Post by mralgae on Oct 5, 2006 0:19:20 GMT
TIPS FOR STARTING A PLANTED TANK:
Co2 injection does more than just help your plants grow better, it adds for better water quality and also offers a way to gradually reduce the pH in the tank. Which can aid in some cases a better quality of fish as well as plant life?
The simplest co2 system is the natural fermentation process to supply carbon dioxide to the water and more cost effective for the smaller tank set ups. The lager the tank the more c02 needed and would suggest the system of bottled co2, valves and gauges.
Forethought is the key to a well planted and designed planted aquarium, which should be viewed as an enjoyable not a chore aspect of your planted tank.
In order to gain an aspect of this beautiful hobby, there is an abundance of books and reading material on the market to help you through every step of the way to setting up and maintaining you planted aquarium.
The first step in setting up your tank is to choosing the substrate to cover the bottom of the tank and help keep the plants from floating around.
Gravel aprox 2 to 5 cm will be sufficient and should be sloped from the front up to the rear, the rear being deeper than the front. This will give a vision of depth to the finished display of your tank. There is an array of types of gravel on the market and is more often chosen for personal choice than for suitability. I.e. the darker the gravel the better to bring out the color of some of your fish, the likes of neon tetras & cardinals will be more prominent in front of dark backgrounds but will be lost if you have white or bright colored gravel. When purchasing gravel make sure it is inert, as some gravel can alter your water quality in different ways. Always read any information on the package and don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy. It is also wise to consider using a laterlite at this stage as trying to put this in after the tank is set up is only asking for trouble and headaches.
Once you have your gravel in the tank its time to start your aquascaping of the tank
Place rocks and any wood in a way so as to give an overall visual balance to the tank. Try to place rock and wood in such a way to add depth. I.E. rock sloping from the rear to the front will give a cascading affect. Then place your plants in the tank, again following the above rule. Rocks and wood can be used to highlight some of your favorite plants, the larger of these being placed at the rear or to the side of the tank. Rocks can be used to make walls or dividers and raised areas for planting in the way you would do in a house garden.
Bogwood is excellent for dividing the taller plants at the rear from the smaller plants at the front, and is ideal for attaching the plants Anubias or moss type plants that need tying down. Some stunning effects can be achieved using these methods.
If you are not sure about planting at the start, there are now a number of plants that can be bought already attached to bogwood in various forms.
As I stated in one of my other articles HERE do not rush setting up your planted tank.
I hope you have as much fun and enjoyment from your planted tank as I do.
Co2 injection does more than just help your plants grow better, it adds for better water quality and also offers a way to gradually reduce the pH in the tank. Which can aid in some cases a better quality of fish as well as plant life?
The simplest co2 system is the natural fermentation process to supply carbon dioxide to the water and more cost effective for the smaller tank set ups. The lager the tank the more c02 needed and would suggest the system of bottled co2, valves and gauges.
Forethought is the key to a well planted and designed planted aquarium, which should be viewed as an enjoyable not a chore aspect of your planted tank.
In order to gain an aspect of this beautiful hobby, there is an abundance of books and reading material on the market to help you through every step of the way to setting up and maintaining you planted aquarium.
The first step in setting up your tank is to choosing the substrate to cover the bottom of the tank and help keep the plants from floating around.
Gravel aprox 2 to 5 cm will be sufficient and should be sloped from the front up to the rear, the rear being deeper than the front. This will give a vision of depth to the finished display of your tank. There is an array of types of gravel on the market and is more often chosen for personal choice than for suitability. I.e. the darker the gravel the better to bring out the color of some of your fish, the likes of neon tetras & cardinals will be more prominent in front of dark backgrounds but will be lost if you have white or bright colored gravel. When purchasing gravel make sure it is inert, as some gravel can alter your water quality in different ways. Always read any information on the package and don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy. It is also wise to consider using a laterlite at this stage as trying to put this in after the tank is set up is only asking for trouble and headaches.
Once you have your gravel in the tank its time to start your aquascaping of the tank
Place rocks and any wood in a way so as to give an overall visual balance to the tank. Try to place rock and wood in such a way to add depth. I.E. rock sloping from the rear to the front will give a cascading affect. Then place your plants in the tank, again following the above rule. Rocks and wood can be used to highlight some of your favorite plants, the larger of these being placed at the rear or to the side of the tank. Rocks can be used to make walls or dividers and raised areas for planting in the way you would do in a house garden.
Bogwood is excellent for dividing the taller plants at the rear from the smaller plants at the front, and is ideal for attaching the plants Anubias or moss type plants that need tying down. Some stunning effects can be achieved using these methods.
If you are not sure about planting at the start, there are now a number of plants that can be bought already attached to bogwood in various forms.
As I stated in one of my other articles HERE do not rush setting up your planted tank.
I hope you have as much fun and enjoyment from your planted tank as I do.
...brilliant
