Questions questions so many questions HELP

[malawistu]

Hello iv been keeping fish for 15 years mainly malawis but i have turn my attentions to planted tanks BUT i dont know much i kind of know things such as more light more ferts and co2 use a good substrate dont over stock with fish remove any leafs with algae and do good sized water changes :? the thing is its all well and good knowing how to do it but its the getting it rite so can any of you help me please.
Im getting a new tank soon 22"long 19"high 18"deep 120l ish i have a fluval 205 and a ehime 2213 to filter it and a TMC aquagrow 1000 tile that is to be hung over the tank also was going to start using co2 and a solenoid to turn of at night and dont have a clue on ferts

1 what ferts to use
2 how much Co2
3 how high should the light be over the tank
4 and how long should i run the tank for till i start adding fish

This may all seem silly to you but with all the thing iv read im

 

[Iain Sutherland]

1. for premixed flourish, ada, elos are good but dry ferts are far cheaper.
2. use a drop checker until a nice lime green. turn it up slowly over the period of a week until you find the sweet spot.
3. Never seem the TMC tiles on a tropical personally, but from reef experience they have quite a narrow spread.
4. When the cycle has finished might be a week, can be a month, depends what cycle your running.

good luck

 

[malawistu]

Thank you I've read about Ada bright green k I think it's called but up to now I've used the jbl ferropol but people keep telling me that there are better

 

[Rabb.D]

for ferts you could use dry ferts, you could use the EI method, i've been using it for two weeks now, can get them from here

http://www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fert ... salts.html or
http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/index ... =1&Regit=2

you could use the calculator to measure the dosage just put in your tank size
http://blog.fluidsensoronline.com/calcu ... ive-index/ or this one
http://calc.petalphile.com/

 

[George Farmer]

Hi there and welcome to UKAPS!

As you're probably aware a higher-energy planted tank system, like the one you seem to have planned is a very different beast to a fish-only aquarium.

Please consider reading through the articles on the main UKAPS site - www.ukaps.org

These should answer most of your questions, in addition to the good advice that's already been posted above.

All the best,
George

 

[malawistu]

for ferts you could use dry ferts, you could use the EI method, i've been using it for two weeks now, can get them from here

http://www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fert ... salts.html or
http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/index ... =1&Regit=2

you could use the calculator to measure the dosage just put in your tank size
http://blog.fluidsensoronline.com/calcu ... ive-index/ or this one
http://calc.petalphile.com/

thank you I will have a look tonight when I have a little more time as I'm at work

 

[malawistu]

Hi there and welcome to UKAPS!

As you're probably aware a higher-energy planted tank system, like the one you seem to have planned is a very different beast to a fish-only aquarium.

Please consider reading through the articles on the main UKAPS site - http://www.ukaps.org

These should answer most of your questions, in addition to the good advice that's already been posted above.

All the best,
George

Thank you George I have had a good read this is where I have got my information from for the light co2 and other things I'm just trying to see what people think are the best out there are so many frets out there some better than others and different ways of setting up and maintaining just all gets a little bit confusing

 

[Rabb.D]

i also feel like just giving you links to all the stuff that helped me setup my tank... but not sure if there's any rules against posting links... but will go ahead anyways

these are just the stuff that helped me out, obviously the first one is in the ferts section about EI dosing
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13 i
i'm not sure if i should elaborate... since i'm not an expert, but i think the gist of the EI method is to provide unlimiting nutrients, which coupled with unlimiting Co2, good flow generally about 10x and sufficient lighting... it's supposed to prevent headaches and making dosing a no brainer... once you understand EI the fert calculator would also be a no brainer...remember don't go for too much light it'll just cause algae problems... also led's are not generally necessary you would do just as well with T5ho's

here are some links on light to give you a better understanding http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com ... hting.html i could try my best to give an general explanation, but i think you should know since you've done some reading... the gist of it is that the watts per gallon is not an ideal way of measuring lighting requirements, instead you have to consider the PAR levels, if you decide to go with T5hos this thread will help in measuring PAR levels http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.ph ... 5HO-lights

 

[malawistu]

i get the lighting and kind of the ei was going to get this do you think it would be ok http://www.aquariumplantfood.co.uk/fert ... r-kit.html

 

[Iain Sutherland]

if you buy dry ferts get them from fluidsensor, sponsor on here too, as they come in nice tidy plastic pots not messy foil bags!! You will appreciate it!!