introducing plants

[dj4elements]

I started my first planted tank of a few anubias nana and anubias barteri in a 10 gallon tank. After finally getting the hang of it, i decided that i wanted to add them to my already established 30 gallon tank.

My 30 gallon tank is solely decorated with smooth rocks, gravel, and plastic plants and currently houses a lone black ghost knifefish. My 10gal. planted tank had a little algae break out in the past(which was cured by limiting the light).

The plants are just anchored to drift wood and a few are actually growing out of the gravel. However, i am just going to add the plants attached to the drift wood by simply putting the drift wood in the already established 30gal. tank.

So finally i am reaching my questions. First off, will i run the risk of introducing any thing harmful to my 30 gal? Since my BGK is a scaleless fish, would an algae breakout harm it in any way? Lastly, do you recommend any other low-maintenance, beginner plants for a planted tank noob like myself?

thanks for all the help

 

[WyldFya]

There is no problem with algae unless you have one of the more difficult algaes. Other good beginner plants are amazons, java fern, bolbitis ferns, some aponogetons, cryptocorynes, and anubias are all good beginner low light plants. What kind of lighting do you have? Also, how much lighting do you give the plants each day? You should be doing a minimum of 8 hours every day. If you are having a green algae outbreak that covers the walls of your tank, then you can limit the lighting, IF you are over 8 hours. The next thing to look at is what your water params are. If you are lacking or in excess of nitrates, phosphates, potassium, or iron you can also cause an algae outbreak.

 

[dj4elements]

thanks for the reply wyldfya

Being a total beginner in planted tanks, I think I over exaggerated when i said "algae breakout". I only saw a couple of green spots on the glass, not a full blown carpeting that defined what an algae breakout was.

Also i wanted to ask about fertilizer. Is it absolutely necessary to add fertilizer to my substrate, if i am just growing java fern and species of anubias and amazon swords?

thanks again

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the i do not have a CO2 system in the tank.

 

[WyldFya]

Ferts are the food for you plants. They are definitely needed, but only as much as the plants need. A plant substrate would not hurt, but isn't 100% necessary. Amazon swords need nutrients from the substrate. However, if you aren't using a gravel vac on the substrate, and have messy fish, you won't have much problem.

 

[ewurm]

My plants have no problem with growth. If your fish produce enough nitrogenous waste, you shouldn't need ferts, but rather supplements. I saw amazing growth after starting a treatment of potassium and iron. Try Kent Freshwater Plant.