Newbie fact sheets - help please

[discusturkguy]

good suggestion jan has i for one am always confused with the lph has i see alot of people adding things like the koralias to get a higher flow rate but all i know about this is that it stops dead spots being created. also at the moment i have my outlet flow 4" below the surface has i have read this is a ideal level to obtain better co2 without losing any through too much oxygen does everyone do this or does it really matter any more with the advancements being made.

[ghostsword]

Having a planted tank is not as hard it may seem, but it may take a while to get all the information needed to master the art of growing plants.

We all have to start somewhere, so the article "A beginer perspective" is the perfect start.

Whatever problems you may be facing, you were not the first one, and there are always a solution.


AquaScaping World Magazine - A Beginner's Perspective

Now, one of the failure of many planted tanks are the lack of fertilisers, CO2 and too much light.

Plants are living things, they need food, nourishment and care. By dosing the water collumn with nutrients.

It is scary when you start, it may seem a lot to understand, but read the the EI method article below, and you will be on a very good standing to master it.

AquaScaping World Magazine - Estimative Index Fertilization Method

Now, CO2, a silent killer if misused, but it is very hard to keep a planted tank without it. You need to understand how to use it correctly, no mistakes on this one. You dose too much and you will kill all your fish and shrimp. The plants will not die from a overdosing, but the fish and shrimp will.

One of the best articles about CO2, and how to set it up, is the one below:
AquaScaping World Magazine - Pressurized C02 Injection Systems

How to prevent algae? That is one of the main questions we hear on the forum. Algae is opportunistic, and will thrive where plants wont. Too much light is an issue, but so is unstable CO2, bad flow, and strugling plants.

The tested and tried methods to keep algae at bay are all discused on the article below:
AquaScaping World Magazine - Methods to Prevent Algae
AquaScaping World Magazine - Dissolved Organic Compounds Explained

[frosties]

Here is an article that I created some 12 months ago... it is a good all-rounder document... but I am the author and inherently biased!

[Eboeagles]

Still being a total beginner I think this is on the money! An all encompassing resource (if possible) would be amazing and very helpful! I've spent quite a bit of time and money fiddling around when I didn't have to (although it has been fun)!!

In regard to lights though you definitely need to factor in LEDs - I'm still confused as hell trying to convert the wpg rule + everything needs to be in simple terms so it's understandable to the total amateur like myself.

As for planting some honest examples of stems breaking, carpet plants floating etc would be amazing to stop the beginner getting frustrated + tricks and tips to get round these problems I'm sure everyone has - even the professionals...

I've been thinking of starting a nano equipment resource as obviously I've spent a lot of time asking around you guys and more on the best tank, filter, co2 etc and it would have been very helpful to have one article listing the various choices on offer with the pros & cons which can obviously be added to by users as new products come up.

[James]

Now, CO2, a silent killer if misused, but it is very hard to keep a planted tank without it

Useful resources but i'm inclined to diagree with the above statement.  While my tanks are certainly no comparison to the lush growth that some people such as yourself can achieve with co2 injection my plants are still happy, healthy and growing nicely without the addition of co2 or liquid carbon suplements.

I've noticed that a lot of people seem to be saying that you cant keep a decent planted tank without paying out for a full presurized co2 set up and i worry that this might put people new to the hobby off as these aren't cheap.


I think a list of easy plants should be a part of any beginners guide as a lot of people jump straight in with the harder to keep ones then get dicouraged when they all melt and die because they didnt know how to look after them properly.  Certainly it was my success with moss and crypts in my first properly planted tank that gave me the confidence to try and take the hobby further

[frosties]

James

you have a very valid point there and I think that there is merit in listing plants that require (essential) CO2 and those which do not. So - would you mind starting those lists?

I will create 2 new threads - please feel free to post ONLY the plant names (links can be added) to plants for these categories.

[James]

I can certainly add any plants i've had success with in my non co2 tanks

I think the problem most people face is that there are so many variables to take into account, I mean many people would say a plant such as HC is impossible to grow in anything other then a high tech set up yet I had some that was quite happy in my desk tank with a 5w CFL bulb, no ferts and no co2, it sure as hell didnt grow very quickly but it didnt die either

[ghostsword]

:) the comment is that it is hard, not impossible.

Ask a newbie to try keeping a planted tank without CO2. Hell, ask him or her to keep a tank with CO2.. :) There are too many variables, but by having CO2 you will take one of them out. All plants grow with CO2.

[James]

I do see your point Luis and there are plenty of people out there who jump straight in with a high tech set up and produce something impressive but personally i feel a novice would be better off starting low tech and upgrading as their skill set improves.

To really take advantage of the gains of co2 injection you want to be dosing ferts and giving the plants plenty of light and in a high energy setup like that mistakes tend to bite you on the ass pretty quickly.  Obviously i'm not suggesting low tech is problem free, just that in my experience its a bit more forgiving

Of course thats just my opinion 

[ghostsword]

You are actually right. A newbie will have more luck and results on a low tech. :)

Ferns, anubias and mosses are amazing plants, and very easy to have an amazing tank with them.

CO2 is the biggest killer of fish there is.  :)

[frosties]

The thing here is that it is all personal experience and more importantly skills. But I get asked all the time - can you recommend easy plants... There are thousands I could recommend - and there are some I would not. But I have managed to grow plants that are listed as hard in what some would deem impossible conditions!
For example - take Tonnia... It is a plant which should thrive in high tech - but not for me... yet ashy pipewort (eriocaulon) I have kept in low tech plants for many months and they survived... moved them to high tech and dead in a week. Lilaeo Brasilensis - supposedly needs CO2 etc - yet in the 240l tank with no CO2 it is fine... just not dense!