my new 20g planted tank - Page 3

yungreefer2410 · 01-09-2009, 05:05 PM

it says to replace every 2 months. so i drained the tank rinse the florite. you should of seen all the black stuff that came out!! always rinse it is wqhat i learned. i am going to get some plants today or tomorrow. then 3 tetras in like 4weeks. 3 more 2weeks later

yungreefer2410 · 01-09-2009, 08:18 PM

went to petsmart and got one red ludgia (sp?) and 2 java ferns. the red ludgia turned out to be six plants attachted together so i was able to spread them out. water is much clearer now after my cleaning of the rocks

Luukosian · 01-09-2009, 10:39 PM

Yeah rinsing is definetly the way to go, as far as the plants the java fern is a plant that has rhizoids so instead of planting it in the substrate it needs to be attached to a rock or peice of wood. I use white sewing thread then the roots attach themselves over time(can take several weeks). Eventually you wont be able to see the thread anyways. Just remember the "roots" have to be exposed to water. In a lower light setting the ludwigia will start to lose its red over time and be more of a greenish color.

Replacing bio-media every other month kind of defeats the point of having it, I think they are just looking to make money on that one. A quick rinse in tank water when doing water changes every other week or every month should do it.

What tetras are you thinking about? Things like neons are really sensitive to acclimation so I would treat them just like a marine fish and drip acclimate.(Even though they are cheap may as well not kill any right?)

yungreefer2410 · 01-09-2009, 11:13 PM

yea neon tetras. thanks for the tip. do i need to do that to corys? if there any other small bottum dwelling fish i can use?

Luukosian · 01-09-2009, 11:16 PM

I always like dojo loaches(weather loach) for bottom dwellers, they have a personality of their own. My second favorite is otocinclus not really a bottom dweller but a great algae eater and neat fish. As far as acclimation, drip is the best method for any fish and your going to have them for years so why not take the extra hour? I think its easier than pouring water in the bag every 10 minutes anyways. Lots of people like corys but I think they are ugly lol....just my opinion.(dont hate me)

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 03:19 PM

i didn't like the look of the corys either. how many of those dojos should i get?

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 03:28 PM

picture from today

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 03:28 PM

flash is on so its looks not as bright

Luukosian · 01-11-2009, 03:33 PM

will look good once it fills out. I would put the heater back behind so it doesn't stick out so much though.

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 04:29 PM

i will once it is completly clear. maybe going tomorrow to get some more plants. i saw a cool what should i get?

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 08:52 PM

i got some corkscrew valeries (sp?) or something like that. they add some nice green to the tank

Luukosian · 01-11-2009, 10:25 PM

corkscrew vallisneria, those can be pretty neat. Depends on what look you are going for and whats available to you, but there are a lot of low light plants that can look good. I think most anubias do well in low light and can be attractive I think they do better emmersed as opposed to fully submerged but a lot of people keep them completely under water.

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 11:44 PM

yea those look cool. theres is a plant there it has like green and white stalks? it looks like a beach grass lol. is it even a aquarium plant?

yungreefer2410 · 01-11-2009, 11:44 PM

i'll post a picture prob tomorrow. i need to find somewhere that sells java moss as i don't want to pay for shipping

Luukosian · 01-12-2009, 10:01 PM

Heres a list of commonly sold aquarium plants that dont do well under water long term

PlantGeek.net - Plant Guide

odds are if it doesnt look like an aquarium plant it probably isnt...brazil swords and some of the plants listed may stay alive underwater but you wont have great success with them.

I think I bought my java moss on ebay when I started my first planted tank tank now I have big sections of it in 3 tanks from that same original plant.

01-09-2009, 10:39 PM	#33 (permalink)
Luukosian Plate Coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burlington, IA Posts: 735 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my new 20g planted tank Yeah rinsing is definetly the way to go, as far as the plants the java fern is a plant that has rhizoids so instead of planting it in the substrate it needs to be attached to a rock or peice of wood. I use white sewing thread then the roots attach themselves over time(can take several weeks). Eventually you wont be able to see the thread anyways. Just remember the "roots" have to be exposed to water. In a lower light setting the ludwigia will start to lose its red over time and be more of a greenish color. Replacing bio-media every other month kind of defeats the point of having it, I think they are just looking to make money on that one. A quick rinse in tank water when doing water changes every other week or every month should do it. What tetras are you thinking about? Things like neons are really sensitive to acclimation so I would treat them just like a marine fish and drip acclimate.(Even though they are cheap may as well not kill any right?)

01-09-2009, 11:16 PM	#35 (permalink)
Luukosian Plate Coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burlington, IA Posts: 735 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my new 20g planted tank I always like dojo loaches(weather loach) for bottom dwellers, they have a personality of their own. My second favorite is otocinclus not really a bottom dweller but a great algae eater and neat fish. As far as acclimation, drip is the best method for any fish and your going to have them for years so why not take the extra hour? I think its easier than pouring water in the bag every 10 minutes anyways. Lots of people like corys but I think they are ugly lol....just my opinion.(dont hate me)

01-11-2009, 03:33 PM	#39 (permalink)
Luukosian Plate Coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burlington, IA Posts: 735 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my new 20g planted tank will look good once it fills out. I would put the heater back behind so it doesn't stick out so much though.

01-11-2009, 10:25 PM	#42 (permalink)
Luukosian Plate Coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burlington, IA Posts: 735 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my new 20g planted tank corkscrew vallisneria, those can be pretty neat. Depends on what look you are going for and whats available to you, but there are a lot of low light plants that can look good. I think most anubias do well in low light and can be attractive I think they do better emmersed as opposed to fully submerged but a lot of people keep them completely under water.

01-12-2009, 10:01 PM	#45 (permalink)
Luukosian Plate Coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burlington, IA Posts: 735 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my new 20g planted tank Heres a list of commonly sold aquarium plants that dont do well under water long term PlantGeek.net - Plant Guide odds are if it doesnt look like an aquarium plant it probably isnt...brazil swords and some of the plants listed may stay alive underwater but you wont have great success with them. I think I bought my java moss on ebay when I started my first planted tank tank now I have big sections of it in 3 tanks from that same original plant.

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