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OK, so I have Flourite, which I am covering w/ some gravel. I have some Flourish as well. I am picking up my plants today....Java Ferns, Java Moss, Pennywort, some Aponogeton bulbs, and maybe some others.
I ordered a 65 watt light for this tank. which will be in next week. I'm using the lights from my 55 until then (I got it a better light).

Due to potential health issues w/ my 55g fish, I won't be able to use anything from that tank.

I need to find a source of nitrate for this tank, correct? If so, what can I do for that (in my 20 gallon tank)?

Christina

[span class="edited"][Edited by crickit99 2004-08-13 15:50][/span]

Are you just setting the tank up or just planting it? I wouldn't use anything to start off with, as new plants are sometimes hesitant to absorb ferts right away. With 65W over a 20 gallon, that means algae can get a foothold before the plants kick in and start using the nutrients. I'd let the fish provide the nitrates to start out with.

yep dont add ferts in just yet wait till they get settled. i doubt youll need to add nitrates right away. adding nitrate is only really neccesary in a high PH tank. so check your PH. if you PH is neutral or higher then youll need nitrates later on, wait to see what your bioload does before adding nitrates. if you have a low PH you plants will use ammonium rather then nitrates. so nitrate adding isnt too much of a problem. but dont add ferts early on youll just be feeding algae

if i understand correctly, you want to start the tank. if so, try fishless cycle. the amonia will do good to the plants, and will become nitrate in a much shorter time.

Yes, it is a new tank w/o fish yet. I have the flourite and gravel in the tank, and I went ahead and placed the plants in there. Right now, it is only 4 Java Ferns and 2 Apontogen (?) bulbs that have a small amount of growth. She wasn't able to get the other stuff I'd ordered. I have the Java Moss in another container, to get some of the debris off.
Right now I don't have much light on the tank, as I don't get the 65 watt until Thursday. I may try the fishless cycle.
I will hold off on the fertilizer, thanks for the advice!

I am going to get some slate to make some caves for the tank.... what can I sue to tie the Java Moss to rocks and driftwood? Or will it do OK in the gravel?

Christina

You could use fishing line to tie it to the slate!
Fishing line is durable, strong, and invisible!


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