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Post by fisshy on Feb 7, 2012 21:16:29 GMT 11
hi there thinkin about a 3 ft tank basic size semiplanted....may be 1 third planted .....first question ...is pebbles a good enough substrate as there will be some sort of fish in there....2nd...do i need fertilizer ,how much an which is best ....3rd ...how much lighting . will standard fluro do or t5...t8 ..etc 4th how much waterflow .. i have an aqua one 1000 .what about a wave maker....note i do not want a co2 thingy an its a 3ft tank ..... if theres any other areas to be pointed out please post ..ie water changes..ph.. etc
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Post by joller on Feb 8, 2012 18:20:34 GMT 11
i copied bardus71's low tech planted tank i mixxed 50/50 budget potting mix and the naked farmers brand soil activator (both from bunnings) i put 10mm of gravel, 20mm of soil and then 10mm of sand on top, but you should use more like 20mm or more i've since found out i'e tried a bunch of plants bardus gave me, some melted and some are doing well, overall the tank looks pretty crap but the whole reason i did it was to learn a bit about planted tanks so that i can do up a 3 foot, and so far i've learnt a fair bit heres a video i took the other day www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFfxNKVU-E
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Post by fisshy on Feb 8, 2012 19:34:51 GMT 11
joller ....your tank looks good mate ... its not a heavy planted tank but still a very nice set up ..i like how you used the rocks to build up the substrate ... i had a simmilar idea in mind...at least you can seeall what happens in your tank ...give is six months take a photo an compare them an see the difference..................................does any one know what the broad leaf plant is at omalleys on the drift wood....about 5 of them ... i can get some val .....needsome sort of ground cover plant .....anwhat you guys say will go with them....do i need a blue light or just a single tube t5or t8.. my substrate will be pebbles....happy to use a fertiliser but lets try to do set up with out it
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Post by joller on Feb 8, 2012 21:04:42 GMT 11
yeah i used to have it really heavily planted towards the back but that was with a type of plant that didnt like the conditions, and so it melted the tank won't be around for that long mate already got plans for my second attempt in a 3 footer broad leaf plant on driftwood sounds like some type of anubias?
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Post by fisshy on Feb 8, 2012 21:26:48 GMT 11
yeah i just looked up some photos an that what it is ...not sure on what type though
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Post by bardus71 on Feb 11, 2012 11:13:15 GMT 11
Hey fisshy, its a big world out there in planted tank land. Lots of things to consider but thats half the fun in getting proficient at keeping an aquatic garden. I am using a style based on a book called "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" by Diana Walstad. Called a Natural Planted Tank/NPT/El Natural, its low tech, cheap, and accessible to most people. There are other approaches, but I would say start with low tech, meaning low light (<2WPG T8's), and suitable plants from the low light plant list in this section of the forum. From there, you can spend thousands of dollars on fertile commercial substrates, pressurised CO2, plant fertilisers, and hi tech lighting etc etc etc. Robjnr had a tank like this that was spectacular to look at. Would love to hear what he's up to now! I'll start up a thread given time on my tank & other approaches, in the meantime here's a few pics. It took me 9 months to figure out what look I was after and fiddling around, its a long journey but enjoyable, heaps to learn & sink your teeth into. We should all get together for a BBQ & beers to generate a bit of excitement in planted tanks. Any takers???
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Post by joller on Feb 11, 2012 17:48:04 GMT 11
wow dude that lotus wants out!
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Post by bardus71 on Feb 11, 2012 21:30:20 GMT 11
Indeed, I'm hoping it will flower. By the way, the photos above are of a 4' tank panning from left to right, the last shot being the lotus leaves on the surface. Joller, you do need a few more tanks for your second fish room. But don't stop there, outdoors lies a whole new world of opportunity for you........
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Post by bardus71 on Mar 6, 2012 22:53:37 GMT 11
Any plans in action yet fisshy?
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Post by fisshy on Mar 7, 2012 17:05:31 GMT 11
yeah got a 3 footer x450x450 .......2 xdriftwood ...3 globe t8?x2ft light ... a powerhead to turn the water over .....1 anabus on wood plant ..... sponge cannister filter cf1000 will go on this week ....200wt heater.....i might get some val off the neighbour tonight fot tank .... and i pick up a pair of pep bn on weekend they be in there for a couple of weeks before i put into another tank an then put 4 small discus about 4 inches for my first try at discus .... an when a little bigger transfer them to another bigger tank when i get one
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Post by bardus71 on Apr 3, 2012 7:11:42 GMT 11
That should be a month old now mate, any photos of it grown in? Any issues along the way? Need any more plants?
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Post by Admin on Apr 3, 2012 10:37:06 GMT 11
Be careful using plants that drop their leaves regularly as they will break down quickly and cause nitrates.
I still believe some species of fish need bare bottom tanks for perfect health and ease of cleaning. Discus would be one of them, angelfish fry would be another.
Good luck with the new species, piccies will be required lol.
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Post by fisshy on Sept 15, 2012 21:29:07 GMT 11
sorry bardius had lookin ok then sold tanks ...sold peps ....osbn.. ..put discus in 4ftr bare bottom.....
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