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I have Never in my years of fishkeeping have had a planted tank. I am thinking of going after it.

I have a spare 5 gallon tank that has good lighting, I think Algea grows really well so =p

I was thinking all EASY plants of course.....need help with that..


BUT the thing I really wanna know is can you increase your stock a bit with a planted tank???

Oh and also do you need Co2?



Thanks
Angel Eel

Last edited by angeleel at 02-Nov-2005 16:26

angeleel,

If you could give use the type of light and wattage that yo
have over the tank. We can then tell you what types of plants
would work in your tank, and wether or not CO2 will be
necesary.

But with heavily planted tanks, yes it is possible to
increase the fishload.

Megil.

Yes, in a heavily planted tank with nutrient-hungry plants like Elodea, Hornwort, Duckweed, etc. you could increase your stock a bit. Before I switched to live plants, the nitrate level in my slightly overstocked tank would reach around 40ppm within a week after each water change. Once I replaced the plastic plants with fast-growing weeds, the nitrate level never goes above 5ppm even without any water change (and same fish stock). I now actually have to add nitrate to the tank to keep the plants alive!

Last edited by upikabu at 02-Nov-2005 23:19

-P

Like I said NEWBIE NEWBIE NEWBIE




I'll read everything off my light to you I think you get the info from there

Globe Daylight 8 watt

hehe that good?

I was accually thinking of neons in the tank with mostly green and red plants if possible, I was thinking that would help pop out there color.

Is neons even possible in a 5 gallon, I don't know much about neons besides my Angel loved them the last time I got some a couple of years back =\

Thanks guys,
Angel EEl

angeleel,

I think the neons would be fine in a 5G, how about 6 of them and little else (maybe a shrimp or 2 or 3).

For plants, you have 8 watts over 5G, that is 1.6wpg (watts per gallon). Not too bad, given that your tank is not very deep. You might have a problem finding red plants that would thrive in this light though.

As for a plant selection, the most important thing here (at least for me) would be that you only have small plants (or small leaved plants). For example, anubias nana are eventually too big, but anubias nana petite are fine. In general, most plants that are labeled foreground would definitely fit in size, light is another question. Why don’t you go to the Tropica website and review some of their plants and find out which ones you like.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 03-Nov-2005 11:56

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Okay for how tall the tank is it is a 5 gallon semi hex that is about a foot tall.

I will go to that site to look as soon as I get the time today.


Thanks
Angel Eel

angel eel,

hmm hexagon tanks have less surface area, so technically they
should not house the same number of fish that a rectangular
5G. also it is much taller than it is wide, so you remove
alot of available swimming place and add it to the height
(while fish may swim vertically they spend most of their time
swimming in a lateral manner)

If you really plant it you may be able to stock it with that
of a regular 5G, but I would not recommend overstocking it.

HTH,
Megil.

I did a little looking and found these.

Java Fern

Java Fern Windelov

Echinodorus parviflorus
Hygrophila Difformis
Ceratophyllum demersum

Would any of these work??

Angel EEl

Ingo suggested foreground and fine leaved plants, one that won't grow too big. The only one in your list that fits is hornwort.

Java Fern & Windelov Ferns - will easily outgow the tank. However, java fern babies when small are nice, and they grow slow.. But when they start outgrowing your tank, you could take the babies off, replant them, and stick the mother plant into another tank. Tie them to rocks or driftwoods, but can put right in the gravel as long as the rhizome is not buried. (contrary to popular opinion, I use these as a LAWN plant in my 10 gal... Right in the gravel, mind you the gravel layer is very thin. And my ferns are very healthy, with no chemical additions to the tank. When I swap to the 15 gal. The regular Java Ferns get sold except for a couple, will be replaced by several windelov babies I've been saving.. Versatile and hardy plants.

Echinodorus parviflorus - a definate no, will outgrow the dimensions of your tank.

If you want some 'E', Echinodorus Tenellus is a nice foreground plant.

Another 'E' but prob not too large for your tank (kinda looks like Vals though as opposed to a sword) are Echinodorus Latifolius. It would make a nice background plant in your 5g hex.

Hygrophila Difformis - will grow too fast and large. You'd have to trim all the time or it'll crowd other plants from the light.

Ceratophyllum demersum - Hornwort - a handy plant and also fine leaved. This could work ! Good for absorbing nitrates too. You can plant it but if you notice it getting needle-like and needles start to fall off, float it, or discard it.



The Amazon Nut...

Lol, I knew I would be off, they look small in the pics =p


I was thinking maybe i'll wait on plants I went to my LFS tonight and the only thing they have is hornwort right now so i'll wait a week write down all they have and tell you guys.

Now new question Florite.......What do I do with it

I found a 7.5 kg bag is that sufficent for my tank or to much?? It is a 29.99$ bag. I know I want about 3 to 3.5 inchs of gravel.

Please explain like I'm a baby, lol I know nothing.... heheh


Thanks SOOOO much
Angel Eel

Time to test out a less bright text color for me lol.

Yup, plant profiles can be deceiving.
Read them well and search more then one site when researching a plant. You'll learn alot about what they need etc... It's a smart idea to wait a week, more time to choose your plants and get an idea of the layout. Also posting a classified ad in here could get you some plants you wouldn't find at your LFS.

"Florite.......What do I do with it" - SWEET, welcome to the flourite club... You take that bag, pour it into a large bucket, soak it first, then rinse rinse rinse... I stir it by hand, but can be some sharp tiny bits. Careful..

You can use it 3 ways.
1. 3 inches of flourite, straight line & even.
2. Sloped - one inch in front, up to 4 at the back.
3. Random - shape it the way YOU want, can make it look like a streambed, or curvy with dunes whatever fancies you...

2 or 3 will look the best.

When I first did the 40, I had it sloped perfect. Gave a nice feeling of depth.. After repairing the tank leak, I rushed and didn't slope it. I shoulda sloped it, makes a noticable difference.

I was trying to remember something for you earlier, another plant with fine leaves and quite nice.. Check out some Rotala species.
Cheerz !
DaFish

The Amazon Nut...

Oh so I don't need to mix this with regular gravel???


hahaha I never realized Florite had that......hmm NASTY smell in the bag

I know my LFS normally has rotala speices, So I will try and tell you what ones =p


Another Q real quick, Can I have an airstone? I read that surface agitation is a downer with a planted tank. I love my airstones =p

DaFishMan, Sorry I have not got back on your PM, we are doing alot of renovations in our house and tanks =p I will get back to you when I have a little more time.


Thanks,
Angel EEl

"Oh so I don't need to mix this with regular gravel???"
No, flourite is meant to be a complete substrate. You could mix it, but WHY ?

"I know my LFS normally has rotala speices, So I will try and tell you what ones =p" - why not write them down, then google it for the specs ? What I meant by research

"Can I have an airstone?" - The more water agitation, the more co2 will escape the water. However of note: it has been done with no ill effects.

PM not necessary, was advice, and a thank you
Do want to know what fish you have though.
You can post your fish list here, I will check in.
Regards,
DaFish


The Amazon Nut...

Well lets see

I have, Two oscars
Mating convicts
Mating Endlers
Mating Corydoras (1st batch is a dud)
Mating Endlers (In need of new stock females, hard wrok finding some)
2 Show guppys
a few ottos
Snails
Cherry barbs
Couple of betta fish
African butterflyfish
Rapheal Catfish
ummmmm
Its sometimes hard thinking of all the fish

OH! two common plecs (Leaving soon)
Angelfish
One crayfish
and I belive thats it for the ones that have a permanent home.

I JUST noticed you lived in Canada, Where are you? I'm in Alberta.

Okay I'm going to see the plants as soon as they come in I will for sure write it all down and reseach them.

Thanks alot for all your help,
Angel Eel

That's ALOT of fish !

"I JUST noticed you lived in Canada, Where are you? I'm in Alberta."

I'm in Ontario. I want to get into mailing/shipping plants within Canada soon too but right now too much going on and waiting for my tanks plants to grow in... Maybe by spring ? I hooked up the CO2 and did not use baking soda in the mix, and activated the yeast as per Trystianity. Within 2 days, the cardinal flower perked RIGHT up and so did some crypts, funny, crypts aren't supposed to like co2 but perhaps this was the missing 'nutrient' I needed.

A moss order of mine is in BC at Canada Customs, could you take a drive over and swipe it for me ? Then repackage and mail ?

The Amazon Nut...