Planted tank advice

Good day All

I have started a dirted substrate tank. So basically about 1.5cm of potting soil then topped off with about 5cm of black sand and then i added a ton of plants (anubias, Java Ferns, valas, swords and other).
About 50 plants in the tank

Some of the plant leaves started melting away. My concern is as i always loose plants must i add things or can i just leave it and it will grow new leaves.

I've gotten advise that due to the substrate setup i do not need any C02 or fertilizers as the tank has a arobic and anarobic part and that acts as C02 and fertilizer. Does heat play a part as tank runs at 26'C

 

I’m sure others will be able to give more advice but quickly:
1. Aerobic and anaerobic refers to bacteria that form part of the nitrogen cycle. They do not replace nutrients needed by plants, and do not supply co2 in any meaningful way. So question the source of your advice. 2hr Aquarist is a good source of knowledge for planted tanks.
2. Some melt is always normal in the beginning as the plant acclimates but you’ll only know after a week or two whether it’s acclimating or dying.
3. Heat does play a role but 26 should not be an issue. 24 is better should your livestock tolerate it.


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Yes thats the thing

LFS give different advice all around regarding my way of going for a "dirted tank" and plants etc. So in between minds of going the true father fish way or possibly getting a C02 and begin a whole new setup

Imo... I will leave things as it is and let it run its course and see what is going to happen in a months time. If the plants die they die and i would have learned that i am not a plant guy. But if it works it something i got right without C02.

 

Hi there I've been doing planted and aquascape for a while been through the whole ADA only setups and competed in the Anual IAPL Contests that cost a fortune only to go back to a good quality substrate (I have tons of it) pump co2 and liquid fertilizer SCAPE COMPLETE and that's it if you have inverts and fish also pump loads of airation

 

Thanks for the advise

 

I second this! As a newbie to the plant hobby myself I can share one very important lesson.. don't overthink, just do and research along the way. Invest in good quality products once off and reap the benefits all the way