Gravel or no gravel?

[libra04ts]

Hi,

I'm setting up a new tank, 2 feet. I was thinking wht I should put gravel or not. The tank would look nice with gravel, but I was thinking it will be difficult to clean the tank. The debris would fall under the gravel.

Hope some expert can give some advice.
Which kind of gravel would be good if need to have?

Thanks for your help in advance.

[dcwk]

Do you intend to keep plants? If no, then stick to no-substrate for ease of maintenance.

[libra04ts]

Hi,

Yes, i intend to keep plants and I'm using an external filter, which is the hanging type by the side of the tank.

So, it's good to have the subtrate if have plants? In terms of maintainence, how can I do it if have subtrate?

What type of subtrate should I get? Big ones or small ones?
Thanks.

[larlee]

Hi,

Yes, i intend to keep plants and I'm using an external filter, which is the hanging type by the side of the tank.

So, it's good to have the subtrate if have plants? In terms of maintainence, how can I do it if have subtrate?

What type of subtrate should I get? Big ones or small ones?
Thanks.

Plants have roots and it needs to stick itself to the soil. Unless you are getting moss or java fern then no need. I just change water and hardly stir the soil unless all the fish and plants are out of the tank but some soil like ADA, GEX etc cannot wash, you will need corys, snails, shrimps etc to help clean up the debris or left over food. If you need to plant, then ADA 2 soil or GEX (have both fine and big grain), normal lapis sand can also but might need to put in fert stick for the roots.

[libra04ts]

Hi larlee,

Thanks for your info. Now I understand better.
For the plants, when I buy it, it will be in pots. So when I put into the soil, should the pot be removed? or just plant the whole thing into the soil?
Any type of plant that can be buried under soil but need to be above soil?

Thanks.

[FishSoup]

Most of the plants sold in pots have their roots or the lower portions of their stems enclosed in rock wool. You'll need to remove the pots and this rock wool before planting them in the substrate.

As a general rule of thumb, the portion of the plants that are encased with the rockwool sould be planted in the gravel. Total burying of the stalks in the soil should not be done..

[dcwk]

Lapis sand requires base fertilizer. ADA or GEX are nutrients rich soil, hence no need to add base fertlizer. Lapis sand option is cheaper but replanting will be more messy as the base fertilizer may be stirred up, fouling the water.

For both options, create a substrate of at least 2 inch thick for plants to root in.

[libra04ts]

Hi All,

Thanks for your advice and info. I had setup my tank with GEX soil. Went to Clementi 328 to get the stuff. It's up and running, I will try to take some photos and post it here. Really thanks for all your help.

[geezer333]

Wish you all the best for your tank as I have also just started not long ago. Cheers

[larlee]

Hi larlee,

Thanks for your info. Now I understand better.
For the plants, when I buy it, it will be in pots. So when I put into the soil, should the pot be removed? or just plant the whole thing into the soil?
Any type of plant that can be buried under soil but need to be above soil?

Thanks.

my advice is to remove the wool that comes with the plant.
my friend took it for granted when he bought new plants, he just drop the whole pot in thinking that since it has been soaked in the LFS it should be fine. he will do it the next day. the next day, all his CRS died! about 50pcs of them!

[libra04ts]

Hi All,

This is my tank setup, do give me some comments.
Thanks.

[torque6]

The arrangement looks abit artificial but the tank is densely planted. This will help with cycling and algae issues.

[libra04ts]

Hi,

How do I make the tank not so artificial? How can I place the plants?
Any suggestions? hee... thanks.

[Quixotic]

Plants in the centre (which I think is Selaginella) and on the right aren't aquatic, i.e. they will rot in the long term. So it will be advisable to replace them with true aquatic plants.

[libra04ts]

Hi,

What are some of the aquatic plants? hee... I'm new, so not sure what are the plants.
How do i know if the plants are aquatic?

Thanks.

[torque6]

Qui already spotted several non-aquatic plants for you, however im puzzled where you got them in the first place.

[libra04ts]

Hi,

I got the plants at clementi C328.

Where can I get info on aquatic plants?

Thanks.

[dcwk]

Here's one URL on plants.

http://www.tropica.com/plant_print.asp

[Quixotic]

C328 does sell true aquatic plants. The key is to know what are the common aquatic plants and these can only be gained through reading, reading and more reading (although the not so common or new plants may be problematic).

The Tropica website is a good starting point, and so are the threads in the Plant Talk or Aquascaping sections. Look through the tank setups, read up on the type of plants being used and google for more information/pictures if need to.

[torque6]

Yes, tropica is a good reference site. However reading and then trying to identify them would be difficult. Remember those plants which you have interest in, grab a couple of pics and head down to c328, Mrs toh have a small book which you can use to order plants or she can help you with those you have on hand on the spot.