need some advise or suggestion

**loony** · 27th Dec 2001, 12:13

Greeting people, I'm new here, I have been into planted tank for a few months and lately I was thinking of redoing my tank.

I have 4ft tank, running with a Ehiem 2226, 4kg C02 cylinder with solenoid and 4x36pl lights, lonestar and a monthly supply of ocean free monster booster

my current tank is in a mess, sorrlie no pictures

Anyone can give me a suggestion on how to go about designing the tank?
Do I need to redo the whole tank? I read from somewhere that it will be good if I have an additional layer of fertilizer below the gravel?

Thank you in advance
Loony

**sherchoo** · 27th Dec 2001, 13:17

Hi loony,

Welcome.... In designing the layout, it depends pretty much on your taste. There are some books (amano) which gives some tips on concept design. But most of us juz anyhow plant to our own taste. You can occasionally rescape/replant certain plants which you may not like or reposition until you're satisfied with the look. My tank has been a year plus and still sometimes do reposition my plants.

It will be good idea to put base ferterlizer under your gravel. Your plants will love you for it.. trust me. The only thing you have to worry abt is when you do any plant uprooting, the water gets quite fouled and cloudy. But it will clear in matter of hours.

**loony** · 27th Dec 2001, 14:42

Hi sherchoo,
u guys are fast on replying, thanks. where can I find Takashi Amano's book? I tried searching the libraries but it is always not available.

one question: can I don't redo the gravel and instead insert base fertilizer in? is there another way?

**Tristan** · 27th Dec 2001, 15:10

er... with the ocean free moster thingys.. i don't think you'll need base fert...
er.. there's usually a computer thingy at the libraries.. just check.. they'll show you all the books.. in all the libraries..
kinokuniya also has.. but quite ex.. 70 somthing for 1 and 2... 50 somthing for 3.. and 25.67 for aquarium plant paradise..

**loony** · 27th Dec 2001, 15:12

those boosters are recommended by the fish shop owner, they told me these boosters are good enough and do not have to add the base fertilizer

wow! so expensive?[

]

**Tristan** · 27th Dec 2001, 15:19

how much did they cost? base fert will be cheaper but hard to put in once the tank is filled up... i remember ervine could do it by wrapping it up in paper and dumping it in.. then he poked holds in the paper...
what kind of plants do you grow? stem plants(micranthemum micranthemoides... rotala.. ludwigia..) can take all their fert from the water... i don't have base fert but they grow well...
you can try horti plant tabs but be careful.. bury them deep or the N and P will get into the water.....

**jacian** · 27th Dec 2001, 20:42

You can refer to the following sites for some inspiration.

http://www.vectrapoint.com/
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/

Enjoy...

**loony** · 27th Dec 2001, 21:39

guys, I have one problem, I got no idea what plants I have. I got them because they look nice. so far, no problems, they are all growing

thanks jacian: those pictures from the website you gave is very inspirating