Need help on massive cichlid planted project.

Before I start with questions I would just like to say a few things. I have never really kept a plant and I'm very into my monster cichlids. So I apologize in advance for any mistakes I make or ignorance I show. I will really appreciate all of your advice.

I recently bought a co2 kit with a diffuser, regulator and canisters and thought I should try something out. I have a 1.5m tank with water height of 60cm that I would like to try plant. I however do not want to buy special aqua soil as I am on a student budget and this will be my tank in my varsity flat. I plan on running 2 54watt t5s so I'd like to know what kelvin will suit this tank and will this be sufficient for hardy plants such as the amazon sword. Another question will the co2 compensate for the lack of aqua soil and show me good growth.

Now the problem is the tank is going to hold my 32cm Midas cichlid jagger. He is quite boisterous and does not accept people or tank mates. I have gathered that it can be done as he does not really rearrange his tank now as long as he has enough swimming space. So I'm thinking or heavily planting the 2 sides of the tank. I will be running a canister filter and a internal sponge filter. I also assume I will have to fasten the plants down with egg create or something.

Now for some pics of my motivation and proof that it can be done.
Thanks for viewing
Regards Michael

 

Here is Jagger

 

Here is my co2 kit

 

Yeah it should be possible to keep the hardy type plants in your tank. Amazon swords, java ferns and anubias that is about the list of plants I would use with Jagger.

And yes the co2 will give you extra growth.

On the light issue, I would rather get a dual 80w ballast with 2 x 8000k 80w tubes

This will be sufficient if you only want to go low tech.

Good luck.

 

Thanks @The BARB King. Will look at those plants and those lights. Then would I manage with normal gravel ?

 

This co2 kit is way 2 small if you want to use it in your 1.5footer.

I would personally use it in that 100l tank you bought from me.

For a 5 foot tank you need decent co2 for it so plants can actually benefit from it e.g 5kg co2 bottle with proper regulator and inline co2 reactor.

 

Yeah normal pfs will work. You saw how my plants grew in pfs.

 

I actually have 4 anubias plants but they looking rather hammered as I am not taking good care of them. Will they heal up in the new tank ?

 

Wow is your tank using normal pfs ?

 

Yes normal pfs with Osmocote Plus DIY root tabs, the osmocote might have made the difference.

I got some if you want PM for arrangements wont charge you much

 

Yes they will anubias is one of the hardiest plants, just pull of the worn leaves you will see that you will be able to pull of the whole leave with stem from the rhizome.

 

I know it is a small kit but I do have 2 bottles to interchange. I don't want to go full planted just maybe give the plants abit of a boost when needed. I've seen inline reactors at my lfs. Could I connect this small system to one and to my canister? If I do get into it I will upgrade in the future.

 

Hi Michael

As TBK says, yes we can grow decent tanks in pfs. Here is a link to my tank which I think is ok and there is nothing but PFS (I forgot to add the root tabs :laugh, 4x54w T5's, pressurised co2, full seachem fert range and plants...

http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?13973-300l-of-Responsibility/page89

 

Okay cool then just make sure your co2 supply is permanent otherwise you will get all types of algae. Any co2 is better then none.

Sure you will be able to connect it up through one of your canisters.

 

Great tank @Hawk I'm sure what I have will suffice for my needs then as I'm wanting a lot less than you have there.

 

Forgot to add that if you are going low tech (java ferns, moss, vallis, anubias...) then I think your 2x54w and your small co2 will be fine. Co2 is not neccesary but it's certainly an accelerator.

 

Thanks hawk and barb king. I will get back to you soon about those root tabs as I will set up the tank in about 2 and a half weeks time. What temperature is the best for these plants and would I run the co2 24-7 will make it easy for me so I don't have to turn it off.

 

Okay cool then will chat about the root tabs closer to the time the plants will benefit from it very much as they are mainly root feeders. Best temp is between 24-28.

You could run the co2 24/7 just run a airstone at night from lights of till around 06h00 the next morning.

 

Would also running an air stone 24-7 contradict the co2. How do you oxygenonate your tank.

 

Yes you cannot run the airstone 24/7 as this will contradict the co2, just for your knowledge air pumps don't oxygenate the water.

It is the water movement your filters make that oxygenate the water.

I have lots of water movement in my tank which oxygenates the water.

So in this 5 foot tank of yours I would have a nice power head that makes a nice current I would also then add another smaller one on the other side of the tank which is point to the surface of the water to just make a small ripple in the water just for extra oxygen.