Planted tank help

[Luukosian]

I've always used hagen test kits cause they're cheap and accurate enough for freshwater tank but I'd recommend getting at least wide range ph, GH, and nitrate...thats what I started out with when I started my first 10 gal planted....then you can build from there and maybe get a CO2 drop checker and other things. It really depends on your water quality...if your tap water has a decent GH and moderate nitrate/phosphate level you shouldn't really need to waste too much money on testing supplies unless something is wrong. You'll find out what works, just takes a little time and experience....great part about a planted tank is that the plants take up alot of the nutrients that cause problems in other types of tanks...thats why we have refugiums in our reef tanks.

Having a high light planted tank will end up with more trial/error than a low light tank so you might want to take that into consideration.

[CATALYST]

What would you consider high light? The new light I got is a T8 8000k.
I haven't measured my tap water for nitrate/phosphate (what's GH?)...but the TDS meter usually reads 500. I use the RO for the salt tank and tap water with prime for the fresh.

[Luukosian]

Usually a high light tank is considered like 3-4 watts per gallon....depending on how big it is. Smaller tanks generally need more light than a larger tank(using the watt/gallon rule) but there are so many differant fixture/bulb combinations that this rule is more of a guidline than a set rule. I run 4 bulbs over most of my planted tanks(the long flourescents) but I have a 5 gal that I just hung like a 65 watt flourescent pendant a foot and a half above the tank w/ a chain and it grows stuff like mad and never overheats the tank.

tap water w/ prime is what I use for my FW...GH is general hardness and is kind of like a PH buffer that prevents your PH from crashing....You really only need to test it like once a season to make sure your tap hasn't changed much so if your lfs can test it for you might save some money. As long as its 3+ I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you plan on CO2...its more important to keep PH stable than at any specific level

[forddna]

I vote for:

Get some low light plants. Get a slightly overrated filter. (the one on my 54g is rated for 75-125g) Try to pick one with adjustable output flow.

How many watts is the fixture? That's a good color temp for plants, by the way.

Also, I change about 30% once a month in my planted tank. I also tear apart and thoroughly clean my canister filter once a month. I replace the filter pads at that time, too. (other parts are just cleaned and reused)

www.plantedtank.net/forum. Great place for planted tank info.

[CATALYST]

I got an aquaclear 30 for the filter and just have sponges in it...no carbon. I have the flow turned up. Where should it be?
I looked at the bulb and it says 15w on it.
I posted a pic of the tank in a different thread. I got java fern and anubias. I just tonight got some sort of moss for the rock...its really fine, as in skinny, kinda like green filter floss looking. I planted the java in the soil which I read is not right. What will it do?

[forddna]

The rhizome needs to be above the soil. You'll have to anchor it to something. Same for the anubias. The flow should be anywhere that keeps the water oxygenated but not uprooting your plants or making long leaf plants lay over. I keep mine to where I can just barely see a bit of movement on some of the plants.

[CATALYST]

I put the filter on the left side of the tank and have it turned up. I put most of the plants to the right. I saw they had some small flat rocks at the store. Would those be okay for the fern and anubia? What are some good low light plants that go in the soil. I like those small spiky ones you have in the front. Can I do those with my light?

[forddna]

It's not my tank, but I think the plants you're talking about are E. Tenellus. You have to trim them, which wouldn't be much trouble in a 10g tank.

Try this link. You can tell it to find low light plants for you. You'll see a bunch of Crypt species. Those are great, easy plants! Easy to find and buy, too.

Plant Finder - Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants

[CATALYST]

Wow there's some neat looking ones in there. Thanks. I'll see which ones my LFS has.