Anyone ever maintain a planted FW tank?

[Edward Smith]

Some of the planted FW systems look pretty impressive and have peaked my interest. That said, I'm not looking to take on anything that is equally challenging or taxing as my present underserved reef.

So, any experiences?

Thanks

 

[ostrow]

IME more work...

 

[Fishmommy]

Yep, been keeping planted tanks for about 15 years. Currently have a high tech 75 and 180. What do you want to know?

 

[hoju74]

I kept various low-tech (low wattage lights, no CO2 injection, easy plants) for many years. I actually think my 65g mixed reef is easier to maintain and looking nice.

I never hit that 'sweet spot' with my FW planted tanks. I still do have a 29g FW tank with breeding kribensis cichlids though.

 

[emict326]

I kept a planted dank for about 10years I think the reef tank is a little easier.

 

[ddiomede]

Depending on the route you take, it could be more work than a reef tank. For instance, if you do high light and co2, you could be trimming plants once a week. In the beginning it's not so bad but after some time it gets annoying.

The other thing that's fairly redundant is dosing fertilizers every day. Most dump a weeks worth of ferts in at once, but it's best split over a weeks time and done daily. This way it's consistent.

I don't want to discourage you from planted, as they are beautiful, but just want to give you a heads up on what to expect.

 

[Cliff519]

I have kept planted tanks (both high and low tech) for many years.

IME, reef tanks are a little easier and just as nice.

 

[Fishmommy]

Aw heck I do auto dosing with an Apex on my planteds . I hate extra work!
I do have to change water and trim plants and scrape glass weekly though or they look like crud.

 

[Caragol]

It's too bad so many marine plants go sexual so easily, otherwise it would be nice to have a nice seagrass tank with some colorful crabs...

 

[onepoorreefer]

I must be doing something wrong because I find a plant tank is easier than a reef tank. I have a I low-tech 90 gal tank (low wattage lights, no CO2 injection, easy plants) And my plant grow like crazy every month I do a 50% water change rip out half of the plants because they just grow to fast. I have no fancy equipment. A cheap light fixture form home depot with 4 4foot plant bulbs. I Change them once a year. no heater ,350 magnum canister filter, Seachem Flourite for a base that's it .I do not feed the plants, no co2 and no maintenance on the tank just the monthly water changes

 

[pmcarbrey]

I must be doing something wrong because I find a plant tank is easier than a reef tank. I have a I low-tech 90 gal tank (low wattage lights, no CO2 injection, easy plants) And my plant grow like crazy every month I do a 50% water change rip out half of the plants because they just grow to fast. I have no fancy equipment. A cheap light fixture form home depot with 4 4foot plant bulbs. I Change them once a year. no heater ,350 magnum canister filter, Seachem Flourite for a base that's it .I do not feed the plants, no co2 and no maintenance on the tank just the monthly water changes

Low tech makes everything easy! the problem with low tech is that most of the more interesting plants do not show vivid coloration and many of the more "interesting" species simply won't survive.

 

[Chondro 5]

Low tech makes everything easy! the problem with low tech is that most of the more interesting plants do not show vivid coloration and many of the more "interesting" species simply won't survive.

I completely agree, if you obsess over your reef tank then there is little chance that you can do a FW planted tank "in moderation". I really miss my plant tank sometimes, but it definitely was more time consuming than the reef so it had to go.

 

[Edward Smith]

I completely agree, if you obsess over your reef tank then there is little chance that you can do a FW planted tank "in moderation". I really miss my plant tank sometimes, but it definitely was more time consuming than the reef so it had to go.

Yea.....this is what I was shooting at.

As some of you may have gathered from my other posts, the hobby is getting taxing and I'm starting to look at alternatives (i.e. planted tank, FOWLR, coral only, etc....)

Based on all the feedback, there aren't many aesthetic options that are much less taxing? Seems like it either, all nor none?

Thanks all

 

[Caragol]

Start growing bonsai trees. Much less taxing, you could plant a forest in an aquarium if you wanted. Half kidding, I always thought it would be cool to do a diorama terrarium. The trees would require patience, not maintenance, but be just as beautiful.

Google image search for bonsai forest, then diorama terrarium and tell me that doesn't seem cool.

 

[uwish]

Been running FW hi tech planted tank(s) for over a decade. I don't find them any more work (now) than my salty. Once you get into a routine it's pretty simple IMHO. Just like Reef tanks, there are some things you should do and know and once you are familiar it's the same work, just on different things.

 

[Fishmommy]

You know you want to try it....

 

[luisgo]

There are easy planted tank and difficult ones. My 55 gallon planted tank is very easy to keep. One 25% monthly water change, clean the Fluval canister montly and feed the fish. Weekly addition of Seachem Flourish Comprehensive Supplement and that's it. No Co2 or high tech lights. Four 40 watts T1 fluorescent bulbs in Home Depot light fixtures. A lot of easy plants keep the water clean. Glass is cleaned once a month. My 125 reef tank requires a lot more work.





http://s213.photobucket.com/user/luisgo/slideshow/20130519 Discos 55