Fresh

Hi guys

I'm new to the hobby, with a few months of research behind me and ready to start a tank.
I've always like freshwater tanks over marine tanks. Think it might be because the plants
and the creativity I've seen put into the tanks and seen what's possible.

Got a 'Nano' tank, 600x400x400 to start with. There's something about an empty tank that
gets to you. It might be the endless possibilites of what you can create. No two tanks are the same.

I've decided to join the site and to make new friends with the same passion for creating
and maintaining a controlled eco-system.

My goal is to create a planted tank, and once it's ready I'll add fish to my tank.

Thus far, I have a weak selection of plants, due to the fact that the stores don't stock a wide selection.
So my hunt begins for plants.

I've done some research, and for the newbies like myself, below is my hit list: (fast and easy growing plants)

Hydrocotyle tripartita
[BL - mod edit]
Myriophyllum matogrossense Green form
Glossostigma elatinoides
[BL - mod edit]
Sagittaria subulata
Limnophila aquatica
[BL - mod edit]
Hemianthus callitrichoides ''Cuba''
Christmas moss
Ranunculus inundatus

Anyone that has any of the above plants to trade, give me a shout.

Thanks guys
I'm based in CT.

 

Might want to check this .. Freshwater Plant Blacklist

BTW welcome to TASA ...

 

Thanks F-fish

 

BTW what substrate are you planning on using and what lighting ... some of those plants need a little extra TLC.

Later Ferdie

 

Hi Ferdie. Seachem Black, and still need to get lighting. Was thinking T5 54W tubes?
You took some of the wind out of my sail with the black list for a second. lol I need to see what I'm going to do now regarding plants. Really had my heart set on those.

 

Welcome @Hotdog.... sorry for the edit of your first post,but as ferdie pointed out,some of them are currently on the SA Black List - meaning the trade and keeping of these species are not allowed....

Nice to see you have done some research before embarking on this marvelous hobby - so many do not...Welcome to the wet nut house mate!!!

 

Hi Azurekoi. lol thanks man. I was just attempting to edit my original post going over the list to see what's left lol
Thanks for the edit. Glad to have found a place with people sharring a passion.
So what's left on the list is cool?

 

Welcome dude!

Firstly, 54 watt t5 tubes are just under 1.2m long, so you'll never fit them over that size tank. 24watts will work though.

Secondly, you will need to column dose ferts. Adding fertilizer into the water to grow your plants.

Then you will need a carbon source. Co2 or Flourish excel or microbe lift bio carbon. Co2 would be my choice, because it's cheaper in the long run.

Thirdly, welcome to the forum!!! I hope you find all the info you need. If you need any more info, don't hesitate to ask!

Regards

Sean

 

Hi Sean

Thanks Sean.
What T5 24watt tubes can you suggest I use that will work well for a planted tank?
I have flourish excel and flourish for adding to the water after each water change. Do you know of any powder form fertilzer that I can add underneath my substrate?
Does bio-carbon bags that fit into canister filters do the same as CO2 tank injection?
I'm in CT, do you know where I can get CO2 tanks (2-5kg) and regulators? I actually wanted to wait on going the CO2 route.
Do you know of any good sites in SA where I can find plants, Shrimps.co.za are limited.

Do you have a planted tank, if so I would really like to see some photos if you have links. I like seeing what people do with their tanks.

kind regards

 

For plants, the correct light spectrum is between 6500k and 8000k. I use sylvannia tubes. You can get them at a place called lamphouse. I think there is a branch in the cape. Otherwise try big hardware stores.

Try Chubb fire for your co2 bottles. They will be fire extinguishers. Don't worry, they work perfectly.

No, activated carbon is not a carbon source to plants. It's a chemical absorption treatment. It's got nothing to do with carbon needed for plants to photosynthesize.

You are dosing excel. This is your carbon source. Some say it's dangerous. I still use it, as do many others. It's your choice at the end o the day. I say it's a great algecide.

Also, you will need to get some form of macro nutrients into your tank. You say you dose flourish. This is not a complete fertilizer. You will need NPK as well. NPK is nitrate, phosphate and potassium. These are some of the vital ingredients to growing plants successfully. Flourish is mainly a traces mixture. You need to supplement this with macro elements too.

I hope this helps somewhat?

Sean