What in your opinion is the best tip to succeed

[Marcel G]

My best tip to succeed in a planted aquarium is to fall in love with algae the same way you like the plants. From that very moment every setup and every tank will look great to you, and you'll feel successful whether you have an algae-full tank, or beautiful planted one. 😉

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

My best tip to succeed in a planted aquarium is to fall in love with algae the same way you like the plants. From that very moment every setup and every tank will look great to you, and you'll feel successful whether you have an algae-full tank, or beautiful planted one. 😉

I love my <"periphyton">, or <"aufwuchs">, in fact I'd like a bit more of it.



cheers Darrel

 

[viktorlantos]

Hi
What in your opinion is the best tip to succeed in a planted aquarium? When I say the best tip I mean let's say get the co2 flow right the rest will follow or schedule water changes ? I'm just wondering if there is a key to begin with
Cheers
Mick
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would recommend to visit a specialist shop before you buy anything. If this is accessible in your location or with a few hours trip.
This way you can see many tank in flesh, can see different setups, check what kind of light filtration these setups use. Do not forget to ask questions there about these tanks. How much light, maintenance they are using etc.
Not just cost of the setup but running cost too!

This takes a few hours and gives you a really good initial guide.

If you're still unsure repeat your visit. This does not mean you need to spend any money, but will help for you to make sure you really want this or this was a quick fire of a need.
On your second visits you may will have other questions too. Can focus on different things.

Especially if you jump and spend some cash on it, which you will for sure then 2 visits worth every penny. This does not mean you have to spend there anything. You can DIY all what you've seen there or go 2nd hand, but at least you know what is needed.

Forums are great and you will find all kinds of information once you know what to look for. Of course you will see opposite opinions too, as there will be experts even scientists and newbies too who will give advices. Sometimes hard to select the best one from all to be honest. -- maybe the mark as best answer feature would be good for these kind of forums with people vote. Later on you will understand most people has valid points, but many of us see things from different sides and goals are different too.

So i would start with a specialist and would read on the forum too. But if i had to read weeks or months to have a planted tank that will not work.

If we have a visitor i usually guide them in our gallery. We shows them the different examples (fast grows, slow growths, cheap, more expensive ways, small, large tanks, low maintenance, high maintenance things).
How much time you have? What is your goal? Budget sensitive or not? (this is important on running cost too). Are you prepared for 2-3 hours of maintenance weekly? If not then slow down and go the easy and much cheaper way.

I could write much more, but the best thing to see these tanks live the 2nd best is to do your own and learn on the fly like many of us do or did in the past. Do journals and get feedback from others.
Algae is your friend not your enemy. Teach you how to do things right and note you if you're leaving the path (neglecting) later on. So do not worry about that. All algae can be handled and you will meet most of them in your first year 🙂

 

[Another Phil]

Hi frenchi,
No best tip, but the best thing I own is the 'Observer's Book of Pond Life', very descriptive of everything from fungi to carp. 🙂

I introduce water from various sources like horse-troughs with daphnia etc, and I've seen little white 4mm long nematodes eating algae on the glass in a circle around themselves, so I guess getting a varied micro-fauna helps in a long term tank.
phil

 

[Guest]

Great little books. I've owned a copy of that one since childhood and still use it to ID strange wriggly things that turn up in my tank...uninvited.

 

[Frenchi]

I would recommend to visit a specialist shop before you buy anything. If this is accessible in your location or with a few hours trip.
This way you can see many tank in flesh, can see different setups, check what kind of light filtration these setups use. Do not forget to ask questions there about these tanks. How much light, maintenance they are using etc.
Not just cost of the setup but running cost too!

This takes a few hours and gives you a really good initial guide.

If you're still unsure repeat your visit. This does not mean you need to spend any money, but will help for you to make sure you really want this or this was a quick fire of a need.
On your second visits you may will have other questions too. Can focus on different things.

Especially if you jump and spend some cash on it, which you will for sure then 2 visits worth every penny. This does not mean you have to spend there anything. You can DIY all what you've seen there or go 2nd hand, but at least you know what is needed.

Forums are great and you will find all kinds of information once you know what to look for. Of course you will see opposite opinions too, as there will be experts even scientists and newbies too who will give advices. Sometimes hard to select the best one from all to be honest. -- maybe the mark as best answer feature would be good for these kind of forums with people vote. Later on you will understand most people has valid points, but many of us see things from different sides and goals are different too.

So i would start with a specialist and would read on the forum too. But if i had to read weeks or months to have a planted tank that will not work.

If we have a visitor i usually guide them in our gallery. We shows them the different examples (fast grows, slow growths, cheap, more expensive ways, small, large tanks, low maintenance, high maintenance things).
How much time you have? What is your goal? Budget sensitive or not? (this is important on running cost too). Are you prepared for 2-3 hours of maintenance weekly? If not then slow down and go the easy and much cheaper way.

I could write much more, but the best thing to see these tanks live the 2nd best is to do your own and learn on the fly like many of us do or did in the past. Do journals and get feedback from others.
Algae is your friend not your enemy. Teach you how to do things right and note you if you're leaving the path (neglecting) later on. So do not worry about that. All algae can be handled and you will meet most of them in your first year 🙂

Very well put I really see things in perspective here.. I did go down a blind route waisted lots of money and still am .. But I do have 3 half decent tanks now .. No where near the standard I would like but I do like them 🙂
I don't know of any shops near me that do specialise in the planted field .. There is some quite good shops that sell good gear but try to sell me things that I know just isn't right, they pretend to know about it in other words .
I have learned quite a bit from here though.. My problem is when I do something I like to succeed 1st class..
I was a member of another forum in a completely different field a few years ago, to do with air guns I ended making wooden stocks for people and even made one for a world champion who still uses it now in competitions .. I even made it into magazines etc.. I know that was off subject a little, my point being I like to beat my goals ..
Thank you for your experience and knowledge🙂

Mick


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[roadmaster]

Choose a method and learn it well.
Choose someone's advice with similar method or tank that you like and follow it/their advice.