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Could someone give me a weekly or bi-weekly schedule on how to maintain a planted tank?

I'm still trying to find a balance for my planted tank where I can just dose fertilizers, change CO2, etc. and get good plant growth without a lot of algae. Also, I algae wipe the glass every week or so.

Sorry with the C02, I don't use it so I can't suggest anything there.

With my set up my weekly schedule is: wipe the front & sides of the tank, 30% - 50% water change & prune anything thats looking lanky, otherwise I don't do anything else and I do do a fairly heavy prune about once a month.

I've got my tank set up so that I don't have to do very much at all except the water changes and check that the fish are fed enough for themselves each and a little extra for the plants. But I'm working with a soil substrate so I don't fertilise at all other than occasionally adding a little Flourish Excel as I have a fair amount of surface agitation.

In wildness, nature is not human-hearted!

It's hard to pin down an exact schedule. Depending on rate of plant growth, which is linked to type of plants, amount of lighting, amount of co2, some people do not add ferts at all and some have to add some every other day. Some could have to trim plants once a month and others have to twice a week.

The amount of fish makes a difference as well, as well as the type of fish. If the fish have a small bioload, you might find yourself dosing more nitrates than someone with a heavier bioload.

You just have to see what works for your tank, because no two planted tanks are the same. Document what you do, and if it works just keep following that schedule of ferts, co2, pruning, etc.

Hi,
If you are married, and have children, you could think
of each tank as being like a child. Each is unique,
and has different requirements, yet all are the same.
They all require regular maintence. With aquariums,
the "trick" is to know the tanks needs, and blend it
comfortably into your schedule. Elsewise, it becomes
a chore, and something that gets put off until it
becomes more convenient, and eventually, that well
tended tank, becomes a problem.

Since you mention CO2, I suspect that you are using
one of the many DIY CO2 systems rather than bottled
gas. WIth the DIY system you have to look at the
output every other day, sometimes every day, and
when the output tapers off, the pH will rise, and
you need to get a new bottle online to bring the
pH back down to whatever your goal is.

The tank should be topped off (depending upon where
you live, and humidity conditions within the home)
as often as daily (say just before feeding the fish).

Regular water changes (depends upon the quantity,
and size of the fish, and the size of the tank)
of 10 to 20% of the tank should be done either
weekly, biweekly, or once a month. If you have
lots of fish, in a small tank, or several large
fish in a small tank (in other words, if it is
crowded or loaded above normal) you should do it
weekly.

Perhaps, every other week, you could trim any dead
or dying leaves, and while changing the water, run
the end of the python or hose (whatever you use to
syphon the water off) over the plants and gravel to
pick up any loose fish waste, or other detritus
on the surfaces.

The addition of ferts should depend upon the plants.
Like children, they will tell you when they are
"hungery" by discoloration, developing spots, wilting,
etc. If you add ferts, and it is not needed, then
algae will thrive to "eat" the unused ferts.

In short, develop a system for maintenance that you
can live with, and then stick with it.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

adding a little Flourish Excel as I have a fair amount of surface agitation

Do you have to have lots of surface agitation to use Fluorish products?

I've set up a cycle of changing my home-brew C02 bottles every week, it may be overkill but it takes 10 seconds.

Agree with the others every tank is an entity unto itself.

One thing I do suggest though is that it is easier to a little something everyday, rather then a weekly workover.

I used to try to do all maintenance, trimming etc at water change time but this was a 3 to 4 hour job every week. Personally I find it easier to find a spare 30mins every day or so then trying to find one 4 hour period. So I just do a bit of tidying and trimming, cleaning u dead leaves etc each evening. Sometimes it's only 5 minutes, sometimes 30, then just the weekly water change at the weekend. I find this makes it all less cumbersome and the tank stays tidy looking 90% of the time.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Surface agitation and liquid ferts have no relation..

The idea is with co2 you want little surface agitation..
Since there was too much water disturbance for CO2 to do any good, liquid fert was used instead

The Amazon Nut...

Since there was too much water disturbance for CO2 to do any good, liquid fert was used instead

Oh, I get it now.