My first planted tank

hywaydave

This is my first planted tank. I currently have 3 amazon swords and 2 anbia coffefolia plants. I would like to have a couple more background plants that will grow tall and rather quickly to add some coverage and hiding places for mid swimmers. Should I get a couple Anacharis? Any other suggestions?

One last thing, I've read different opinions on whether to use carbon in your filters when aquatic plants because it can remove nutrients from the water that plants need. Right now I have 3 trays filled with carbon in my fluval 305 canister. My LFS also suggested that I use flourish excel every other day but I have read mixed reviews on this too. I have not used it yet and my tank has only been running for a week.

This is a 45 gallon tank.

Calmwaters

You should definatly remove the carbon and instead of the excel most of us here use the Seachem Flourish 1-2 times a week for liquid fert and the Seachem root tabs to go down in the gravel near the plant that need it like your sword plants. They get most of their nutrients from the roots and not the water. With the liquid ferts you want to wait at least 24 hours after a water change to add it. What kind of light do you have?

hywaydave

I have two 36 inch t5 HO bulbs. One is a 39 watt 6700k daylight bulb, the other is a 21 watt color max. Should I use anything in place of the carbon? I'm going to have 3 spare trays in my canister if I remove them.

Calmwaters

I think your bulbs may be a bit more than you need if you begin to get alot of algae I would replace them with two T8 6500 daylight bulbs. You could replace them carbon with any other kind of filter media as long as it does not remove ammonia as thats what the plants absorb, maybe a polishing pad or what ever will work in what ever brand your filter is.

hywaydave

I ordered a nutrafin co2 plant system from amazon that should be here in a couple days. Do those things actually work?

hywaydave

I purchased one bunch of moneywort yesterday and buried each stem about an inch apart behind the driftwood. I want something that will grow tall. I noticed tiny clear grey things kind of floating off plant stems and leaves on all my plants, they are even on the tank glass, the platies seem to be nibbling on them. Any idea on what that could be. Were probably talking about hundreds or thousands, they're not moving. Seem to be stuck on the surfaces but "float" with the water current.

hywaydave

Here is an updated picture of my tank. I've added moneywort and a banana plant. All three Amazon swords have sprouted a long center stem. From what I read they're about to grow little plantlets that I can eventually pick off and plant. All of the plants seem to be doing well. The tank is only 4 weeks old, but today's water readings were 0ppm for Amonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates. Been doing many water changes to keep the fish healthy. I picked up 4 otto catfish today to clean up the algae that has been growing. Once they clean that up I'll be feeding them zuchini.

Any suggestions on some other plants to put in here? I'd like to have some more foreground plants, maybe something in front of the driftwood.

Calmwaters

It looks good so far you could use microsword for a foreground plant or dwarf baby tears, or a mat of Java Moss. Or you could put the Java Moss on the driftwood to.

Quantum

Looking good.

It looks like you have the Anubias planted in the substrate. These should be attached to the driftwood or even the stones. If the rhizome is planted, the plant's growth will be stunted and they may eventually die.

As far as foreground plants, Dwarf Sagittaria or Pygmy chain sword will both provide a nice grassy type look.

I think a nice smaller sword would look good in front of the wood. I've always wanted to try the Kleiner Prinz variety, it apparently only gets to be about 12' high and has a nice red color.

Looks like you might need some tall plants for the back. Corkscrew Vallisnaria would work, or maybe Ruffled Amazon Sword, or even Brazilian Pennywort planted in the substrate and allowed to grow along the surface.

Also, sounds like you were getting a little algae, which is something that you will have to keep an eye on with your lighting and CO2.

hywaydave

Where's a good place online to purchase aquatic plants? My pet stores don't have much variety. Amazon Swords, Java Fern, Anubias, Anacharis, and those moss balls, that's about it. I like the Anubia's in the gravel but did know to keep the rhizome above the substrate. In fact, the one on the left just grew a new leaf. I have been leaving the lights on for 11 hours but scaled back to 10 hours yesterday. You're going to get some algae no matter what aren't you, unless you have tons of plants which I don't yet. It's good food for my new ottos!