New to planting...HELP!

[skillzdatkillz]

First off I am a total nubcake at planting. I am working on a 135 that has a mix of large central american cichlids in in. I want to plant the back part of the tank to cover up the back because I am not going to make a backround. Could I use plants with my setup? Do I need any special equipment or substrate for planting? What are your suggestions for plants? I need somthing that is 'full' so it can cover the back.

Thanks!

 

[fisher12889]

I would probably use plastic plants, because in my experience, cichlids will really tear up live plants!

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

It's always worth a shot to try plants, even with cichlids. In your case, I think Vallisneria are the best choice. They can form curtains and after a while completely cover the back of the tank from bottom to top. It worked on my 220 gal (see gallery) Although Vallisneria are pretty hardy, they like an iron-rich substrate. You may want to think about a substrate fertilizer, such as laterite or fluorite as well as the regular use of a liquid iron fertilizer.

HarleyK



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[skillzdatkillz]

do I need a co2 system? This probobley a very retarded question but do you take the plants out of the pot thing they come in and plant them directly in the substrate?

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Vallisneria are definitely a no-CO2-required species ! And yes, you generally take all plants out of the pots, remove any substrate or lead bands and plant them in your tank. This way, they can expand and replicate w/o restrictions. You only use pots if you have big digging fish or an otherwise bare bottom tank.

HarleyK




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[skillzdatkillz]

Ok so heres what I think I am going to do. I was gonna put a combination of "corkscrew vallisneria", "Temple-Narrow leaf", and some "java fern". I am going to use either pool filter sand or play sand w/ flora root substrate enricher. The only thing I am concered about is if I have enough light. My light fixture is a single tube 72" flouresent light.

Tell me if this is alright

 

[spinnerbayt]

I can tell you right now its not enough. I am running 6x65 watt pc. If you are going to stick with low to medium light plants then I would look into some DIY ODNO setups. You could also order form AHSUPPLY. You could do something like 3x55 watt across the back for your plants and then put your existing light across the front for coverage. I could keep going and going on setups but I won't. If you want more help PM me or keep asking right here. Alot just depends on what you want the final out come to look like.

 

[skillzdatkillz]

I can tell you right now its not enough. I am running 6x65 watt pc. If you are going to stick with low to medium light plants then I would look into some DIY ODNO setups. You could also order form AHSUPPLY. You could do something like 3x55 watt across the back for your plants and then put your existing light across the front for coverage. I could keep going and going on setups but I won't. If you want more help PM me or keep asking right here. Alot just depends on what you want the final out come to look like.

wow almost everything you said confused me. could u explain what a diy odno setup is?

 

[marcos]

Ok so heres what I think I am going to do. I was gonna put a combination of "corkscrew vallisneria", "Temple-Narrow leaf", and some "java fern". I am going to use either pool filter sand or play sand w/ flora root substrate enricher. The only thing I am concered about is if I have enough light. My light fixture is a single tube 72" flouresent light.

Tell me if this is alright

the java fern should be fine the do well in very low light tanks and ok with most cichlids as long as the cant uproot them just tie them to some rock or driftwood and don't worry about the substrate the don't like to be buried they gt there nutrients from the rhizome not the roots you could also try Anubis the same way just tying them down but your lights may be to weak for them but I would give it a try

 

[spinnerbayt]

Ok, I guess I'll start with the DIY ODNO... odno stands for OVER DRIVEN NORMAL OUTPUT. If you are a good diy person then this is a cheap why to get alot of light. You can buy a ELECTRONIC ballast that is made for 4 f32 T8 lamps and over drive ONE lamp by 4X's by running all 4 leads into one lamp. If you need more on this you can do a google search or if you want me to I can maybe dig up some stuff. If your not real handy with doing stuff yourself then maybe something like 2 Coralife 36" 96 watt pc lights would be worth the extra money. http://www.hellolights.com/361xcofraq1x.html Keep it comming and we'll find a solution.