going fully planted

Heartl

I have a 125 gal long (72x18x24) with 4 40 Wat bulbs. I have a few real plants in it now along with my 2 angels 2 blue rams and 10 rosy reds. Fillteration is from a regent 40-60 and two large sponge filters.
The tank is doing great but I am looking at making a very large order of plants to change the whole tank over to real plants..
Is this going to be a big problem. As long as I keep an eye on things, should that be fine??

Heartl

catfishtabbi

Nice tank already, plants are a great idea i luv em'.There are plants that remove nitrates, reduce algea and oxygenate the water. Plant cos' will assist you with designing; which i would do, if i had a huge tank like yours',Do mention the sponge filters, i believe the o2 they add depletes the co2 plants need, i wouldn't get a co2 regulator rho. Good idea, good luck.

Heartl

the sponges are ran off of power heads, not bubbers. But thanks

Unrulyevil

Cut down on oxygen during a day and turn on the pump only during night. put in more plants and DOA Co2

add fertilizers, and ... it looks a bit dark... more light maybe?

I love this huge tank.

willow

very nice tank,what do you have in there ?
:)

Heartl

Right now I have 4 48" 40w bulbs lightin the thing up. I might be able to add a couple of 24" bulbs, or spots??
In it I have 2 angel fish and 10 rosy reds that are feeders for my sons piranha, a high fin spotted pleco and a pair of blue rams. I want to stay with less fish more plants. I may end up adding a pair or trio more of angels. Somewhere down the road a pair of Discus.

Amphitrite

What a beautiful tank you have there, it's really lovely! What sort of substrate is that? It's hard to tell from the picture but looks like either black gravel or eco complete?

Heartl

It is a dark green. I have been toying with going to sand before I get too far into this.. I think it would look a lot better and I think it would be better for the fish and plants too... What do you think?? Is it worth the time to change it all over if I am going full panted??

Amphitrite

I llike to keep my tanks heavily planted, but I changed from sand to eco-complete about a year ago and it was a great move. Almost instantly there was a marked improvement in the plant health. Eco complete will cost you a lot more, but in my opinion is well worth it. I also think it's more natural looking with plants, and that along with a dark background really shows of the colour in the fish.