Planted tank forums

[Fishmommy]

I have a high tech 180 and a high tech 75 been running with injected CO2 for 15 years and now fully LED these last 5 years. Been mixing my own ferts 15 years also. Happy to answer questions.

 

[rickztahone]

I have a high tech 180 and a high tech 75 been running with injected CO2 for 15 years and now fully LED these last 5 years. Been mixing my own ferts 15 years also. Happy to answer questions.

Actually, as someone who only did T8's with High Tech tanks, I do have a question for you. How do you find the comparison in WPG from regular bulbs to LED's? I always pondered setting up an LED planted (small tank) but didn't know what to aim for. LED's has much better dialing in capabilities, at least IME, and it runs less hot. I always had fans on my 55g because of the lighting.

 

[Fishmommy]

I converted from CFL to LED and found that with my chosen lights WPG was cut in half for the same amount of PAR. Every LED unit will be different though I think.

 

[rickztahone]

I converted from CFL to LED and found that with my chosen lights WPG was cut in half for the same amount of PAR. Every LED unit will be different though I think.

That makes sense. If I ever move forward with an LED lit tank, I will definitely check out the PAR readings vs. HO fixtures. I will probably end up with some kind of ADA long tank with a paintball co2 system though. Nothing big. TFS

 

[dodgerblew]

Kent, check out green leaf aquariums. They make a very good product at a great price with great warranty and CS and not built until you order to specs you want.

 

[CaboKent]

I've decided to have an Amazon tank with lots of Amazon Sword plants , driftwood ,6 Pinoy Blue Angels, and a large school of Cardinal Tetras.
Simple enough! Done it many times.
Thank you guys for helping me out. I really appreciate it!

 

[dodgerblew]

What lighting Kent and are you going CO2? Sounds great.

 

[dattack]

what substrate do plant people recommend? other than ada?

 

[OllieNZ]

what substrate do plant people recommend? other than ada?

There is a wide variety of things that you can use. I've used John Innes number 3 recipe garden soil capped with 2-3mm sand for most of my tanks, I've also used fine grain moler clay. These are some of the more diy options, there are plenty of commercially available options out there.

 

[Fishmommy]

I have been using seachem fluorite for over a decade with good results. Its clean and supports swords just fine

 

[CaboKent]

Can you post pictures of your planted tanks with a brief description of what is involved. Lighting, soil, fertilizer , CO2, no CO2, etc.
Time to show off your hobby.

 

[Fishmommy]

Low tech 180 African cichlid


High tech 75


high tech 180 after a serious pruning of the foregrounds

 

[CaboKent]

Beautiful tanks! Anybody else?

 

[rickztahone]

Very beautiful Alternanthera reineckii Fishmommy

 

[dodgerblew]

View attachment 329463
Low tech 180 African cichlid

View attachment 329464
High tech 75

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high tech 180 after a serious pruning of the foregrounds

What plants are you growing in an AC tank with a high alkali substrate? Very nice tanks!

 

[Fishmommy]

Substrate was inert, grew tiger lotus, java fern, vals.

 

[dodgerblew]

Substrate was inert, grew tiger lotus, java fern, vals.

Sorry, just getting into planted. Can you explain?

 

[BeachBum2012]

SCAPE all the way. A good bunch of folks.

The Planted Tank is a much larger resource, but SCAPE is local.

 

[BeachBum2012]

I'm in the process of moving from the planted tank side to salt.

 

[hersheyb]

It's cool to see so many of us here having interest in planted tanks!