drawnon
12-23-2007, 05:13 PM
So I posted a question about a planted 10 gallon betta tank a couple weeks ago.
Well, I went out and did it. I replaced my incandescent bulbs with mini fluorescents, and I now have 2 watts per gallon. I also bought some Seachem flourish, at the lfs’ recommendation. (what’s the deal with keeping it refrigerated?)
I bought what was labeled as moderate to low light plants. Amazon sword, cork screw plants, and a couple others I cant remember the names. I also stole some java fern from my 29 gallon. ( I cant believe that java fern is still alive in my 29 gallon. When I first got into aquariums 3 years ago I tried some live plants with no success. They all died except this plant. I now know I had very little light. 0.58 watts per gallon. But this thing quadrupled in size with absolutely no help from me. I never give it any fertilizer or plant food. But I also never vacuum around it either. should i use some of this seachem flourish on it?)
From what I understand plants use some waste left by fish?
So that’s why people don’t gravel vac heavily planted tanks?
I’m going to attach a pic so you experts can see what I’m talking about.
I would definitely NOT call mine heavily planted. Maybe lightly planted?
My betta can’t be making that much waste. I’ve never even seen him poop.
Unlike my mollies, who are poop machines.
So should I just be vacuuming around the plants?
Should I not vacuum at all?
Now when should I fertilize?
I know it should be once a week. Is that correct?
I do my tank maintenance every Sunday. Water changes and such.
Should I use the Seachem flourish after the water change?
Does the carbon in my filters remove the plant food like it does medication?
Should I shut off the filter when I feed the plants?
Now what about co2?
I don’t want to mess around with some mad scientist set up.
Is there just some dissolve tabs I could get, or don’t I need it?
I don’t mind slow growth. But will my plants still be healthy with out it?
Thanks in advance for any info, tips and techniques.
James
Ps. I notice my betta attacks some of the plants. I would think he’s finding tiny snails or snail eggs?
That was my punishment regarding my 29 gallon, for jumping into something I had no knowledge about.
I got hit hard with snails. I spent months picking out snails. I also think my 3 kuhli loaches have helped out a lot. Now I only find the occasional huge pest snail maybe once or twice a week.
Thanks again.
Merry x-mass everyone.
Well, I went out and did it. I replaced my incandescent bulbs with mini fluorescents, and I now have 2 watts per gallon. I also bought some Seachem flourish, at the lfs’ recommendation. (what’s the deal with keeping it refrigerated?)
I bought what was labeled as moderate to low light plants. Amazon sword, cork screw plants, and a couple others I cant remember the names. I also stole some java fern from my 29 gallon. ( I cant believe that java fern is still alive in my 29 gallon. When I first got into aquariums 3 years ago I tried some live plants with no success. They all died except this plant. I now know I had very little light. 0.58 watts per gallon. But this thing quadrupled in size with absolutely no help from me. I never give it any fertilizer or plant food. But I also never vacuum around it either. should i use some of this seachem flourish on it?)
From what I understand plants use some waste left by fish?
So that’s why people don’t gravel vac heavily planted tanks?
I’m going to attach a pic so you experts can see what I’m talking about.
I would definitely NOT call mine heavily planted. Maybe lightly planted?
My betta can’t be making that much waste. I’ve never even seen him poop.
Unlike my mollies, who are poop machines.
So should I just be vacuuming around the plants?
Should I not vacuum at all?
Now when should I fertilize?
I know it should be once a week. Is that correct?
I do my tank maintenance every Sunday. Water changes and such.
Should I use the Seachem flourish after the water change?
Does the carbon in my filters remove the plant food like it does medication?
Should I shut off the filter when I feed the plants?
Now what about co2?
I don’t want to mess around with some mad scientist set up.
Is there just some dissolve tabs I could get, or don’t I need it?
I don’t mind slow growth. But will my plants still be healthy with out it?
Thanks in advance for any info, tips and techniques.
James
Ps. I notice my betta attacks some of the plants. I would think he’s finding tiny snails or snail eggs?
That was my punishment regarding my 29 gallon, for jumping into something I had no knowledge about.
I got hit hard with snails. I spent months picking out snails. I also think my 3 kuhli loaches have helped out a lot. Now I only find the occasional huge pest snail maybe once or twice a week.
Thanks again.
Merry x-mass everyone.