first time setting up planted tank :) need advice :)

[hmvirus]

Hi guys, i just set up this planted tank few hours ago.....
can give me some advice how to make it more beautiful?
and what must i take note when maintaining a planted tank?
must buy those $100++ ph tester ?
if u can, pls help me ID all plants
HAUT AH! HOPE MY FIRST EVER TANK CAN LAST LONG!

[equidorz]

Hi there,

First of all congrats to your first planted tank, very nicely done for a start. I do notice that you are using pebbles as the base? Pebbles are normally not recommended for planting as the plants do not root well. Subtrate like Ada/Gex are more recommended for planted tanks. Most Aqua-scapers aims to achieve algae free tanks, so to maintain a planted tank, 1) regular water changes in small amount (10-30%) weekly is recommended but its really up to individual. 2) Try not to overfeed your livestock if you have any 3) Have good water flow in your tank, having say that i noticed that you have an internal filter in your tank? if budget is not a constraint then you can try investing in an external canister (Brands like eheim are the more reliable brands but of course doesn't come cheap as well)

Hope my little comments will benefit you in your planted journey!

Cheers

[Yulbrainer]

From the picture, i am not sure this is your first tank
At least yo have done some home works

You can share more about your tank:
What is the substrate, equipments, fert, etc.

[hmvirus]

Thanks for ur advice!
this is only a small 5 gallon tank haha!
i am planning to put abt 5-7 cardinal tetra!
any other suggestions?

[rcw]

congrats on your first planted,
Try to get some snails,otto or hardy shrimps to make it more lively.
I feel that the driftwood is a liitle too big. Very eye catching.

Keep posting!

[hmvirus]

okay hi everyone...
i am using ocean free super fish guard, co2 tablets and giovanni's trace+ plant nuitrition
my soil is some advance plant soil from japan...
can shrimp live with tetra?
thinking of cherry shrimp with cardinal tetra....
i saw this thread i was was abit confused
i also see lots of ppl having problem with algae.... how can i prevent algae?
thks in advance

[chumzhujun]

Do you use co2?

[hmvirus]

Do you use co2?

co2 tablets

[Yulbrainer]

can shrimp live with tetra?
how can i prevent algae?

The only recommendation fish for shrimp tank is otto. Rule of thumbs is if the shrimp can fit into the fish mouth, it will be eaten.
IMHO: your tank can host the shrimp and tetra with little issue because a lot of hiding spot for the shrimp.

To prevent algae: you need to control the nutrient in your tank (easier to say than done , let me know if you have master it because i only can control the growth of my algae with snail and ottos )

[hmvirus]

Ok thx for advice ppl.... Do u noe what must I test for? Eg. Ph, Kh....

[chris168]

Good effort tying the moss on the driftwood... Nice set up too.

[hmvirus]

oh yea.... when can i put in shrimps and fish? its abt day 3 today.....

[Yulbrainer]

Wait until 2-3 weeks bro, you can read up about nitrogen cycle to understand the whole process of cycling new tank.

[hmvirus]

Hi this is an update on my tank... getting some fish next week

http://youtu.be/SmH4XiNO_JE

[Yulbrainer]

Ok thx for advice ppl.... Do u noe what must I test for? Eg. Ph, Kh....

For tank to have nitrogen full cycle, you have to test the no2 and no3.
It will spike around 10th-14th day then slowly drop to 0.

After that, depends on what u want in your tank, i.e. Crs need ph around 5.5-6.5 etc.

[Fishy Business]

Nice for a starter!
Just need to change substrate would do good.

[merciwash]

The set up should be fine except a few of the plant are low temperature plants so you may need to keep the water temperature low. Around 25 degree should be fine except the 3 plant on the left may need a lower temperature around 23 degree.
But thr good thing is most of them can survive without co2.