semi planted tank...few ??'s

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
D

dsubaru

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 5, 2008
150
0
0
Sacramento
Hello I have a new tank that was originally set up for Tanganyika Cichlids. The I have 1 Brichardi and 3 Juliodochromis's along with a bristlenose pleco and 3 dwarf rainbows.

I've recently found out that its going to be hard to stock any more tangs into this tank so I decided to add more plants to fill in the tank. So far I have a Anubias Nana and an Anubias Coffeefolia. They seem to be doing ok with exception for some algae. I want to know if its going to be ok long term to add more plants to this combination, primarily plants for the background. (BTW I'd be taking out the rocks from the back to make room for plants)

Tank details:

Size: 29gal
substrate: crushed coral
lights: 2x18w freshwater (colormax, 6700k)
lots of rock
Filtration: HOB Emperor 280
Dosing: Flourish for now but will add Flourish Excel soon for CO2

Here are the questions...

1. I have read that my substrate is not great for plants due to a potential raise in PH. Will fine crushed coral keep plants from flourshing in my tank?

2. Would it be beneficial to mix flourite, clay or catliter into the existing substrate.

3. What plants do you think will tolerate higher than typical PH

4. I was thinking of adding Java Fern or something simliar to background to add some coverage and green color. Any suggestions?

Here is picture of tank as it is now...
NewLightnoflash.jpg
 
All my tanks are planted, the substrate in each vary's from flourite to clay, the visable base also varies from crushed corals to river stone and I haven't had any problems growing flora..........couldn't tell ya bout cat liter. I can tell ya that liquid CO2 causes hole-in-the-head in some species of cichlids. I'd recommend the Jungle CO2 tab/defusor system instead, cheap, costs about $20 and I use it in all size tanks as needed, in time my tanks have been able to create enuff CO2 it's not ness. for me to use it. I can also tell you that anibus and java fern will rot if their rhizomes are in soil of any kind. Your gonna want to tie them to either driftwood or lava rock with fish string. I can also tell you 5500K is natural daylight (low) and 11,000K is optimal for any plant that has a color other than green. PH hasn't been much of an issue for me so long as the ph stays constant most aquatic life can adapt.With that being said you should be able to grow just about everything but stay away from Madagascar Lace plants if you have a heater in your tank.

Aponogentons and Crypts are easy and not bothered by ph ranges of 8
Diandra, Rotola Indica, and dwarf onion grass are easy
Chilensis is a tall grass that likes the high ph range

On the opposite end there are plants that you should stear clear becvause they will consume your tank.

Cabomba, Hornwort, Myrio, dwarf lilies or lotus,and ludwigia to name a few.

hope this helps
 
What is your pH?

Also, ,those anubias would do better if you pulled them out of the substrate. The rhizome (lateral finger-like structure which the leaves grow out of) cannot be buried or it will rot.
 
thx for the responses... I bought a couple pieces of pourous rock I cant think of the name but its very pourous, and is delicate. I had hard time with tying my anubias to the rock due to so many roots, and only having two hands so I drilled hole in the middle to push in the roots and then I sunk them into the coral in hopes that the CC will keep the plant from floating up.. My hopes is that in a couple weeks they would attach to the rock. The Rhizone is not buried though cause I knew they would rot.

I dont know my exact PH at this time but I've tested my tap water and it was in the mid 7's so I suspect that the CC will raise the PH.

I'll be googling the recommended plants to see what I can find locatlly. thx for the information.
 
My pH is near 8. I keep crypts, anubias, ferns, hygros, baby tears, sagittaria subulate, bog plants like hornwort, anacharis, red temple, ambulia. I think that unless you were to get into high tech fancy high light stem plants you can probably keep just about anything you are interested in with that low lighting.
 
Update.... I got some plants this past weekend. I picked up a Melon Sword, some type of Anubias (rear right corner), Anubias Lanceolata, and a type of grass.. What do you think..

I've been seeing a lot of algae build up... Mostly a bright green on the rocks, really dark algae on the middle Anubias.. and some sections that have some short hair algae. I've read that lack of CO2 is cause of this so I picked up some Flourish Excel. I hope that will take care of the algae.

I also added a chinese algae eater since the bristlenose aint eating any algae.

Newplants.jpg
 
The sword might not do to well in that ph, range. They also tend to favor higher light. You could opt for one of the taller growing anubias there are some with sword like leaf shape when you need to replace it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom