happen to have one but im seeing if i can make it work so far so good.

 

[Tropicalfish34]

What probably happened was that the pictus cats probably ate them so you should probably either move the tetras or better pictus cats and latter angels. As for rubber lips and oto cats if you move the angels and pictus you should be fish

 

[gurlgotkat2000]

stores sometime label bog plants as true aquatics so watch out for that. some easy plants that require minimal requirements: amazon sword, anubius, crypts, marmio ball, and aquarium plant bulbs. stem plants tend to be a little harder to keep, but here are some easy ones: water sprite, luigia repens, rotala indica/ rotundifolia. make sure you buy a good nutritous and fine substrate and if possible(though not nessary) a better light.

 

[jpierce3]

What are the dimensions of your tank? if your 45 is like the one I just sold today, it's only 12" tall. Mine was 48x18x12. Actually, if this is the case, it's really good for plants or corals because you don't have to penetrate very far with the light. On the down side, after 3" of substrate, it doesn't leave much room for tall plants. Micro swords and smaller plants would work great. There are a lot of swords that do well partially submerged so if you hang the lights above the tank, that would be cool too.

Pictus cats are really good predators. My wife found out by sticking a couple in with her white clouds and rasboras many years ago. She woke up to two very fat pictus only. I would suggest Aspi's, cory's, or brochi's. Angles would get too tall for a 12" tank if that's what it is.

Choose your filter carefully. Hang on backs and sponge filter will create surface agitation and most likely you will lose CO2 especially if you start adding it in. Which is a good choice if you can afford it. A good canister filter or just some power heads would be my choice. Check hydroponics stores, they usually carry co2 systems for a lot less than LFS and some will refill your tank.