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Help on adding real plants

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Help on adding real plants Empty Help on adding real plants

Post  suzanne Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:28 pm

I have a 3ft x 1ft x 1ft community tank with a sand substrate, I really want to add some live plants so looking on advice on what to plant? I have had some before from a well known pet shop but ended up with plenty snails and dead plants.
Thanks

suzanne

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Post  Chrisfraser05 Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:42 pm

Hiya,

every plant is different and has different demands. Whats going to work in your tank is sometimes more like trial and error than anything else but there are ways to try and get more success.

Firstly where about are you?

D and I in Lossiemouth have got a good selection of pretty healthy plants now. I worked with Derek looking into CO2 and Fertilizers for his plant holding tank.

Like a certain chain do he used to hold them in a standard tank without any special considderations. As with the chain if you got plants on the delivery day you'd get some good plants but as the week or weeks went on most of the plants melt and you'll be lucky to take them home and recover them.

D and I now have stopped having to throw away their plants and are keeping them in good condition ready to move on Smile

Basically you need to research what plants would do best in your tank first before shopping for them.

What sort of lighting do you have? would you be interested in fertilizing or are you looking for something where you can just plant and let the fish waste do the work?

Theres a couple of links in the web links section about ferts and also what effects lacks of certain nutrients do to plants. The descriptions are really good and quite often you will see why your previous plants have failed from reading these.


Anything you need plant wise don't hessitate to get intouch,

chris
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Post  Chrisfraser05 Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:46 pm

Also tropica's website is a REALLY good resource!

http://www.tropica.com/home.aspx

Smile
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Post  suzanne Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:51 pm

Hi Chris

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I am based in Kingussie but have used D and I before.

When i planted the last plants i had gravel substrate. Is sand any better for the plants? I have an aqua glow bulb.

I will do a bit of reading and see what i find.

Suzanne

suzanne

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Post  Chrisfraser05 Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:03 pm

I find sand much better for holding the roots.

What size and wattage is the bulb and how old is it?

Wonder if there is somewhere closer to you that you'd get decent plants???

Maybe speak to the chain store and find out what day their plants are due in. Get in there while they're good!!!
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Post  suzanne Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:18 pm

Bulb is 24 inches and 20 watt. I got it second hand with the tank so not sure of age.

I am happy to travel to D and I but will have to try and be good and not buy anymore fish as not sure if i have room in my tank.

suzanne

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Post  Chrisfraser05 Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:35 pm

lol


You need to change the bulb as a matter of priority if you are getting new plants. They loose most of their power after about 10 months to a year.
20w is quite a low amount for the size of tank to begin with.

I was using 32w over a 2x1x1 and it was difficult to keep some plants.

You need to be looking at what you can keep in low lighting conditions. Java ferns are quite a good choice as are some crypts. Java fern needs to have its roots in the water not burried. You can buy it pre rooted to wood in D and I.
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