Newbie Needs Help

[adman76]

Hi Guys!
I am about to embark into my first attempt at planted tanks.
However, I have a few questions that I hope you can help answer
1. Should I turn light and CO2 on immediately after planting the plants?
2. How long should the light be on for the first week, and subsequently.
3. How much water should I change and how often.
4. Can I introduce Yamato shrimp and SAE immediately, how long before I can introduce other fishes?
That's all for now.
Thanks so much. []

[David]

firstly welcome to the forum.

As this is your first tank, what you should do is to get your tank up and running with the necessary base fert and gravel in. let the water cycle for at least a week or so before planting.

When you are about to plant, ensure that you acheive at least 70% coverage and add in ottos and yamatoes. Do not attempt to fertilise your tank during the first 3 weeks, and fish can be added at the end of 4 weeks.

Lighting should be around 6hrs for the first week. Add one hour for each subsequent week till you reach 10hrs. water change is not critical during the running in period of your tank.

[adman76]

Hi David
Thanks for the reply.
Anyway, what do you mean by 70% covergae?
The other thing is, after running in, how much water should I change weekly?
Thanks!
[]

[tawauboy]

that means at least 70% of the surface area of your gravel should be planted with plants.
normally, 30-50% of the water is changed weekly.

[adman76]

Thanks so much guys!
You've been more than helpful![]

[David]

just to add on what tawauboy has mentioned.....after the run in period when you are adding fish in, you need to monitor the NO2 and NO3 very closely as you probably still be in the Nitrogen Cycle.....too much water change and you disrupt this cycle...too little and you fish my be in danger of NO poisioning.

[adman76]

What is a Nitrogen Cycle??
Even if we distrupt it, what harm would it do to the plants.

[loupgarou]

http://www.frii.com/~gbooth/AquaticConcepts/

don't taunt the learning newbie.

[geoffrey]

Nitrogen cycle is a process in which harmful NH3 and NO2 is converted to NO3. This process is carried out by bacteria in your filter. The time suggested is for sufficient bacteria to colonise within your filter. NH3 and NO2 will not harm your plants but it will wipe out all your shrimps and fishes if it is too high.