Questions

WRXminion

Hello, I'm new to this forum.


I have a 75g tank, flluval canister filter, a double tube coralight, two
heaters in each corner to help even the temp, gravel and fertilizer.

I have a few questions, I'm wanting to make my tank more of a plant tank.

1) Should i get more light or add Co2? (i know both would be best, but i can
only afford one at the moment)

2) what temp should my tank be?

3) anything else I should know about plants? Like should i get some liquid
fertilizer, or bio for my canister?

3) my Oscar has hole in the head, what drug should i use to help him? I have
done a lot of water changes and used a general antibiotic that the store
recommended. The hole in the head has stopped growing but he still has open
wounds.


Thanks for the help!

ahill3780

Welcome to FishTankForums!

WRX - I want one. My buddies SRT-4 is sweet, but theres just something better in the WRX.

I'll let Jay handle your concerns here as he knows more of planted tanks than I do.

Good to have you on board!

Aaron

Jay

Hi and Welcome WRXminion

YEAAH and I want to help you get there and not fall into the hands of the saltwater group.

BUT..

That is really kind of an open end question, books have been written answering that.

Let's get focused on what you have and whats going on in the tank and then see what the options are, OK?

How much light do you have in watts?

What are your current tank parameters...pH, KH, GH, Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, Phosphate etc?


Gravel? I know what I mean when I say gravel, what do you mean?

Fertilizer? What are you doing, adding?

The sick fish is issue number two. Sounds like you are treating and there is some remission. Let's see what happens.

I would rethink a potential 5 pound Oscar in a planted tank, but we are a ways from worrying about that just now.

Regards,
Jay

WRXminion

I think I have 130w in the coralife,
The other light is just a cheap 24" light, so maybe 30w?? I have no idea.


I have smaller then pea size gravel (rocks) with a fertilizer (it looks like the same stuff you put in poted plants, but it's made for fish tanks) under the gravel. Like this, ADA All Rights reserved. Vendita Prodotti per Acquari d'acqua dolce - Takashi Amano NATURAQUARIUM, but a diffrent brand.


I'm not sure what the chem make up of the water is... I havent bought any testers, and i guess i should take it into the fish store and find out. What should I ask them?

I keep the water temp around 82F, is that to hot?

yea i don't plan on keeping the fish in the tank for there full life. i'll donate them to my friend at the fish store when they get to big.

mmh123

82F is a touch too hot just turn it down a few degrees to maybe about 77F which is ideal

ahill3780

That's one! I'm watching you buddy, you better stay away from my newbies! Go Reef!

Seriously, its great to see another planted tank around here. We don't have enough questions floating around about planted tanks, and without questions there are no answers. Except the ones tucked away in Jays head. :-)

I want to learn more about them myself and start my own so you guys need to step up the info exchange here so I'll be ready when the time comes!

thewebpop

Hey, send me a check (blank with signature) and I will by a 55gal and let you talk me through a "Heavy Planted Tank" Set Up!

Any Takers? or should I say Givers out there?
Later, Pop's

Hepcat021

I'm with you webpop! At least you have some live plants, all I have are plastic ones.

BILL

thewebpop

Bill,
Well your plastic plants have fish... My Live plants have water! I had to ship all my fish to a buddies tank while my tank continues its cycle.

Yes I was one of those people who jumped right in with a new tank and fish before learning what I was suppose to do. Guess that is why I keep posting to any new people to please read all the "stickies" and listen to the good people around here before jumping in. Guess if we had to live in the mess we create in our tanks we would do alittle better.

I am really starting to enjoy learning this stuff with my 20 gal. Once I can keep it under control for about 6 months I am really interested in creating a 50gal display with natural rocks, driftwood and good substrate and live plants.

I will have to study up first but I really like the idea of stocking with multiple Clown Loach, Kuhli Loach's and Wild Endler-LiveBearer's. Gotta have a Fidler Crab and Blue Lobster (Crayfish) too!

Jay's gonna have to fly to Olive Branch Ms. and set up my substrate ,C02 injection and live Plantings. Aaron and his brother can drive on over and get me started on the Driftwood and Guppie (Endler) breeding since he's a new Grand-FRY-Paw.

Everyone fill free to jump in with your thoughts, Idea's and or suggestions. $$$$$ is welcome too ha!
Later, Pop's

Jay

For real here...

I just "pruned" my plants and threw away a ton of clippings because I have nowhere to go with them within 30 miles.

I would be glad to send them to a new home. I'll give you the plants you pay overnight charges.

Next prune I have to divide some of my Aponogeton and Cryptocornes, nice plants.

PM me if you are interested.
And building up a group of trusted traders is much less expensive.

Hey Pops, Bill

Remember you do not have to go High Tech (expensive equipment) to have a really beautiful planted tank. CO2 is just a fertilizing option!

I don't want to get away from WRXminion and loose the thread.

The light you have is about 2 watts per gallon, and that is minimum for a low light tank. You should be able to grow variety of plants with 2 watts.

The ADA power sand is an OK substrate, I use Fluorite. I do not depend on the substrate to provide essential nutrients and minerals but in a low light tank it will get you by. Your project is to be able to test your water yourself and be able to determine all of the basic parameters + PO4.

Regards,
Jay