My first planted tank. Any advice is most welcomed!

[Dscyth]

Hi everyone, this is my first try at doing up a planted tank. Hoping for it to become a shrimp tank eventually.
CIMG1983.JPG


Tank:
20x20x25
Hang on filter
Aquazonic LED light
Not too sure what soil, just some fert soil recommended by the uncle.

Flora:
HC
Rotala rotundifolia Green
Java Moss
Other plant not too sure of the name

Fauna:
2 Mollies

Deco:
ADA Kurokinryu Stones


Its been 1 week, my HC seemed to be dying. Thats why I installed a diy CO2 on the top right. The rest of the plants don't seem to be growing too well.
Any advice?

[stormhawk]

Hello Dscyth,

I think that's too many things in one tank. Are you using that cut off part of a bottle as the CO2 injection system? If yes, don't. Use a mini flipper instead if you are going to use DIY CO2. In such a small tank any fluctuations can be lethal for your fish and sometimes your plant. It is normal for some plants to melt away if the tank is new, especially with fresh tap water. Seems to me the lights might be insufficient or your image is a little dark. By the way, mollies can and will rip out your plants to eat.

[Dscyth]

Thanks for the advice stormhawk!
I will get an atomiser for the co2 soon, meanwhile its helping the plants grow pretty well with the bottle top!

Half my HC have melted away, not too sure if its cos they can't root properly in the substrate.

What fish should I get in place of the mollies?
Also my water temperature is hitting the 30s...will this affect the tank?

[Starlett]

30s quite high. Can add fan to bring down to 27-28.

[Starlett]

Oh and also too high temps plus lights, yr mosses may turn brown.

[stormhawk]

If you are going to use an atomiser for the CO2, the DIY solution will not be able to produce the pressure needed for the atomiser to work properly. I would still advise you to go with a mini flipper, so it takes awhile for the CO2 bubble to slowly dissolve in the water before it escapes out of the flipper. In such a constrained space with a 20 x 20 x 25 cm tank, which is even smaller than a 1 ft cube, it's difficult to do a lot of things. If your HC is melting away, replace with a less fragile plant, perhaps E. tenellus or some easy foreground creeping plant. You'll definitely need a fan for this tank, and it's your luck the tank is small, so a small cooling fan is enough.

[Navanod]

HC does not do well in a small low tech setup. They grow better with medium/high light, CO2 injection, regular fertilizers and cold water. In my opinion, HC is a lot of work. Try to use easier plants like APP or ferns