55g mid-tech planted tank journal

[naps]

Very nice! Really good plant growth, especially for a new tank.

Some red plants (and green ones for that matter) simply do not do well with low ferts and no CO2. Some plants just require it, but not all.

The only thing I would suggest to improve the tank is to add a background. Black is always my favorite for planted tanks because it makes the plant colors pop.

So would it be worthwile to invest in a co2 system?? Any feedback welcome on this

Right now I have a 2217 running and then a 300 HOB Penn Plax running. I just like extra filtration, so would I need to buy another cannister and then a co2 system, cause that's not really the money I can spend right now:)

[Complexity]

Would a CO2 system improve plant growth? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Nope. And if you did add CO2, you would need to replace the HOB filter with something that caused less surface disturbance.

If you want a tank with a large number of different plants, including red plants, similar to the tank in my sig, then you need CO2. For the tank you have now, you do not need CO2.

Alternatively, you can always dose Excel.

[naps]

I do use excel, but I was just thinking that it might be better in the long run to switch to co2...do you think another canister filter is needed or just a power head? If the tank has a high water level the HOB does not cause much surface disturbance, but the whole HOB process gases off co2, correct??

Thanks for the info!!

[TaTeR ToT]

dude it looks amazing!

i wish i had a green thumb:|
i am giving live plants a shot in my 75g eartheater tank.
i got some awesome plants from fish gallery that are like a cross between a sword and a val.

i dont know what they are though.

[Complexity]

Yes, the HOB causes surface disturbance which gasses off the CO2. So the less disturbance, the better, which is why HOBs are usually not used with CO2. That's not to say there should be no surface disturbance; there should be. It just needs to be gentle.

Switching to CO2 would definitely be better in the long run if your goal is to grow plants. CO2 provides carbon to the plants which is the basic building blocks used by plants to grow. It's hard to grow a new leaf if you don't have the actual materials to create that leaf. CO2 provides that.

Right now, I've run out of CO2 in both of my tanks. I can see a dramatic difference in plant growth. Some plants just refuse to grow. Others are dying. Some are doing fine as is. I'm also not dosing ferts. So I'm able to see the direct effects of dosing ferts and CO2 on my plants. Do I have plants growing nicely? Yes. But the variety is limited and the growth is much slower. Given a choice, I prefer plant growth with CO2 and ferts; however, it is not absolutely necessary to have a planted tank. It's a matter of finances vs. desire for a variety of plants and growth of the plants. I think it's worth it, but not everyone does.

[naps]

Thanks for the feedback guys!! I just want to keep making this tank better...decisions, decisions!!! I think I over ferted at fist (and did not have the lights or co2 to back it up) and now I am backing off a bit and doing water changes, some iron and excel with a 9 hr photo period 2.3 WP of CF light. I also have root tabs under there. I just hate the green spot algae and the algae on the java moss is a challenge. I don't mind the extra work on the glass, and I am doing about 2x 50% water changes a week.
I do have a 2 x 54w h/t-5 light laying around that I could add...????


BTW... LOVE your tank Vicki and thanks for the advise and help!! :)

[Complexity]

I wouldn't add the T5 fixture, but replace your CF with the T5 fixture. You have more than enough light on that tank already; you don't need more. More would only give you more trouble.

I take it you meant to say you have algae on your java fern, not java moss? If so, don't feel too bad. Java ferns and other slow growing plants are not as easy to grow as most people claim. I have poor success with them, personally. They're claim to fame isn't so much that they're easy to grow, but they are sooooo slow to grow, they are equally as slow to die. So they simply do not die as fast as other plants which allows them to take a lot more abuse before dying. Their slow growth rate makes then algae collectors.

[wesleydnunder]

Naps, I have a co2 system for sale; 5lb bottle, regulator/solenoid/needle valve and Rex Griggs DIY reactor if you're interested. It's the system I had on my discus tank. LMK if you're interested.

Mark

[naps]

Naps, I have a co2 system for sale; 5lb bottle, regulator/solenoid/needle valve and Rex Griggs DIY reactor if you're interested. It's the system I had on my discus tank. LMK if you're interested.

Mark

PM'd :)