No, try not to add any chemical unless you cannot help it.1a) Is it necessary to de-chlorinate the water?
A good practice for any new tank is to fill up the tank fully with water after laying the base (fert & gravel) and let it soak for about 5 days. This will "season" the base, preventing any nutrient spike that is common in new tank. Then, drain them completely. Fill the water again but half full to do planting, fill up after planting. You are ready for good start.
Yes. Change 35% water once a week for the first month. Once every fortnightly after that. When the tank is seasoned (after 6~12 months) and if you are able to control the water condition, once a month is enough.2a) Is it necessary to do water change?
?2b) Is it good to add artificial bacterial like Serra's NitriVec
Yes but not a must. You can always let the tank mature by itself.
Yes but half dose for the first two weeks as the plants are still adapting to the new environment. Or do full dose after the plant started to bring several new leafs.2c) Is it necessary to add trace elements at this point of time?
Base fert is a long term root fert. It has several functions and the objective is to promote healthy root growth.
Yes, it absorb nutrients, good and bad. However, you gain more because you can always top up good/desired nutrients back to the water. Having said that, it is not a must to have it if you started the tank correctly.2d) Read that Amano used active carbon during the first week or so. But what is the function of that?
Both.3) Which is more important with regards to lighting? Watt per litre or kelvin?
?4) I've been experiencing plants rotting by the end of the first week or so. Why is that so? Not enough light or fertilizer? Or has it got to do with the water condition? Any ways to rectify this
They may be sensitive plants who do not like new water. Try again when the water is seasoned. Change water in less amount, say 25%.
Yes. They can be removed after about 2 months or when other plants which you wanted have started to grow. When removing the plants, do it slow, hold the stem just above the gravel, pull it very slowly - you will see the gravel/partly fert being moved up. There are 2 things you can do if you are worried:5) It is good to start the tank with some fast growing plants to absorb excess nutrients. So when should these plants be removed?
- when planting, don't plant the fast growers too deep
- after removing the plants, vacuum that portion of gravel
It helps.6) Is it good to 'partition' the substrate with pieces of plastic so that plants, especially foreground/runners, will not over run each other (as done by some aquariums)?
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