What plant tank methods do you use?

**barmby** · 12th Aug 2005, 23:30

Originally Posted by bclee

Tank dimension: 60cm x 30cm x 30cm (bowfront)
Volume: 60L
Lights: 51W (15W FL + 36W PL)
Plant list:
Anubius barteri var nana
Barclaya longifolia
Cryptocoryne albida
Cryptocoryne grifithii
Cryptocoryne ponterderiifolia
Cryptocoryne undulata
Cryptocoryne wendtii "green"
Cryptocoryne wendtii "brown"
Cryptocoryne wendtii "tropica"
Echinodorus tenellus
Eleocharis parvula(?) (hairgrass)
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides
Hygrophila corymbosa "compact"
Lobelia cardinalis
Salvina natans
Vesicularia sp. "christmas"

BC

Very nice. made me envy. somemore so many slow growers..

**barmby** · 12th Aug 2005, 23:31

Originally Posted by Plantbrain

Well, folks get burned out after 20 some years of high tech growth speeds, we need to relax

Regards,
Tom Barr

Learnt this from you.

"less" is more.........

**Plantbrain** · 13th Aug 2005, 01:13

I preach both sides of the fence, I know what most folks are looking for.

I say they do not need to test or do the CO2, but I have more testing equipment than just about anyone and have a dozen cO2 enriched tanks, but most are still non CO2.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**StanChung** · 13th Aug 2005, 05:48

can't agree more...

this is my profile and many others in my circle...

first buy plants, can't wait for it too look like jungle/fill out... then want it to stay that state for as long as possible with minimum fuss while hunting for the latest more exotic ones.... fit this bill?

**Sweet Angel** · 20th Aug 2005, 14:04

Geeezz...

And now I've spent so many cash, time, & energy trying to get a beautiful CO2 tank...
Dunno a non CO2 tank can get as pretty as bclee's...
Well I guess I'll keep fight for the CO2, coz I've been in the middle of it.
But having another non CO2 tank is fun I guess...

**StanChung** · 23rd Aug 2005, 00:04

as long as you have the patience...but non co2 tank is too slooooowww...

**baranne** · 23rd Aug 2005, 11:04

Originally Posted by standoyo

as long as you have the patience...but non co2 tank is too slooooowww...

When you scape reaches your desired layout and growth, you may actually prefer for it be very slooooow... or best to remain as it is...

**StanChung** · 24th Aug 2005, 16:34

yea can't agree more! take more pictures then at least when your fingers are itchy you have those to remember by...

**Plantbrain** · 22nd Nov 2005, 03:56

I have seen a tredn in the last couple of years for folks who are capable of growing plants raoidly, but opting for slower growth CO2 or they go non CO2.

It's nice to see the backlash from more light is better crowd.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**MiSo** · 22nd Nov 2005, 10:55

i picked high tech because i use co2, but its a diy co2 system.

**Rupert** · 11th Jan 2006, 20:39

I went from High tech in everyway, then changed the lighting from MH’s to T5HO, no CO2, P04 weekly when I am in SG for the last 2.5 months, and am struggling to find the middle / hybrid road with some CO2 when I want it? CO2 & Dosing only in the weekends any one tried this?

**stcyrwm** · 13th Jan 2006, 21:22

Originally Posted by Rupert

I went from High tech in everyway, then changed the lighting from MH’s to T5HO, no CO2, P04 weekly when I am in SG for the last 2.5 months, and am struggling to find the middle / hybrid road with some CO2 when I want it? CO2 & Dosing only in the weekends any one tried this?

I use 2 wpg, dose Excel daily, ferts once a week and water change once every 2 to 4 weeks. Keeps everything growing steadily but limits the pruning needed especially for plants like riccia.

Bill

**Plantbrain** · 11th Feb 2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by standoyo

as long as you have the patience...but non co2 tank is too slooooowww...

Some things are worth the wait, once they are runnig and filled in, then you have the most stable tank you'll ever see.

I can grow most plants, no water changes, weekyl dosing, no ropuning except once every 1-2 months, never clean the glass, no CO2 fiddling, low light=less heat= less electricity cost=less initial cost.

Oh it's certainly worth it.
But so are CO2 tanks.

I have 11 tanks, most are small, but I'd never be able to tend to them all, this way I can have the best of both worlds.

Regards,
Tom Barr

**StanChung** · 11th Feb 2006, 13:56

i'm beginning to understand the cryptic words from amano's books/mags 'this tank was maintained over a long period of time' and these are co2+ tanks. these are of course the narrow leaf jf and bolbitis tanks...

i'm actually into slow growers but trying to speed them up so that i can turn down the speed at sit back and enjoy for a longer period of time...

there's something about non co2 that's very attractive...especially moss tanks. would like one very much.

**mordrake** · 24th Feb 2006, 18:20

i have this 6ft high tech setup (3x150W mh, co2 etc).
things were fine when it was going full steam and family commitments wasn't so taxing.

but after the arrival of my son (now 1yr old), less and less time were spent on maintaining the tank.

now with the pending arrival of my 2nd child, i'm seriously thinking of turning the tank into a low tech one. failing, i would most probably sell off everything.

with mh lights, is it possible to go low tech?
been getting more and more bba lately. dosing n co2 has not changed so i gathered it's my bulbs... going on 18mths without change.

thanks for any input

**bclee** · 24th Feb 2006, 18:36

Yes... it is possible.

You might consider reducing the lights to 2x150W if possible.

Just totally turn off your CO2. Stop the dosing of fertilisers. Do just one big water change. In the beginning, you might run into algae problem when the plants try to adapt. Do keep removing the algae as much as possible. After a few weeks or a month, things should stabilise. You might also want to replace the more demanding plants. Crypts are great for low-maintenance tanks.

After that, things should be in cruise control mode.

BC

**mordrake** · 25th Feb 2006, 23:06

Originally Posted by bclee

Yes... it is possible.

You might consider reducing the lights to 2x150W if possible.

Just totally turn off your CO2. Stop the dosing of fertilisers. Do just one big water change. In the beginning, you might run into algae problem when the plants try to adapt. Do keep removing the algae as much as possible. After a few weeks or a month, things should stabilise. You might also want to replace the more demanding plants. Crypts are great for low-maintenance tanks.

After that, things should be in cruise control mode.

BC

thanks for the tips but too late.... got abit fed up when doing water change today... now the tank is FOWDW...fish only with driftwood.

might get some java ferns n nanas to put some green into the tank... crypts would be nice too

**ourmanflint** · 27th Feb 2006, 20:53

I really love keeping fish again after a 10 year break, I'm amazed at the advances in technology and aquatic knowledge recently. You guys blow me away with all your Gizmos and potions, I am really impressed, but I think I've always been inclined to set my tanks up as "naturally" as possible, so very low tech for me.
I do a 10% water change every week, mostly in an attempt to soften the hard London water, and that's about it!!

**StanChung** · 28th Feb 2006, 02:08

hi ourmanflint,

don't know if you can find it. in jakarta, they use some cheap kations to soften the water. tie a handful in some t shirt material and stick it into the canister filter...
if possible it's probably better to treat it in a storage tank/tub for WC. get a submersible pump to pump it into your tank. HTH

stan

**ourmanflint** · 28th Feb 2006, 02:39

Hi stan

sounds like just the trick.... if only I could find out what it actually is, I would prefer to use it as a pre-treatment I think??

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