Gravel, it's enough?

Cehszar

Hello
I have a 55 gal tank which is on the third week assembled, I made the common mistake, "no cycle period", despite this my fishes are alive, now I'm wondering if could I put in there some live plants? or it would be another mistake?; if Yes, it's enough having gravel?, I've heard (read) that to put some laterite under the gravel can help.

Thanks!

Byron

Welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum.

Live plants have many benefits, so no issue there. And most will grow fine in gravel like you have. Laterite is not much of a benefit, I have tried it once with no improvement, so don't bother.

You will need decent light, and probably some fertilizatino in liquid form of a complete nutrient supplement. I can expand on both points if asked.

One thought though, on the substrate. No mention is made of intended fish, but some substrate fish may have issues with the gravel. Now would be the time to change. And adding the plants would not result in any cycling issues if you do.

Byron.

Cehszar

Many thanks Byron!
Well, I have two 18" 15 watts Aqueon T8 full spectrum daylight, I guess they are ok for the plants. My doubt was about the size of the gravel I have; I think I read in one of your post, it must be 1-2 milimeters, and mine are bigger than that.

Byron

Light is fine. A smaller gravel is better for plants, and otherwise too when it comes to that, but some plants can manage no matter what.

Cehszar

Then... is it time to choose some plants?

Well, I like the Anubius plant, They say (petsmart page) the Anubius can attach itself to the rocks, driftwood and substrate, another one is the Anacharis Plant; both of them for the background.

Byron

That would work. Browse our plant profiles, second tab from the left in the blue bar at the top of the page.

redchigh

also, your Dwarf Gourami would look a lot more colorful if you took the opportunity to switch out the gravel for something darker... (Or just added black gravel on top of the blue)

Pearl2011

Duckweed or amazon frog bit would be a good floating plant. Ammonia sink, i left my 1 gallon without a water change and I had no ammonia.

Cehszar

well, what it was a simple "just two or three", now it's two water onion plants, two Ludwigia arcuata; which mostly has been eaten; two Bacopa caroliniana, one Anubia bartieri (nana), Lilaeopsis brasilensis, Eleocharis parvula; and about six bulbs; I hope to see to sprout the half of them at least.

Anubia bartieri (nana)



Water Onion




Bacopa carolinensis




Lialeopsis brasilensis and Eleocharis parvula






Ludwigia arcuata






the view




I know, the background must go...

Hanky

cool looking tank so far, love that piece of driftwood ya got.