Freshwater Planted Tanks

[EDJFA]

I have a client who asked me about setting up a planted freshwater tank. I know enough to know that I don't know enough about them to really be of any help.

Do any of the LFS on our list do planted tanks as well? Or is there a local store that would be a good resource?

 

[Breto]

I know gateway aquatics has a section of fresh water aquariums. If I remember correctly they had plants in them.


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[jlabeaume]

Pretty sure corals and more does too

 

[clevername]

I have a client who asked me about setting up a planted freshwater tank. I know enough to know that I don't know enough about them to really be of any help.

Do any of the LFS on our list do planted tanks as well? Or is there a local store that would be a good resource?

whats the knowledge that your unsure of? If your understanding in saltwater is proficient then it transfers. HOWEVER, i would agree, putting a kessil H380 over a tank might not be the best.

what specifically are you asking? What did the "client" ask you about? What part of the question where you unfamiliar with?

 

[Pife]

whats the knowledge that your unsure of? If your understanding in saltwater is proficient then it transfers. HOWEVER, i would agree, putting a kessil H380 over a tank might not be the best.

what specifically are you asking? What did the "client" ask you about? What part of the question where you unfamiliar with?

His client is of the financial kind. He isn't in the saltwater business he just has his tank in his financial office.

 

[nicoleah]

I keep a FW planted 29 gallon but unfortunately I order plants online due to poor local selection.

 

[mpgrant77]

Freshwater can be a little complicated depending on what you want do. They have plants with similar demands as saltwater coral. Some require low light and no real additional help. Some require medium light and the addition of fertilizers and then others require high light, fertilizers and CO2 diffusers. Almost like a range of softies to LPS to SPS. Planted tanks are usually defined by the amount of equipment it takes to run it. Low tech, medium tech, and high tech. Low tech is a filter and some standard light, medium tech tends to require a higher end light and the addition of fertilizers, high tech usually is associated with the addition of CO2 diffuser and high light. So bottom line it all comes down to what plants and their requirements, just like corals.

 

[EDJFA]

It's actually my client's son looking into the planted tank. He likes the zen look of them. But he's a complete noob to the hobby. I've done enough looking at different online forums to know that, just like here, it can be really complicated or really easy. My guess is most people start out easy and step it up from there.

I'll tell her to have him check out Gateway. Lei is shutting down the freshwater side of the store and putting in more saltwater tanks. At least that was the plan the last time I was in there.

Thanks.

 

[mpgrant77]

I would suggest starting out easy and work your way up. Nobody around here has any decent fresh water plants. Eco complete and flourish make some nice substrates for planted tanks. They help feed the roots of the rooted plants. Black blasting sand or white pool filter sand are also good substrates but lack and nutrients for rooted plants. Java ferns, amazon swords and Anubias are great starter plants. Check out aquariumplants.com they have a great selection and good pricing. Plus they tell you the requirements of each plant. Also I have some vallisneria corkscrew that grows like a weed in my tank that is pretty cool. You are welcome to just come and take some.