Reply With QuoteGrass like plants as foreground in your setup.... Only E.tenellus comes to mind. Only problem is that it won't spread fast in your low-tech setup.
Personally, I would go for a lawn of common crypts or nana "petite".
Hi guys,
I'm intending to do up a 4' tank as a simple planted tank. I have no experience at all and wish to go low-light and no CO2.
I have a huge piece of mangrove root type of driftwood which takes up most of the tank. I intend to tie moss (probably java) and nana onto it. I am also considering doing a lawn but have no idea what sort of short grass-like plant would do well in a low-light no CO2 tank.
As for fauna, the tank probably will be filled with the typical small fish like tetras, etc.
Pointers welcomed, pls.
Grass like plants as foreground in your setup.... Only E.tenellus comes to mind. Only problem is that it won't spread fast in your low-tech setup.
Personally, I would go for a lawn of common crypts or nana "petite".
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Thks Weirong for your advice.Originally Posted by Weirong
I was thinking e.tenellus as the most feasible as well to get the grass-lawn effect. I don't think I can get that effect with the nanas.
For a low-tech tank, I shouldn't be using base fert right? Do I need any specific sort of substrate for the e.tenellus or ordinary riversand or whatever would work fine?
Thks again!
ya..but nana petite abit on the exp. side? got my for $10 each at Colourful aquarium.
but i do admit, they look nice!
E.tenellus will do but it won't spread too fast in your case. Plant more heavily in the beginning.
And yes, you still might want to add a little base ferts for a low-tech tank. Otherwise use base sticks like Roots Mosters, if you don't want to add base ferts.
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Thks again!
I think I'll go with the base sticks.
For substrate, should I use something like aquasoil or can I use black quartz sand?
If my 4' is done up with e. tenellus and java moss, do I need to dose with ferts regularly?
Sorry for all the qns. :/
I beleive you will do fine with Black quartz sand!
Good luck with your new tank!
These are not very demanding plants, so normal sand and base sticks will do fine. Dosing is always necessary even in a low tech tank! Just cut down on it.Thks again!
I think I'll go with the base sticks.
For substrate, should I use something like aquasoil or can I use black quartz sand?
If my 4' is done up with e. tenellus and java moss, do I need to dose with ferts regularly?
Sorry for all the qns. :/
Click here to help me make my Fish Room Project a reality!
Hi all again,
For my 4' set-up with moss and e tenellus. how much light shd i have?
What is the your tank dimensions?
Here are some suggestions:
Substrate - A 2-3cm layer of potting soil with 5-8cm of gravel should do.
Lights - anything between 1.5-2.5 wpg should work.
Fertisation - no need for much fertilisation. Probably just need to fertilise as and when you observe some deficiency. Most probably you just need a little KNO3 once in a while and nothing else.
Water change - probably weekly water change in the beginning. Once things settle, you might not need a water change for a few months.
Plants - most plants, less some very demanding ones, will still grow in non-CO2 tank. Foreground plants like hairgrass, E. tenellus will not have problem in a non-CO2 tank. My favorites for a non-CO2 tank are crypts, H. corymbosa "compact", Anubias and Java ferns.
Filtration - moderate filtration would suffice. Try not to have too much turbulance on the surface. A mild surface movement is ok though.
Temperature - try to keep below 28°C
BC
Hi bclee,
Thanks for your detailed advice!
Dimensions: Tank is a 4 x 1.5 x 1.5 (std size) tank.
Substrate: I've already filled it with about 2cm of riversand and dumped in one huge 3' driftwood which I still waiting to completely sink. No base fert.
Lights: I gotta check my light which is a single 2.5' (?) tube of unknown wattage. Heh.
Filtration: I think it's quite strong flow near surface coz using a Eheim cannister. Drat.
Temperature: Got no thermometer leh. What's avg water temp like? My light looks rather low wattage.
Plants: Hey, Weirong also suggested crypts for foreground. Got any particular common species I can search for? It'd be great also if anyone has available pix of a crypt-lawn.
Hi guys, need help again.
Stupid qn #1 - Gallon is UK or US gallon?
For my 4' tank (243l = ~64 US gal), would 2 x 55W lights be sufficient? 55W is the standard sort of light right?
Lastly, for my low-tech tank with moss, FL instead of PL since FL is cooler?
Thks for any advice.
Usually, when we do calculation for lighting, we will take US gallon!
2x55W will give you 110W, divide that by 64 gallon, you will 1.7wpg!
I think your moss will do fine, but no idea on your E.tenellus!
Maybe other bros can help you on this!
Ok thanks.
E. tenellus should be ok under that light. They probably will grow slower and smaller will thin leaves.
BC
Finally done up my 1st planted tank - thanks to kenneth84 for the tenellus and knightx for the taiwan moss.
Basic 4' low tech set up. Only have 1 3' FL light inside of unknown wattage. Will be upgrading the lights to get about 110W or so.
Pointers welcomed!
Last edited by benny; 29th Jan 2006 at 00:51. Reason: Merge posts
I've more leaves in my tank!
I think u have error uploading your pic.
You can upload into AQ photo gallery and link it here
Quite eager to see your tank.
Hope this from terrence helps.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=17940
I've got OF's rootmonsters in the substrate and am only dosing Tetra's Florapride.
For my set-up, should I follow the dosing instructions on the bottle, i.e. 5ml per 20l every 4 wks? That means 60-70ml per dose!
I suggest you stop the fertisation. For non-CO2 tank, you barely need to fertise, especially traces.
BC
wow, nice piece of wood there
tink will look very nice when the moss set in
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