Advice needed for Low-Tech planted tank

[GHD97]

Hi all. I would like to have a low-tech planted tank. However, I have had no experience whatsoever
I would like a sand substrate
1)Will using OceanFree Absolute Plant Ball Fertilizer that add nutrients into water column be enough?

2)I plan on only keeping plants that get their nutrients from the water column. As long as no root feeders are kept i should be fine with sand substrate right?

3)If I install lights, would it mean i have to balance fertilization to match increased photosynthesis?

4)I read that aquarium lights need to be replaced every 6months as they no longer produce the full spectrum of light. Do LED lights have the same problem? Or can they last forever and still continue producing the light spectrum required?

5) Hopefully no CO2 added
Please advice Thanks in advance

[thebaldingaquarist]

1)Will using OceanFree Absolute Plant Ball Fertilizer that add nutrients into water column be enough?
[eric] depends on the plants that you have planted into the soil.

2)I plan on only keeping plants that get their nutrients from the water column. As long as no root feeders are kept i should be fine with sand substrate right?
[eric] Yes you are right

3)If I install lights, would it mean i have to balance fertilization to match increased photosynthesis?
[eric] yes. among other things. plants, fert, light, co2 and even water temp. need to attain a balance.

4)I read that aquarium lights need to be replaced every 6months as they no longer produce the full spectrum of light. Do LED lights have the same problem? Or can they last forever and still continue producing the light spectrum required?
[eric] what you have read about light tubes is correct. LED lights have a longer lifespan and when they do degrade, they degrade rapidly. so all in all, LEDs have a longer and more stable lighting ability compared to tubes. LEDs do not last forever, i think it averages around 35000 to 50000 operational hours. Don't quote me, because LEDs have varying build quality..

5) Hopefully no CO2 added
[eric] i would go with mosses and maybe a little java fern if i don't want to add Co2. But i expect the plant growth to be SLOW.

[Mookie]

I'm also a newbie, I'm looking at setting up a low tech tank.And was wondering if a normal 2ft fish tank bought from LFS ie Classica (OHF) would provide the required water circulation for healthy Moss/fern growth. And also is the normal light provided with the tank is sufficient?

And if I'm looking at 1 snail, 1 OTTO, 10 cardinal tetras and maybe another 8 shrimps, would that be considered too high a bio load for a 2ft low tech tank?

I see Eric mentioning SLOW for low tech tanks, but was wondering how slow is slow? How long would I have to wait for a full lawn of maybe for Riccia or one of the faster growing moss? I know it might depend on how much I buy and plant at the start. But maybe someone could give me an example? Eg 3 packets bought and spread evenly on a 2ft tank could take 6months...

Thanks a lot of in advance guys!

[GHD97]

Hi Eric thanks for the advice
I know that nutrient deficiencies cause yellowing or melting of plants, but will lack of CO2 kill the plants? Or will it just limit the growth rate? With sufficient light and fertilizer my plants should appear healthy at least even if they do not grow very fast right?

Wow then LED lights would be more cost efficient and require less maintenance Any good brands for LEDs to recommend?^^

Thanks

[GHD97]

Hi Mookie
What's the turnover rate of the tank's filter?

As long as your filter has a turnover rate of 4-6 times the tank volume, tank is well planted.Filtration should be enough and your stocking levels should be fine shrimps and snails don't contribute a lot to a tank'a bio load

[thebaldingaquarist]

I'm also a newbie, I'm looking at setting up a low tech tank.And was wondering if a normal 2ft fish tank bought from LFS ie Classica (OHF) would provide the required water circulation for healthy Moss/fern growth. And also is the normal light provided with the tank is sufficient?

And if I'm looking at 1 snail, 1 OTTO, 10 cardinal tetras and maybe another 8 shrimps, would that be considered too high a bio load for a 2ft low tech tank?

I see Eric mentioning SLOW for low tech tanks, but was wondering how slow is slow? How long would I have to wait for a full lawn of maybe for Riccia or one of the faster growing moss? I know it might depend on how much I buy and plant at the start. But maybe someone could give me an example? Eg 3 packets bought and spread evenly on a 2ft tank could take 6months...

Thanks a lot of in advance guys!

Slow... Not sure how to describe. If my hornworts can grow new sections everyday.. Slow means one or two sections per week.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Hi Eric thanks for the advice
I know that nutrient deficiencies cause yellowing or melting of plants, but will lack of CO2 kill the plants? Or will it just limit the growth rate? With sufficient light and fertilizer my plants should appear healthy at least even if they do not grow very fast right?

Wow then LED lights would be more cost efficient and require less maintenance Any good brands for LEDs to recommend?^^

Thanks

Lack of co2 means plants cannot grow optimally. The environment does not give it the best mix of parameters. If so, other organisms like algae will grow better. Which means they will overtake the plants.

This is the reason why I have low requirements plants and high requirement plants in the same tank. So when conditions are not good for the high requirement plants, the low requirement ones can still continue to grow. Not giving algae a chance.

No co2 is ok in my dictionary. But make sure lights are low in power, fert in low amounts. Dose excel to deter algae growth.

As for led... I use have been using led for the last 1.5 years. I feel that customizing my own is the best. But do check out the forum for reviews on odyssey, maxspec razor. Cost effectiveness.. Is subjective. Because it depends on the initial investment you made.

[wongce]

Lack of co2 means plants cannot grow optimally. The environment does not give it the best mix of parameters. If so, other organisms like algae will grow better. Which means they will overtake the plants.

This is the reason why I have low requirements plants and high requirement plants in the same tank. So when conditions are not good for the high requirement plants, the low requirement ones can still continue to grow. Not giving algae a chance.

No co2 is ok in my dictionary. But make sure lights are low in power, fert in low amounts. Dose excel to deter algae growth.

As for led... I use have been using led for the last 1.5 years. I feel that customizing my own is the best. But do check out the forum for reviews on odyssey, maxspec razor. Cost effectiveness.. Is subjective. Because it depends on the initial investment you made.

thumbs up for the grandmaster's speech...

Hi TS, LED power consumption is lower but initial investment is high... there are also complains about quality issues, i am uisng Green Element LED setup..so far ok ( touch wood)

[GHD97]

Thanks Eric and wongce very informative and useful^^ Thanks a lot I shall check up the other reviews too