Should i give up?? need help

[Tstove15]

Well first off i have seen amazing growth with my two amazon swords and compacta amazon swords. About 3 weeks after my tank was set up i had a huge amount of snails and just bought some clown loaches yesterday and they have taken out the whole population. Now i gave up on my dwarf hairgrass and now i want to make it into a way over grown jungle....

Should i restart?
or should i keep adding plants now that i think my tank is good?

 

[flowerpower]

Lots more plants. What type of lighting do you have? Are you adding CO2?

 

[Deaths Sting]

it looks like u have a pretty solid foundation, im not sure why u think its appropriate to restart?

i think its looks great and restarting would be a waste of time and effort.

could u stat all the tank specs please?

the over grown jungle idea is great, i like the look personally.. heres my over grown jungle, maybe u can get a few ideas from it..http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251099

 

[Tstove15]

i have two compact flourescents at 17 watts each but compare to 50 watts of regular bulbs.....the lights are growing the plants great and i have a cheap CO2 system that problay isnt doing anything lol. The reason the plants are so mest up is becuase of the snails did a number to the plants...will they recover or regrow leavs?

 

[Tstove15]

i have been watching your thread and that is exactly how i want it lol...tank is a 16 gallon with two amazon swords and two amazon compacta's....I want to know what kind of plants becuase i want it really dense. So i guess i dont have to restart

 

[Deaths Sting]

i have two compact flourescents at 17 watts each but compare to 50 watts of regular bulbs.....the lights are growing the plants great and i have a cheap CO2 system that problay isnt doing anything lol. The reason the plants are so mest up is becuase of the snails did a number to the plants...will they recover or regrow leavs?

do u know the kelvin rating of ur lights?

snails are gone = plants should recover nicely, dont sweat it..

if ur co2 system isnt working then just make a DIY co2 reactor for $5 and get an airstone to diffuse the co2. u could also dose Flourish Excel but it cost a little $$$..

i have been watching your thread and that is exactly how i want it lol...tank is a 16 gallon with two amazon swords and two amazon compacta's....I want to know what kind of plants because i want it really dense. So i guess i dont have to restart

u could achieve density easily by planting closer together. u could also fill small spots with little pieces of driftwood and moss. personally, i like the mossy wood look.


no, do not restart!

 

[Tstove15]

thanks calvin rating is 6700K and my CO2 system is working but i was just told taht it is not neccessary in a small tank like that....and on the third picture you can see that one of the amazon compactas is growing this root that extends up and has othe rplants growing. They are growing straight up so as you can see there are the white roots. Im not sure if i should just bury that line and keep them in a single file line or if i should cut in between and plant each of the new plants

I will get better pics later tonight

 

[Deaths Sting]

thanks calvin rating is 6700K and my CO2 system is working but i was just told taht it is not neccessary in a small tank like that....and on the third picture you can see that one of the amazon compactas is growing this root that extends up and has othe rplants growing. They are growing straight up so as you can see there are the white roots. Im not sure if i should just bury that line and keep them in a single file line or if i should cut in between and plant each of the new plants

I will get better pics later tonight

6700K is good! that's what i use as well

co2 isn't necessary at all.. no matter how big or small the tank is... Co2 is just a helping hand in plant growth. for $5 plus an airstone DIY co2 is so worth it..IMO. i can help u build one if u like...

if its an overgrown jungle look, just leave the plants alone and let them grow however they want... my hygros grow roots all over the place. i just let them be and they grow like crazy.

 

[Tstove15]

haha that sounds good ot me....should i wait to add some neons or cardinals? or can they be added

 

[Deaths Sting]

haha that sounds good ot me....should i wait to add some neons or cardinals? or can they be added

if the tank is completely cycled - i don't see why not?

this is how u make the Co2 reactor ( i modified the original instructions):

quipment:
1. 2 liter pop bottle
2. 2 Cups of Sugar
3. 1/4-1 teaspoon of yeast
4. 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)
5. silicone

Recipe:
1. 2 Cups of Sugar
2. 1/4-1 teaspoon of yeast (more yeast = faster reaction = more CO2 for shorter time (2+ weeks))
3. 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)

Making the Canister (Reaction Bottle):
1. Take drill bit or hammer and a small nail (smaller than the diameter of tubing).
2. Unscrew your cap, hammer/drill the nail into the cap to make a small hole
3. Get some Airline tubing and pull it through the small hole with pliers.
4. use silicone to make the seal around the tub and cap air tight.

Adding the Recipe:
1. Add 2 cups Sugar
2. Fill the container with water up to 3/4 way.
3. Add 1/4-1 teaspoon yeast
4. Add 1/4 teaspoon (baking soda)
5. Put the cap on and twist it on tight.
6. shake it up
7. remove the cap put on the cap with the airline attached.