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Gravel, it's enough?

9K views 57 replies 11 participants last post by  Cehszar 
#1 ·
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!

 
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#2 ·
Welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum.:wave:

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.
 
#3 ·
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.
 
#4 ·
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.
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.
 
#5 ·
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.
 
#6 ·
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.
That would work. Browse our plant profiles, second tab from the left in the blue bar at the top of the page.
 
#9 ·
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...:-?
 
#15 ·
I wouldn't myself. Laterite is meant as a layer on the bottom of the tank, then the substrate gravel/sand placed on top. I would expect attempts to add laterite without removing the gravel will get it into the water column and make a real mess.

I used laterite in one tank and saw no difference in plant growth. May be as well not to bother.

Byron.
 
#18 ·
Today was shopping day....
 

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#20 ·
well Geomancer, my battle has been with the dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula) and the Yoyo loaches, they tends to be a big diggers and the roots of the hairgrass are too short, this way I've lost 4 packages of Eleocharis and one of Ludwigia arcuata, My Microsword grows, slowly, but it does, actually I've pruned it once. I'm using liquid CO2 daily, and Seachem once or twice per week.
 
#25 ·
Thanks, the petsmart near me does not sell them like that. Hopefully they can reach us all the way up here. I looked at petsmart plants last night. They are in a big shallow aquarium with a betta fish, and tonnes of snails. I did not see which kind of snails. The tank was almost empty of plants.
I would much rather buy my plants like you have in the box/bags. Then I know exactly what I am getting. I will ask them next time I am in. Which will be soon.
 
#26 ·
Stores with plant tanks don't often carry the box/tubed plants. Generally, the potted ones are better as they at least are getting water/light while the boxed/tube ones are just sitting on a self and basically ignored until bought. The tube ones I always had to search through them all to find ones where the plants were still alive.

But yes, they are terrible at labeling their plants and Petco is even worse about that.
 
#30 ·
The "stem plants" like bacope will grow much better if you remove the tie and plant the stems seperately.

with your new fixture, that's a LOT of light... You also have a few difficult plants. Your poor fish are probably being blinded .. (Your fish are "forest fish". In the wild, trees would heavily shade the water.) The t5s alone would be quite (too bright?) bright. If you have any algae problems, the light is to blame.

Keep us updated.
 
#32 ·
The "stem plants" like bacope will grow much better if you remove the tie and plant the stems seperately.

with your new fixture, that's a LOT of light... You also have a few difficult plants. Your poor fish are probably being blinded .. (Your fish are "forest fish". In the wild, trees would heavily shade the water.) The t5s alone would be quite (too bright?) bright. If you have any algae problems, the light is to blame.

Keep us updated.
Actually, I had a algae problem. mainly due to overfeeding and long periods of light, now I'm feeding the fishes once at day, and the lights are not running all the time together, T5 from 11:00 to 19:00; and Floramax from 10:00 to 21:00, both controlled by timers.
 
#31 ·
Your tank is looking very nice. I am just starting to get into my own live plants. I got a big handful of hornwort given to me and I picked up a used 30g and he through in guppy grass. So I have started anyways. And i have a big bad issue with my local petsmart, so I will not be walking in their door every again.
But on a happy note, My local fish club meeting in dec 11 and they always have a auction after the meeting, so I plan on buying all the plants I can.
 
#34 ·
Terrific photos (nice fish too, but the photos...:lol:).
 
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