Plants Set-up Advice Needed

[Aria]

Hi! I have a few questions I hope the experts can help me with. I have just been given a fish tank with some fish and I would like to set it up properly with plants.

Here are the specifics:
Tank size: L2xW1xH1.5 feet
Filter: Power Head Overhead
Light: Resun R-15W
Fish: ~10 Neon Tetras, ~60-70 Guppies

Questions:
1. What kinds of plants should I get? (I have some pregnant guppies and I need plants for the newborns to hide when they give birth)
2. What kind of fertiliser do I need? (I am hoping that the fish droppings will be sufficient; perhaps some trace elements?)
3. Do I need to introduce CO2? (I am concerned that it will kill the fish)
4. Do I need gravel and if so what type and how much?
5. Is the lighting sufficient for plants?

Although I have had fish before I am new to planting a tank (short of buying plants and have them die on me some weeks later) and would appreciate any kind of advice. Thanks in advance!

[beetlejuice403]

Hi Aria, am no expert here but just to share my experiences/learning - Experts do help to point out if I'm wrong in any part...

Hi! I have a few questions I hope the experts can help me with. I have just been given a fish tank with some fish and I would like to set it up properly with plants.

Here are the specifics:
Tank size: L2xW1xH1.5 feet
Filter: Power Head Overhead
Light: Resun R-15W
Fish: ~10 Neon Tetras, ~60-70 Guppies

Questions:
1. What kinds of plants should I get? (I have some pregnant guppies and I need plants for the newborns to hide when they give birth)
Maybe you'd like to consider dense moss floor so that the guppy fries can hide... Or some of those floaters with dense & bushy roots also serve similar purposes based on my own experiences...
2. What kind of fertiliser do I need? (I am hoping that the fish droppings will be sufficient; perhaps some trace elements?)
If the droppings from the fish are enough to serve as ferts for the plants, then no need for other ferts to be bought (Self-sufficient cycle). However, IMO, some elements may not be present (enough) in fish droppings which plants need. I'm using Seachem's Flourish (general basic fert) & find it so far so good... [of course there are many other brands in the market...]
3. Do I need to introduce CO2? (I am concerned that it will kill the fish)
Actually all plants need CO2 to photosynthesize but it depends on the kind of plants you have/get as some plants don't need a lot of CO2 to grow. If you are introducing CO2, you'll need to work out the optimal "bps", if not it may lead to CO2 poisoning for the faunas...
4. Do I need gravel and if so what type and how much?
Depends on what type of scape you have in mind & the plants you have/get. Many types & brands are avail (lapis sand, soil etc...). How much depends on your tank size; whether you are doing any scape work etc...
5. Is the lighting sufficient for plants?
IMO, maybe it might be better to 'upgrade' your lightset (if you are intending to have many of those light-hungry plants)...

Although I have had fish before I am new to planting a tank (short of buying plants and have them die on me some weeks later) and would appreciate any kind of advice. Thanks in advance!

Hope the above helps...

[flybaits]

u can use hornworts ,cabombas n some mosses(java moss etc) for a start. hornworts n cabombas can jus b left floating n still survive. also good for the fries.

ever had endlers n guppies breeding wildly with jus cabombas n minimum lites past many years back. hehehee

cheers

[Aria]

Thanks beetlejuice403 for your detailed advice

Questions:
1. What kinds of plants should I get? (I have some pregnant guppies and I need plants for the newborns to hide when they give birth)
Maybe you'd like to consider dense moss floor so that the guppy fries can hide... Or some of those floaters with dense & bushy roots also serve similar purposes based on my own experiences...
I have a couple of Arubias(?) that came with the tank but yes I think adding the moss would be great for the fries, in addition to absorbing the nitrite/nitrate from all the fish!
2. What kind of fertiliser do I need? (I am hoping that the fish droppings will be sufficient; perhaps some trace elements?)
If the droppings from the fish are enough to serve as ferts for the plants, then no need for other ferts to be bought (Self-sufficient cycle). However, IMO, some elements may not be present (enough) in fish droppings which plants need. I'm using Seachem's Flourish (general basic fert) & find it so far so good... [of course there are many other brands in the market...]
Thanks I'll look for it. With so many fish I've been changing 1/10 the water a day with conditioned tap water while thinking I'm removing nutrients from the plants (especially since I'm getting more). Do I have to test the water regularly to ensure I'm striking a balance?
3. Do I need to introduce CO2? (I am concerned that it will kill the fish)
Actually all plants need CO2 to photosynthesize but it depends on the kind of plants you have/get as some plants don't need a lot of CO2 to grow. If you are introducing CO2, you'll need to work out the optimal "bps", if not it may lead to CO2 poisoning for the faunas...
OMG I think I'm way over my head on this one!
4. Do I need gravel and if so what type and how much?
Depends on what type of scape you have in mind & the plants you have/get. Many types & brands are avail (lapis sand, soil etc...). How much depends on your tank size; whether you are doing any scape work etc...
Since I'm starting out nothing fancy, just a sustainable environment where the plants thrive and my fish are happy. I think I'll start with lapis sand.. just thinking that soil may release too much nutrients especially in view of so many fish. Or.. am I concerned about the wrong thing?
5. Is the lighting sufficient for plants?
IMO, maybe it might be better to 'upgrade' your lightset (if you are intending to have many of those light-hungry plants)...
I'm considering having low light plants since I'm starting out. What would you recommend for them to thrive?

Thanks in advance for your advice. Cheers!

[Aria]

u can use hornworts ,cabombas n some mosses(java moss etc) for a start. hornworts n cabombas can jus b left floating n still survive. also good for the fries.
Thanks Flybaits for your suggestions! I'll look them up. Cheers!

[neverwalkalone]

Hi. I'm a newbie, so just wondering if this is true - last time I kept Neon tetras and guppies together, the guppies all died! Understand both fishes need different pH levels...

[newtank]

Hi! I have a few questions I hope the experts can help me with. I have just been given a fish tank with some fish and I would like to set it up properly with plants.

Here are the specifics:
Tank size: L2xW1xH1.5 feet
Filter: Power Head Overhead
Light: Resun R-15W
Fish: ~10 Neon Tetras, ~60-70 Guppies

Questions:
1. What kinds of plants should I get? (I have some pregnant guppies and I need plants for the newborns to hide when they give birth)
2. What kind of fertiliser do I need? (I am hoping that the fish droppings will be sufficient; perhaps some trace elements?)
3. Do I need to introduce CO2? (I am concerned that it will kill the fish)
4. Do I need gravel and if so what type and how much?
5. Is the lighting sufficient for plants?

Although I have had fish before I am new to planting a tank (short of buying plants and have them die on me some weeks later) and would appreciate any kind of advice. Thanks in advance!

I think first and foremost, you have to decide do you want a planted tank with Fish or fish tank with plants, in another words, do you want to focus on plants or focus on fish.? although we keep hearing and reading that a well planted tank will be most condusive for fishes, sometimes you have to give up one of the two. How much lights you want depends on the types of plants you want to keep (assuming you want them to grow to their full potential, because most plants will adapt to the amount of lights given to them, only they will grow a bit differently. Some plants that requires high light might even die on you).

If you do not wnat any ferts or minimum ferts , then the recoomended ones will be nana, ferns and moss, you dont even need substrate for these plants, and low lights should be enough

[beetlejuice403]

Hi Aria,

if you are still looking for any hornworts for your tank, I do have a bunch of them available for you [FOC], I also have quite a lot of overgrown floating plants (duckweeds, Salvinias etc), Stargrass... You may have them (@ a token sum or some fish feed preferred but not a must) but you will need to collect them personally from my house @ Punggol Central though...

Do let me know if you do need these plants... Cheers!!

u can use hornworts ,cabombas n some mosses(java moss etc) for a start. hornworts n cabombas can jus b left floating n still survive. also good for the fries.
Thanks Flybaits for your suggestions! I'll look them up. Cheers!

[Aria]

I think first and foremost, you have to decide do you want a planted tank with Fish or fish tank with plants, in another words, do you want to focus on plants or focus on fish.? although we keep hearing and reading that a well planted tank will be most condusive for fishes, sometimes you have to give up one of the two. How much lights you want depends on the types of plants you want to keep (assuming you want them to grow to their full potential, because most plants will adapt to the amount of lights given to them, only they will grow a bit differently. Some plants that requires high light might even die on you).

If you do not wnat any ferts or minimum ferts , then the recoomended ones will be nana, ferns and moss, you dont even need substrate for these plants, and low lights should be enough

Thanks for your reply newtank

I have since given away the fishes except for 6 guppies and bought some ghost shrimp (about that later).

My tank came with nana and Windelov java fern (didn't know their names then). The nana is growing well. The Windelov java fern on the other hand came with brown blotches and its been going downhill ever since. I assumed that it does not do well in low light and wrote it off until I read that it is actually a low light plant. So that's a mystery . I'm planning to give the regular java fern a try.

My first purchase was hornwort (I learned the name later) from Plaza Sing (I didn't know of any lfs then and was desperate) because it looked like it would provide a good place for fries to hide. Its growing like weed and now I have 3 bunches. 2 guppies gave birth a couple of days ago and it worked! (Except that those predacious ghost shrimp had a field day too! ). Only thing about hornwort though is that it looks urgly just tied to a weight.

I think java moss would be a far more attractive alternative but I have yet to come across any. I have since bought some Taiwan moss (from lfs) and US Fissiden (from someone on the forum) to try which I have tied to wood and stone.

I've been toying with the idea of substrate but I like your idea of not having any substrate at all! That is unless I feel like having a lawn in which case I would consider setting a separate shrimp tank (also to get my shrimp paws off my fries!).

Btw I'm planning on getting some Seachem Flourish does it mean there are more plants I could consider? Thanks

[Aria]

Hi Aria,

if you are still looking for any hornworts for your tank, I do have a bunch of them available for you [FOC], I also have quite a lot of overgrown floating plants (duckweeds, Salvinias etc), Stargrass... You may have them (@ a token sum or some fish feed preferred but not a must) but you will need to collect them personally from my house @ Punggol Central though...

Do let me know if you do need these plants... Cheers!!

Hi beetlejuice403

Thanks for your generous offer!

Hornwort was my first purchase and now I've got heaps of them (relatively ). I've got some duckweed and Savinias thrown in when I bought the US Fissiden. What other floaties have you got? I'm curious about Stargrass, would they grow in low light?

Thanks

[flybaits]

i have had stargrass leaves turning dark in colour due to lack of light( too low). works fine with my medium 40watt light 2 ft shrimp tank though. after few months its giving me the wild tank look...... takes a week or so to stabilise in my potting soil n mixed gravel but once it takes off...... nice...

cheers!

[beetlejuice403]

Yup Aria, as flybaits mentioned, it may take a while for the Stargrass to adjust itself in new tank - hence very normal to see melted (bluish) leaves initially... But if conditions are right, new green leaves will sprout soon... If lighting is sufficient, will be rewarded with a nice 'stary' look of green leaves growing upwards in the water column...

Let me know if you are keen to give it a shot in your tank...

[Aria]

Hi. I'm a newbie, so just wondering if this is true - last time I kept Neon tetras and guppies together, the guppies all died! Understand both fishes need different pH levels...

I have never had problems keeping both species together. IMHO if you keep both close to neutral pH (7) which is what you get from tap water in Singapore it is fine for both. While Neon Tetras and wild guppies can tolerate acidic environment (up to pH 5), bred guppies cannot survive in such low pH. Hope this helps. Cheers

[Aria]

Yup Aria, as flybaits mentioned, it may take a while for the Stargrass to adjust itself in new tank - hence very normal to see melted (bluish) leaves initially... But if conditions are right, new green leaves will sprout soon... If lighting is sufficient, will be rewarded with a nice 'stary' look of green leaves growing upwards in the water column...

Let me know if you are keen to give it a shot in your tank...

Yup I would love to give Stargrass a go. Thanks beetlejuice403. I could come down today to pick it up if it suits. I don't have enough posts to pm. Kindly email me the time and your contact details via [email protected]

Thanks and Cheers!

[Aria]

i have had stargrass leaves turning dark in colour due to lack of light( too low). works fine with my medium 40watt light 2 ft shrimp tank though. after few months its giving me the wild tank look...... takes a week or so to stabilise in my potting soil n mixed gravel but once it takes off...... nice...

cheers!

I am intending to upgrade my humble 15W light to 40-50W for my 2ft. I think it will make all my plants grow better. Is yours a compact florescent? As for substrate I have none but if I'm giving stargrass a go it would make it neccessary. I'm leaning towards Seachem's Onynx Sand hope I can find it at the lfs

Thanks and cheers

[beetlejuice403]

Hi Aria, sent you an email.

Regards.

Yup I would love to give Stargrass a go. Thanks beetlejuice403. I could come down today to pick it up if it suits. I don't have enough posts to pm. Kindly email me the time and your contact details via [email protected]

Thanks and Cheers!

[flybaits]

I am intending to upgrade my humble 15W light to 40-50W for my 2ft. I think it will make all my plants grow better. Is yours a compact florescent? As for substrate I have none but if I'm giving stargrass a go it would make it neccessary. I'm leaning towards Seachem's Onynx Sand hope I can find it at the lfs

Thanks and cheers

nope Aria, mine are both fluorescent. 2x20watt n a bit of sunlight (next to window). thinking of diy-ing to pll with my spare 2ft casings.

as i noe stargrass do develop roots floating but don't know how long it can 'tahan' in such manner though( have some in my other tanks floating ).
anyway, do have some stargrass,duckweeds, water sprites(plantlets) spare if you want to give a go. easy plants with medium to fast growth, depending on tank condition.

cheers!!!

[newtank]

Thanks for your reply newtank

I have since given away the fishes except for 6 guppies and bought some ghost shrimp (about that later).

My tank came with nana and Windelov java fern (didn't know their names then). The nana is growing well. The Windelov java fern on the other hand came with brown blotches and its been going downhill ever since. I assumed that it does not do well in low light and wrote it off until I read that it is actually a low light plant. So that's a mystery . I'm planning to give the regular java fern a try.

My first purchase was hornwort (I learned the name later) from Plaza Sing (I didn't know of any lfs then and was desperate) because it looked like it would provide a good place for fries to hide. Its growing like weed and now I have 3 bunches. 2 guppies gave birth a couple of days ago and it worked! (Except that those predacious ghost shrimp had a field day too! ). Only thing about hornwort though is that it looks urgly just tied to a weight.

I think java moss would be a far more attractive alternative but I have yet to come across any. I have since bought some Taiwan moss (from lfs) and US Fissiden (from someone on the forum) to try which I have tied to wood and stone.

I've been toying with the idea of substrate but I like your idea of not having any substrate at all! That is unless I feel like having a lawn in which case I would consider setting a separate shrimp tank (also to get my shrimp paws off my fries!).

Btw I'm planning on getting some Seachem Flourish does it mean there are more plants I could consider? Thanks

If you are going for moss, ferns and nana, then I think you could do away with nutrients, but if you cannot resist, then you need more then just Flourish, which contain mainly trace elements, you need to dose NPK to balance out. For a start , I would suggest going for an all in one nutrient, like Tetra's plantamin, or Sera's Florena, or Lushgro's Aqua. My advise is try to stay away from Seachem's Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphates unless you know exactly what you are doing.

However, if you do decided to go with nutrients, then you have to dose Co2 inorder for the plants to use the nutrients

[newtank]

Thanks for your reply newtank

I have since given away the fishes except for 6 guppies and bought some ghost shrimp (about that later).

My tank came with nana and Windelov java fern (didn't know their names then). The nana is growing well. The Windelov java fern on the other hand came with brown blotches and its been going downhill ever since. I assumed that it does not do well in low light and wrote it off until I read that it is actually a low light plant. So that's a mystery . I'm planning to give the regular java fern a try.

My first purchase was hornwort (I learned the name later) from Plaza Sing (I didn't know of any lfs then and was desperate) because it looked like it would provide a good place for fries to hide. Its growing like weed and now I have 3 bunches. 2 guppies gave birth a couple of days ago and it worked! (Except that those predacious ghost shrimp had a field day too! ). Only thing about hornwort though is that it looks urgly just tied to a weight.

I think java moss would be a far more attractive alternative but I have yet to come across any. I have since bought some Taiwan moss (from lfs) and US Fissiden (from someone on the forum) to try which I have tied to wood and stone.

I've been toying with the idea of substrate but I like your idea of not having any substrate at all! That is unless I feel like having a lawn in which case I would consider setting a separate shrimp tank (also to get my shrimp paws off my fries!).

Btw I'm planning on getting some Seachem Flourish does it mean there are more plants I could consider? Thanks

If you are going for moss, ferns and nana, then I think you could do away with nutrients, but if you cannot resist, then you need more then just Flourish, which contain mainly trace elements, you need to dose NPK to balance out. For a start , I would suggest going for an all in one nutrient, like Tetra's plantamin, or Sera's Florena, or Lushgro's Aqua. My advise is try to stay away from Seachem's Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphates unless you know exactly what you are doing.

However, if you do decided to go with nutrients, then you have to dose Co2 inorder for the plants to use the nutrients

[Aria]

nope Aria, mine are both fluorescent. 2x20watt n a bit of sunlight (next to window). thinking of diy-ing to pll with my spare 2ft casings.

as i noe stargrass do develop roots floating but don't know how long it can 'tahan' in such manner though( have some in my other tanks floating ).
anyway, do have some stargrass,duckweeds, water sprites(plantlets) spare if you want to give a go. easy plants with medium to fast growth, depending on tank condition.

cheers!!!

Good luck with the DIYing let me know how it goes. Saw a 55W PL light set today but the lamp not nice so I'm on the hunt for a nice lamp (or 2 since I just bought another 2 ft tank ).

I had some stalks of Hornwort drifting around (for the fries) and they started developing lateral roots. I figured although they appear fine they're struggling to anchor themselves so I tied them down today.

Hey I would love to give water sprites a go thanks for the offer Can kindly email me your contact details to [email protected]? Thanks heaps!