Top 10 things I did not know about planted tanks

[thebaldingaquarist]

Hello all!
I am still a newbie to the planted tank scene, but after so much time in front of the tank, i realised that there is much to learn!

And here are the top 10 things that i discovered (easy or hard way)

10.the smaller and more colorful the shrimp, the more expensive.
9. Circulation is not the same as filtration
8. Some plants grow on land, some plants go in water, some plants grow in both
7. there are plants that cost more than $10 per stalk.. OMG.
6. there is more science in the lights for planted tanks than I thought
5. Algae is there in every tank.
4. natural sunlight is the worst kind of light for planted aquarium, unless you have a big pond.
3. shrimps do not give a damn about your face near the glass as much as the fish does
2. Your plants grow faster when you are not watching them
1. Human Pee can be used to cycle a tank


Whats yours top 10? LOL

[nicholasliao]

Wah. I didnt know about number 1.

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[QuintKana]

Sometime back I read about the old thread on #1 human pee, hahahaha

I like #3 though

[apek19]

No. 1?? Really??

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[thebaldingaquarist]

ya.. number 1... don't be afraid to try it! LOL

[sthh]

Thanks for the list.
Very fun to read.

Here's some to add:

Algae in a tank is not really such a bad thing. It indicates that your tank is mature, and provides food when you are away on holiday.
Snails in the tank is not always your enemies. Don't rush to chemical bomb everyone of them, and take out your prized fauna along the way.

#3.. Not always true for very shy shrimps like those from sulawesi. They can die of shock when you put your face too near.

and for #7, Some cheap well grown plants are more beautiful than slow growing very expensive algae attracting plants.

[nicholasliao]

eric confirm not? How reliable is your #1. If not everyone pee in the tank already.

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[thebaldingaquarist]

Thanks for the list.
Very fun to read.

Here's some to add:

Algae in a tank is not really such a bad thing. It indicates that your tank is mature, and provides food when you are away on holiday.
Snails in the tank is not always your enemies. Don't rush to chemical bomb everyone of them, and take out your prized fauna along the way.

#3.. Not always true for very shy shrimps like those from sulawesi. They can die of shock when you put your face too near.

and for #7, Some cheap well grown plants are more beautiful than slow growing very expensive algae attracting plants.

Did not know about #3! added to my list!
agree with your statement about cheap plants being more beautiful, in fact all my plants are cheap. haha. i just did not know that some plants are SO expensive!

My list
11. Shy shrimps like sulawesi shrimp can die of shock if you put your face too close!
10.the smaller and more colorful the shrimp, the more expensive.
9. Circulation is not the same as filtration
8. Some plants grow on land, some plants go in water, some plants grow in both
7. there are plants that cost more than $10 per stalk.. OMG.
6. there is more science in the lights for planted tanks than I thought
5. Algae is there in every tank.
4. natural sunlight is the worst kind of light for planted aquarium, unless you have a big pond.
3. shrimps do not give a damn about your face near the glass as much as the fish does (see 11 as well)
2. Your plants grow faster when you are not watching them
1. Human Pee can be used to cycle a tank

Whats yours?

[wongce]

Uncle eric, don't eat humble pie lah...you are on expert level...

1) imagine primming your eheim classic canister, and you accidentally drinks a mouthful of the tonic water...wahaha well I know you are into green and recycle stuff.. good job...next stop is shit as base fert? Lol ( just a joke, newbies please do not try this at home)
2)true..very true
3)my shrimp jumps away when I am near the tank..
4 to 10) agree with you
11) no money to keep sulawesi tank yet, so can't comment

Uncle eric, Can I add more?
12) this hobby requires a lot of research, time and effort to have a successful mini ecosystem. We are basically playing god to them, so play nice.
13) this hobby is more than poking plants into soil and pray for it to grow as nice a Shadow's tank....(I am inspired by Shadow's tank)
14) a lot of people think they can just kick start the hobby and have a nice scape tank just by buying expensive stuffs and equipment...this hobby is more than meets the eye...read my blog...you will be surprised how low is my budget.
15) algae can be very beautiful...haha love thy enemy...
16) having a planted tank at home and having your neighbours/visitor and manage to wow them....very very happy feeling.
17) having the neighbours/visitors asking "are they fake plants in the aquarium" ...priceless, satisfaction guaranteed.

[limz_777]

eric confirm not? How reliable is your #1. If not everyone pee in the tank already.

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i read about predatory fgt set-up using dog pee to cycle before , it does work

but for planted tank , your hand constantly goes in and out

[thebaldingaquarist]

Reliable or not, I myself used it for my tank. 50ml of made-in-singapore goodness! LOL!

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[nicholasliao]

Hahahahahaha. That is funny. No livestock damage after how many weeks?

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[thebaldingaquarist]

Hahahahahaha. That is funny. No livestock damage after how many weeks?

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It was a baretank cycling. using only hornworts. after 2 weeks of running, no change of water.. in goes 50ml of eric juice.

After 2 days, measure... 0 ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

To be honest, i am not sure what took the nutrients away, was it the filter or the hornworts took it first. LOL.

Anyways, cannot get past my psychological stigma... did a 100% water change that weekend.

Good stuff. but i won't recommend. ESPECIALLY for eheim classic users.. need to suck to prime..

[thebaldingaquarist]

Uncle eric, don't eat humble pie lah...you are on expert level...

1) imagine primming your eheim classic canister, and you accidentally drinks a mouthful of the tonic water...wahaha well I know you are into green and recycle stuff.. good job...next stop is shit as base fert? Lol ( just a joke, newbies please do not try this at home)
2)true..very true
3)my shrimp jumps away when I am near the tank..
4 to 10) agree with you
11) no money to keep sulawesi tank yet, so can't comment

Uncle eric, Can I add more?
12) this hobby requires a lot of research, time and effort to have a successful mini ecosystem. We are basically playing god to them, so play nice.
13) this hobby is more than poking plants into soil and pray for it to grow as nice a Shadow's tank....(I am inspired by Shadow's tank)
14) a lot of people think they can just kick start the hobby and have a nice scape tank just by buying expensive stuffs and equipment...this hobby is more than meets the eye...read my blog...you will be surprised how low is my budget.
15) algae can be very beautiful...haha love thy enemy...
16) having a planted tank at home and having your neighbours/visitor and manage to wow them....very very happy feeling.
17) having the neighbours/visitors asking "are they fake plants in the aquarium" ...priceless, satisfaction guaranteed.

sure! this thread is meant to engage. maybe it will serve as a interesting thread to follow for newbies like me!

[thebaldingaquarist]

i read about predatory fgt set-up using dog pee to cycle before , it does work

but for planted tank , your hand constantly goes in and out

i think thats where i read it also.

Noted on the point where hands keep going in.. thats why i did a 100% water change.. cannot get past that stigma.. LOL

[Marcus Lay]

i actuall had abit of trouble...plants keep on shedding..and turn yellow.. =/

[thebaldingaquarist]

i actuall had abit of trouble...plants keep on shedding..and turn yellow.. =/

So what did you do? what did you learn?

[FabianLee]

My mouth literally dropped at the pee section.

One thing I learned in planted tank, crayfish are natural aqua scapist, no matter how you plant, how you adjust the rocks the Driftwood, it will be at another corner nicely made into a cave the next morning.

So just throw them in and let it's talent flow.

And they are great pruners, trimming is not necessary especially Moss.

[thebaldingaquarist]

My mouth literally dropped at the pee section.

One thing I learned in planted tank, crayfish are natural aqua scapist, no matter how you plant, how you adjust the rocks the Driftwood, it will be at another corner nicely made into a cave the next morning.

So just throw them in and let it's talent flow.

And they are great pruners, trimming is not necessary especially Moss.

The CPO i kept is definitely not as talented as yours. haha.

[FabianLee]

They are too small to reveal their talent. I have to constantly supply mine with seachem matrix to play as toys or else chaos befall my tank.

And not forgetting their bulldozing skills which work super badly on soil. Cloudiness all day long.

That one was huge lesson on planted tank with crayfish. I would rather he eat the plants than design for me.