Total noob with plants but trying to learn

[rdzralph]

I want to get a planted tank going with my Discus. I tested my aquarium water and these where the results.

PH 7.6
dKH 12
Nitrate 5ppm
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

At the moment, I am running pressurized CO2 through a glass diffuser, the bubbles flow into a Magnum HOB canister intake, I started doing this yesterday. I also, have an emprior 400 which causes a lot of surface agitation with bubbles does this negate my CO2? These past few months I've had sucess with amazon swords but everthing else dies. Honestly, I didn't put to much effort into the plants but know I want to learn more. Looking for advice on how to get a sucessful planted tank going with Discus.Thanks!

[pcsb23]

It's a challenge for sure, but one that can be a lot of fun!

It is about balance between macro and micro nutrients, and light.

You water is fine to start with. But to help further it would be useful to know what size the aquarium is, what substrate you are using, what the lights are, (T8's, T5's MH etc) and how powerful they are. Also how long they are on during the day.

Also what other ferts are you using if any?

[rdzralph]

Well , this coming week I am upgrading from a 60 to 80 gallon tank. The substrate I will be using is a layer of eco complete with play sand above that. Pressurized CO2 connected to my Fluval 405 intake, additional filter will be a Hot Magnum HOB filter.

For a light fixture I have an Odyssea with 2 65W bulbs it came with the 60 gallon when I purchase it. Thinking of purchasing a 48" Black Solar T5 HO aquarium light fixture for the 80 gallon tank, is this a good brand? Suggestions for lighting would be great, what brand do you recommend that won’t break the bank, funds are low. I don't use any additional ferts, I have been looking for excel but no lfs carry it. Recommendations would also be great. Thanks!

[Harriett]

I don't have much in the area of light recommendations but the cheapest around I think may be AHSupply.com
There is some assembly required but they sell light sets and retro fit sets that are very reasonable compared to what is out there. I have them on my 180 [396w of CP light] and they work great--I have been buying replacement bulbs from them for maybe 7 years and they are very high quality. The guy who owns it is friendly and helpful when you call.

There are several online stores to buy liquid ferts and EXCEL from. Big ALs in the US will match any lower price you can tell them you found, that they verify, and if you order $60. or more in your order, they cover shipping charges. I just did a new search yesterday for EXCEL, since I am getting low and what I found is: Fish.com sells a 2 L bottle of it for $26.99 or 4 L bottle for $46.99; the other places all sell it for about $31.00 for a 2 L. and you pay for shipping. So tell Big Als you found the price at Fish.com, get some other liquid ferts etc you may need [like Flouish and Flourish Iron, etc], and you have the best that can be had, deal wise.

Best regards,
Harriett

[pcsb23]

Ok, well given that you are, or want, to use CO", then for an 80 gallon tank you are going to need around 200W of lighting. I can't recomend a brand as I'm the the UK and I'm sure there will be differences etc. The AH Supply stuff Harriet mentions, gets mentioned and recomended a lot so I'd give them a try. Typically a light fitting for a 4 foot tank (I'm guessing here) with 4 T5 HO tubes in will give 216 watts (54W each) this would be good enough for a CO2 injected tank of that size. If you are using CO2 you won't need excel as it is a carbon supplement.

I like your substrate choice.

You should look at getting a good general purpose fert, like ordinary flourish and also look at getting maybe an iron supplement (Fe). You will also need to monitor how CO2 goes in (drop counter and ph etc). It takes a lot of practice to get a planted tank going right :) High light and a fert imbalance = algae. In fact any imbalance = algae!! And you will get some too.

Worth it though imo :)

[rdzralph]

Awesome, Thank you for the info. will look into it after work. It took me about a hour and half to post my first reply, busy here at work today.:p

[cyberhog05]

I have read that the Solar t5ho kits are pretty nice for the money. I would buy one! Just make sure you get the proper bulbs when you get it. 6500k-10000k. I would bypass the idea of liquid ferts. They are pricey but easy. If you decide on liquid ferts I would suggest using http://www.pfertz.com/.Dry ferts are the way to go. It takes a little bit of reading but once you figure it out the initial 30bux you spend will last you a long long long time. Heres a few links for your learning pleasure:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fertilizers-water-parameters/21944-_dosing-regimes_.html

http://www.rexgrigg.com/

http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/62-estimative-index-dosing-no-need-test-kits.html

I use an oddysea fixture with top quality bulbs and has worked fine for me. I will upgrade some day! I have also read good things about the fixtures from http://www.fishneedit.com/. I know the T5HO Solars from http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1423 have individual reflectors and that is a very important thing.

[rdzralph]

I have read that the Solar t5ho kits are pretty nice for the money. I would buy one! Just make sure you get the proper bulbs when you get it. 6500k-10000k. I would bypass the idea of liquid ferts. They are pricey but easy. If you decide on liquid ferts I would suggest using http://www.pfertz.com/.Dry ferts are the way to go. It takes a little bit of reading but once you figure it out the initial 30bux you spend will last you a long long long time. Heres a few links for your learning pleasure:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/fertilizers-water-parameters/21944-_dosing-regimes_.html

http://www.rexgrigg.com/

http://www.barrreport.com/estimative-index/62-estimative-index-dosing-no-need-test-kits.html

I use an oddysea fixture with top quality bulbs and has worked fine for me. I will upgrade some day! I have also read good things about the fixtures from http://www.fishneedit.com/. I know the T5HO Solars from http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=71_136&products_id=1423 have individual reflectors and that is a very important thing.

Wow, Lots of good information on those websites. I have good grasp on how to get my planted tank going now. I think I will go with the dry ferts, much cheaper and doesn’t seem too hard to mix them. Thanks again all for the help!