markj markj
  • Just popping in
  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 21/3/2013 23:01
  • From Nottinghamshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 2
  • Posted on: 21/3/2013 23:14
new member with planted tank #1
Hi everyone ive just joined this forum im new to a planted setup the tank
is cube shape 280l with a sump i have leds for lights
i want to go low tech can anybody help many thanks mark
Fishlady Fishlady
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Tropical Moderator
  • Joined: 6/7/2010 19:26
  • From Worcestershire
  • Group: Caresheets Moderators FK Supporter Registered Users Image Admin Advisers
  • Posts: 13923
  • Posted on: 21/3/2013 23:23
Re: new member with planted tank #2
Hi,

Just popping in to welcome you, but as I'm no plant expert I'll leave the suggestions to those better qualified
markj markj
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  • Just popping in
  • Joined: 21/3/2013 23:01
  • From Nottinghamshire
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 2
  • Posted on: 21/3/2013 23:24
Re: new member with planted tank #3
Thankyou for the welcome
dbawldy dbawldy
  • Just can't stay away
  • Just can't stay away
  • Joined: 24/4/2012 21:51
  • From East Sussex
  • Group: Registered Users Basic Membership
  • Posts: 72
  • Posted on: 31/5/2013 10:04
Re: new member with planted tank #4
Hi I have been running a planted tank now for about 2 years

if you want to go low tech on a planted tank I would recommend pond soil (there are plenty of videos on youtube on how to get clear water from it)

if you are going to have it heavily planted a CO2 system is also important http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/tmc-a ... arter-kit-mk2-p-5802.html this is the CO2 system i use It's cheap and effective (you may want to use 2 of these to allow for the plants to photosynthesise properly)

remember a light nutrient CO2 balance will be crucial especially if you don't want algal growth

Now a little about the different types of plant

you have the rooting plants such as anubis plants and amazon swords they will take nutrients from the substrate and CO2 from the water

stemming plants which can be floating or planted in a substrate as they will adapt to the way they are used good examples of this are combomba and elodea densa

and you have floating plants that will take everything they need from the water

Hope this helps :)
Darlo toe Darlo toe
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  • Joined: 22/4/2013 11:32
  • From County Durham
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  • Posts: 15
  • Posted on: 31/5/2013 21:45
Re: new member with planted tank #5
Hi sorry to hijack your thread, but looking at the co2 kit, my question is how long to the cannisters last
Onyxia Onyxia
  • Plants Adviser
  • Plants  Adviser
  • Joined: 31/10/2010 13:47
  • From London
  • Group: Advisers Deep End Registered Users
  • Posts: 600
  • Posted on: 2/6/2013 17:58
Re: new member with planted tank #6
It depends on your set up and cannister size. You adjust the bubble rate to keep C02 levels at the desired level so there is no one size fits all answer.

If you want a low tech set up though that generally means no additional CO2. Its typically a more laid back and cheaper approach to aquatic gardening.