Please Help with Aquarium plants and CO2 systems!! ugh,,,?

Question

OK,,, I will be as detailed as possible, I have a 90 gal, full spectrum bulb 5000K, and a plant Growth 2700K bulb both 40 watts,,, I have jsut hooked up a CO2 system, Im keeping it SET at the bottom 3 levels,, I have a LOAD of Diff plants, all of which are Med Light plants,
I was told to Turn Off the CO2 at night, and to TURN ON More filtration at night, (I was told plants accept co2 daytime only),,

I need to know what type of ADDITIVEs to use? SIMPLER the better,,

I have 2 blue rams pokeing around,, 12 cardinals, and 3 Magenta snails,,, temp is at 80 f.

Any suggestions I REALLLLLLY appreciate, I just want this thing to BLOW UP and look amazing,,,

thanks to all
tater

the tank is new,,, ONLY with plants,, so it is an Established tank,, the substrate is 2-4 inches deep, and any NAME BRAND additives Id like to know your Doseing regimine,, thanks again,
tater

Answer 1

Whoa! Is this a new set up? What substrate did you use? My plants LOVE a substrate 4 inches of laterite and 3 inches of small stone. I will occasionally use a bit of liquid fertilizer, but that really promotes algae growth. Make sure your daylight is 16 hours. They really need the light to get off to a good start. Do not add fish until your tank is well established and the plants are thriving. That way, if you have to change things around you can do so with minimal stress. Good luck!!!


I use generic brands of laterite. It can be hard to find as it is imported from Africa and South America. It resembles red clay and is rich in iron, other minerals and some organic properties. It alone can be enough for many plants. If you are growing blooming plants you may need to feed with a solid fertilizer such as Lilipons tablets that you break up into bits and force deep into the substrate. Some liquid fertilizers can be used, but the algae thrive on these. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

1. It really depends on how many plants you are going to have. If you want a full, well stocked plant aquarium you will need a CO2 system. 2. There is a process in nature that occurs at the top of the water, a gas exchange where CO2 and O2 move back in forth based on the levels in the water. It can happen in nature A. because it's not closed off like an aquarium B. because the surface area is so much larger. You cannot make you aquarium judgments based on nature. Nature wins every time. 3. You are more than correct and you will not need to run the CO2 at night. 4. You stated yourself in minute quantities, not enough for a well stocked aquarium. Also, if they are true aquatic plants they don't need soil. Gravel works well enough for almost all of them, it's actually easier to aerate their roots.

Answer 3

first of all, you have 0.9 watts per gallon wereas the typical minimum is 2 though 3 or four of flouresent ligting is best. It depends on your tank for the c02, however if you do that there is a BIG chance that your pH will be flying, not a good thing. At that kind of lighting, any neutrients will probably contibute to algae, though if you upgrade lighting, ahsupply.com is good, you might want to try out the flourish line of ferts or if you want cheap but a bit more complicated look at gregwatson.com. Finally for general reading try http://www.plantedtank.net/ or http://www.rexgrigg.com/

Answer 4

Do some reading here http://www.thekrib.com/

and here http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/

You can get expert help on the list above.