Post by mralgae on Sept 16, 2006 19:17:03 GMT
•Over filtration can lead to nutrients being oxidized out of the water and c02 being eliminated by to much water movement (turbulence). Only use enough filtration to look after the fish. The ones that come with most tanks now days are sufficient if you observe the rules of frequent partial water changes and regular media changes/cleaning.
•Do not use carbon filters! It strips vital nutrients from the water that plants need to thrive. Use only after medication to remove it from the water. But I do know some keepers who DO use carbon and do not have any problems.
•Heaters in the bottom of the tank are a good idea, although I personally don’t, as most tanks have a cool spot when it comes to the rooting of the plants. Their gentle release of heat at the roots, make currents of movement of the nutrients through the sand and help it from becoming anaerobic. The benefits to the plants are that the whole substrate acts like a slow propagator.
•C02 is essential in a planted aquarium if you are serious about keeping plants. It will also help greatly to reduce algae problems. There are many and various forms of c02 on the market.
•Lighting is also a crucial part of a planted aquarium. There are many different types of lighting on the market to day and can be very confusing. It is well worth reading up on this before you spend your money. The wrong lighting can cause many different problems if you don’t get it right. E.g. marine blue lights will do nothing for the plants except make them look different. Insufficient light can make the plant give raised runners giving an over grown look. To prevent this use as many lights in the tank that you can install, as light needs to penetrate right down to the bottom of the tank to keep the ground cover plants trailing low. Also by having lights right across the tank will stop the plants from having to bend and stretch for the light they need, and stop them from overlapping lower laying plants.
•Do not use air stones. As they oxidize out any nutrients in the water and WASTE c02. Although again I have and know people who do use them with no problems.
•Planting can be easily made a mess of if you don’t get it right. Plants look better in groups of their own species, so buy more of one type rather than lots of singles. Remember you have three areas to consider for planting. Foreground. Middle -ground. Back-ground. Some pots contain enough cuttings to spread out in a few places in the tank. Don’t worry if they look to spread out when they are planted. The will fill in the gaps as they grow. Remember good specimens cost a bit more but are well worth it in the long run.
•Check and make sure that the plants you want or are buying are compatible with your tanks water stats. Plants as with fish have a certain pH range that they will do well in. although as with fish it is more important to maintain the stats you have in your tank.
•Lastly: Read Read and Read lots more before rushing out and buying what is not suitable for your tank and end up frustrated and don’t want to continue.
•Do not use carbon filters! It strips vital nutrients from the water that plants need to thrive. Use only after medication to remove it from the water. But I do know some keepers who DO use carbon and do not have any problems.
•Heaters in the bottom of the tank are a good idea, although I personally don’t, as most tanks have a cool spot when it comes to the rooting of the plants. Their gentle release of heat at the roots, make currents of movement of the nutrients through the sand and help it from becoming anaerobic. The benefits to the plants are that the whole substrate acts like a slow propagator.
•C02 is essential in a planted aquarium if you are serious about keeping plants. It will also help greatly to reduce algae problems. There are many and various forms of c02 on the market.
•Lighting is also a crucial part of a planted aquarium. There are many different types of lighting on the market to day and can be very confusing. It is well worth reading up on this before you spend your money. The wrong lighting can cause many different problems if you don’t get it right. E.g. marine blue lights will do nothing for the plants except make them look different. Insufficient light can make the plant give raised runners giving an over grown look. To prevent this use as many lights in the tank that you can install, as light needs to penetrate right down to the bottom of the tank to keep the ground cover plants trailing low. Also by having lights right across the tank will stop the plants from having to bend and stretch for the light they need, and stop them from overlapping lower laying plants.
•Do not use air stones. As they oxidize out any nutrients in the water and WASTE c02. Although again I have and know people who do use them with no problems.
•Planting can be easily made a mess of if you don’t get it right. Plants look better in groups of their own species, so buy more of one type rather than lots of singles. Remember you have three areas to consider for planting. Foreground. Middle -ground. Back-ground. Some pots contain enough cuttings to spread out in a few places in the tank. Don’t worry if they look to spread out when they are planted. The will fill in the gaps as they grow. Remember good specimens cost a bit more but are well worth it in the long run.
•Check and make sure that the plants you want or are buying are compatible with your tanks water stats. Plants as with fish have a certain pH range that they will do well in. although as with fish it is more important to maintain the stats you have in your tank.
•Lastly: Read Read and Read lots more before rushing out and buying what is not suitable for your tank and end up frustrated and don’t want to continue.
