View Full Version : Low tech planted tank help
Hi there guys
So I sold all my Julidochromis I bred out including the parents( the fry just take too long too grow.... Price vs effort not worth it)
I'm going to turn this tank into a planted tank. The idea is to start off low tech and slowly climb the later into higher tech'sfile:///C:/Users/Vernon/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif
I got absolutely no idea where to start. Never kept plants before. I have done some reading, looks like I will start out with some Java ferns and moss.
Tank volume and dimensions: 600mmx450mmx500mm +-130L
Lighting: I will be using about 30w of T8 lighting to start out.
Filtration: Fluval 104 canister filter
Substrate: I have no idea?? What should I use?
Fish: I currently have 4 angels, 8 danios, 1 ancistrus
The idea here is to start low tech with the idea of not spending any vast amounts of money to get it started. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
As a quick reply...
Start off with PFP + Chemicult under your substrate. (PFS will suffice). Whilst this is a relatively cheap option, it is highly regarded and works very well. Check out the Professor's sub forum for more information on it.
Then start to increase your lighting at a later stage
This one: http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?3950-Palm-Fibre-Peat-fertilized-with-Chemicult-as-a-substrate-for-growing-aquatic-plants
What plants do you suggest? Java ferns, Java moss, anubias?
Are there any common noob mistakes I need to avoid?
Trevor Pleco
26-04-2011, 15:54
Yea perhaps add some vallis, cripts to that list and you are well on the way to a LTT ! Would suggest some of Prof's Ferts as well and gradully improve your lighting..
Quote - ''So I sold all my Julidochromis I bred out including the parents( the fry just take too long too grow.... Price vs effort not worth it)''
Hey, its supposed to be hobby after all !
Quote - ''So I sold all my Julidochromis I bred out including the parents( the fry just take too long too grow.... Price vs effort not worth it)''
Hey, its supposed to be hobby after all !
True, I enjoyed them but they really grow way too slow..... @ 5 months old they were 12mm in size : )
Yea perhaps add some vallis, cripts to that list and you are well on the way to a LTT
Tx, will do.
Would suggest some of Prof's Ferts as well and gradully improve your lighting..
What should I aim for lighting wise? I got a 150W MH lying around, but I'm sure that will be over kill for a low tech tank? Heat may also become a problem : /
Plant list so far: Vallisneria spirali
Java Fern
Java moss
Cripts
Discus guy do a 30W T8 tube fit over a 600mm tank?
150W MH would be overkill.
I think 2x24W T5 tubes will fit better.
If you are going low tech now wanting to upgrade later why not use simple
CFL now that you can later use somewhere in your house.
Java moss grows allright but isn't the best looking and quickly gets sloppy.
Gerhard
Discus guy do a 30W T8 tube fit over a 600mm tank?
I thought I had 2 15w tubes but I see they 10W each.... A little on the low side I say.
I think 2x24W T5 tubes will fit better.
That sounds good, I was also thinking of maybe going with 3 6500K LED bulbs.
If you are going low tech now wanting to upgrade later why not use simple
CFL now that you can later use somewhere in your house.
Not sure on the jargon ; ) What are you saying: 0
Java moss grows allright but isn't the best looking and quickly gets sloppy.
Maybe Ill give them a skip then. Thanks for the heads up.
6500K LED bulbs
These typically have a narrow beam so they focus is very direct in an aquarium.
Vallisneria spirali Java Fern Java moss Cripts if this is your first planted tank choice then skip the pfp and master silica and water column fertz .. ignoring the cripts - for the rest PFP is an overkill.
Later Ferdie
Cfl = energy saving bulb.
You can try 2x 18W cool daylight phillip bulbs.
These typically have a narrow beam so they focus is very direct in an aquarium.
Even the High output bulbs? They relativly new to the aquarium trade, some people use them as a main source of lighting on a sps tank.
if this is your first planted tank choice then skip the pfp and master silica and water column fertz .. ignoring the cripts - for the rest PFP is an overkill.
Later Ferdie
Maybe, do you think I should take baby steps and skip PFP or just jump into pfp from the get go?
Cfl = energy saving bulb.
You can try 2x 18W cool daylight phillip bulbs.
Makes sense now, good Idea. I might look into that!
I would first skip the PFP - things can go wrong with it if it is your first time; you will want to move things around - add stuff, replace etc then PFP can become an issues.. start slow - get it working learn what needs to be learned ... Vis is right - rather go for the CFLs see if you can get the philips tornado - it has better Lm/W and is nice and compact.
LED's you need to do it properly. If you do not use CREE's its pretty much
a waste. These come at a very high price if you include drivers etc.
The cheapy leds just don't cut it.
I would first skip the PFP - things can go wrong with it if it is your first time; you will want to move things around - add stuff, replace etc then PFP can become an issues.. start slow - get it working learn what needs to be learned ... Vis is right - rather go for the CFLs see if you can get the philips tornado - it has better Lm/W and is nice and compact.
So what would you recommend I try keep alive? Java ferns and moss? When my confidence builds I can go all out from the get go?
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/images/icons/icon1.png
LED's you need to do it properly. If you do not use CREE's its pretty much
a waste. These come at a very high price if you include drivers etc.
The cheapy leds just don't cut it.
For sure, might be more cost effective to just use T5's.
With CFL's - silica substrate and your current list of plants
"Vallisneria spirali
Java Fern
Java moss
Cripts"
I think you can make a darn good display - esp if you do a bit of hardscaping.
With CFL's - silica substrate and your current list of plants
"Vallisneria spirali
Java Fern
Java moss
Cripts"
I think you can make a darn good display - esp if you do a bit of hardscaping.
I think Ill go for that for now. Thanks for the advice, Ill give it a try. What ferts do you use?
I use the prof's ferts. Really good and well worth the money (and they not expensive).
For best results while you are figuring things - get some DSD ..
r best results while you are figuring things - get some DSD ..
DSD??? LOL, lamens terms : )
You can also keep some amazon swords in that setup. I have some
Broadleaf amazons in a 2 ft with cfls and they grow like mad.
Trevor Pleco
27-04-2011, 09:56
Go for T5s, as once you get bitten by the plant bug you will soon want more light, promise..
Go for T5s, as once you get bitten by the plant bug you will soon want more light, promise.. LOL, I know how these things go.... I'm already pondering on just going all out from the word go: )
Do you guys think 2 T5's will be the way too go? Or should I go for more.
Trevor Pleco
27-04-2011, 10:04
You can also keep some amazon swords in that setup. I have some
Broadleaf amazons in a 2 ft with cfls and they grow like mad.
Remember, they grow huge and you will soon run out of space for all the other plants you discover.. this is currently my problem even with a 720lt low tech planted.. check it out ...
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?7137-New-beeg-planted-tank-early-days..
Remember, they grow huge and you will soon run out of space for all the other plants you discover.. this is currently my problem even with a 720lt low tech planted.. check it out ...
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/sh...ank-early-days (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?7137-New-beeg-planted-tank-early-days)..
Very nice! What substrate you using? Do you dose ferts into the water column?
Have any of you tried this?
http://aquaria.co.za/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_122_152&products_id=108&zenid=429ec3845637928656a5deb364f113e7
Sera CO2 Start - Economical Plant Care Start Kit (http://aquaria.co.za/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_122_152&products_id=108)
Trevor Pleco
27-04-2011, 17:48
Very nice! What substrate you using? Do you dose ferts into the water column?
Using a 60/40 flourite-silica mix, full flourite would cost a couple of K for this size tank, the Amazons are potted in a pfp/flourite mix, which is a big help when moving and I thought might restrict their growth a bit .. LOL. Most of the tank specs are on my original thread. Perhaps Google
Walstad style or el natural for more low tech ideas.
Hi Discusguy, have a look at my cube, it has similar dimensions using pfp and low light.
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?5957-NEW-550mm-CUBE
My planted tank is 140L. I'm running a Fluval 204 and I have 2X 30W atm. A DIY CO2 and too many fish.
Have a look if you interested. I have since changed a lot so it needs an update. I'm using PFP capped with PFS and dosing Profs' Fertz.
My tank (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?6939-My-tank)
My planted tank is 140L. I'm running a Fluval 204 and I have 2X 30W atm. A DIY CO2 and too many fish.
Have a look if you interested. I have since changed a lot so it needs an update. I'm using PFP capped with PFS and dosing Profs' Fertz.
My tank (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?6939-My-tank)
Great thanks, I think I am going to open a new thread. Looks like I am going "high tech". I got allot of plans, once everything is finalized Ill open a new thread.
Thanks for the link, Nice tank!
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