Newbie Planting and plant health guidance.

[Tim Taylor]

I currently have a Juwel Lido 120, and have planted the tank without really thinking about it. Subsequently, what I have in there isn't looking very good. I have Swords and Java Fern, Vallis (which keeps floating!). Both the Swords and the Fern are looking straggly, and the Vallis is going brown, so I don't think it is going to survive.

I want to totally remove all plants, and do it properly, with less broad leaf plants (Swords) and more 'rounded' or 'softer' leaves, such as Pennywort, or Wisteria.

For decor, the tank has a largish artificial Mangrove root tree stump in it (but plenty of nooks and crannys to anchor into) and 2 medium sized lava rocks. The substrate is a very small sized gravel. The lighting is stock 2 x 24w T5 tubes.

I will be using CO2 injection via an UP inline diffuser, and a pressurised canister (in this case, Sodastream).

I guess I am looking for advice on the following:

Easy, fast growing plants that are 'soft' to look at.
Recommended plant food supplements (I already use a liquid fert) but I am slowly learning that other supplements are needed.

Up to now, my plants seem to have struggled, even though I am putting plenty of CO2 in the tank, so I'm guessing there is a lack of nutrients in the tank.

I want a heavily planted tank, one that is 'wild' to look at, as opposed to scaped, so tall plants with not only height, but spread.

The stupid thing is, I have an AquaOne Nano 40 with a few plants in it, and they are doing fine, especially the java fern and wisteria which have gone mad! There is no Co2 in that tank, and again, only a liquid fert.

I need guidance!

Thanks.

 

[spyder]

Hi.

In the navigation menu's above there is an "articles link" This is a great place to start.

Grab your self a brew when you can steal 30mins and read through http://www.ukaps.org/EI.htm

A lot of people tend to use dry ferts and make up their own mixes. Sounds tricky at first but it can be as easy as adding teaspoons of salts into a container and adding an amount of water and giving a good shake. Just remember, a little excess is ok, a shortage can lead to bad plant health.

Next one up http://www.ukaps.org/higher-tech-tank.htm.

Full of info and links to various topics. Your lighting is fine and pressurized co2 choice is good. I'm not sure on the Lido's filteration system or what filter you intend to use so you may wish to research that a little more.

The easy fast growing plants, take a look in your Aqua one nano. I find Staurogyne not painfully slow and you can soon fill an area from the trimmings. Most stems will be fast with your lighting if the co2 and ferts are taken care of.

Good luck with the tank and remember to start a journal.