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Hi,

Almost 2 months ago, I started my first planted tank (24"x12"x12"/15g, light: 18w 6500k grolux tube). Here's what it looked like then:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/witje/Fish/2ft_planted.jpg
And here's what it looks like now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/witje/Fish/tank2_2mo.jpg

Pretty sad, huh? I took out the ludwigia repens and 2 bunches of the hygrophila polysperma because they weren't doing well and moved them to my newest tank (and they're doing fine there). The corkscrew vals are still not doing very well (a lot shedding of the leaves) even though I'm using root tabs. I suspect part of the reason might be the 1mm sand-like gravel substrate that I have in there; I don't have it very deep (less than 1" on the left side where the vals are) and they might not be very good for the plant roots. The only plants that are doing ok are the crypts, Anubias, Java Fern, and (surprisingly) the red ludwigia (inclinata?). The hygro has holes on its leaves (not sure if it's the ramshorn snails or something else; I've started dosing with Flourish Potassium) and growing a bit crooked. As far as nutrients, I've been using Flourish once a week, Excel about 2-3 times a week, Flourish Potassium 2-3 days a week in the last 2 weeks, and a couple of root tabs once a week. The nitrate level is around 5-10ppm and I do 25% weekly water change.

So anyways, can you advise how to improve this tank? Specifically, what plants can I use on the left side to replace the vals? And what else should I add to make the tank look less sparse, given the current low lighting? I don't think swords would do well in that kind of lighting and substrate, do you?

Any advice from you plant gurus would be really appreciated! Thanks!!

-P

The only plants that are doing ok are the crypts, Anubias, Java Fern,

These plants are doing well because they are the types of plants that can grow in low lighting. If you want to grow higher light plants, you will need another strip light or more. If you can't afford another light then stick with the plants you just described, but get more of them. Crypt lawns look nice and large java ferns are pretty amazing as well.

Check out [link=tropica's]http://www.tropica.com" style="COLOR: #FFD700[/link] advanced search feature to pick out other low light plants. You seem to be doing just fine as you have no complaints of algae or deficiency in the plants that SHOULD be doing well.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Thank you. I've been thinking about putting Java Fern as background to replace the vals. The only algae I have is some black hair-looking tufts on some of the Anubias' leaves:
BBA.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/witje/Fish/BBA.jpg
Are those BBA?

-P

Where's the macros ?

Dosing a lot of liquids but no macros.Nitrate and phospahte are vital.

Nitrate of 5-10ppm. According to the test kit ? Test kits are pretty bad at low levels , chances are you have less NO3 then you think. 5-10ppm is bit low IMO I'd shoot for 10-20ppm.

I've played around with No3 levels to see the effect of color on red plants (low No3 usually equals more red). You'd be amazed at the difference in plant health between 5ppm and 10ppm. The one that suffered badly - Polysperma ! It fell apart in low No3 came back nicely when No3 increased. Crooked growth too.

Could explain why your Ludwigia is so red.

Don't forget the phosphate. If you're using the Excel I'd give small weekly doses of KNO3 and KH2PO4.


Yep, that looks like BBA on the Anubias.High Co2 (30ppm)is the way to eliminate it. Some people report success with it dosing 3X the normal amount of Excel. Never tried it, may be a link to the high Co2. In the meantime keep it shaded it will help a lot. Anubias in direct light is a definate recipe for BBA.

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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.

Thanks, bensaf! I've only been using K so far.
That's interesting about the nitrate test kit (I use the Aquarium Pharmaceutical one). Maybe I do have lower nitrate that it says (5-10ppm on all 3 of my planted tanks). I don't know where to get solid KNO3 and KH2PO4 here, so I think I'll just get the Flourish liquid equivalents.

I'll try dosing with more Excel to get rid of the BBA. Now that you mentioned it, it might be because I have ceiling light directly above the front part of the tank (where the anubias sit) and the tank only has a glass cover (but the back part is covered by the light housing).

Thanks again! I can't wait to see pics of your non-CO2 tank(s). I'm in desperate need of some inspiration!

-P