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New Setup

tdc999

New Member
Joined
19 Nov 2020
Messages
22
Location
Germany
Hi
I have the tank all setup, electrics, external filter, CO2, bogwood and soil.
No water at the moment!
I am a bit unclear how to proceed even after reading numerous books.
I have yet to buy any plants although I do have a source.
Once I plant up with what is the best way to proceed.
My plan was to get the plants reasonably established and then to gradually add the fish.
I understand that that regular water changes are needed and that good bacteria have to be established.
I have a water testing kit. What do I need to add to the water to keep the plants happy? (aquatic fertiliser).
Thanks
 
There are many approaches. If you are adding CO2, its best to also use fertiliser. Read up on EI dosing or lean dosing, or any of the countless off the shelf solutions there are (I use tropica specialised currently, but have done home mixxed EI, both work for me), and settle on one. You'll never know which one is 'the best' but you can tell if that particular choice works for you, depending on which plants you have, how many plants you have and how algae develop over time. After filling I usually do 50% water changes daily in week 1, then 50% every other day, then 2x per week, and then finally 1x per week. Then after 4 weeks since the start or so add one fish/a few hardy fish or shrimp, see how it goes, and a week or 2 later add some more, starting with amano or oto's for algae control.

Be sure to limit light duration and intensity at the start.

Without more info on your lights, soil and intended plants its hard to be more specific :)
 
Hi
thanks for the reply.
The tank is a new Fluval Vision 260:

Lighting type LED
Number of bulbs:2
Total output of the lamps in watts: 42 W
The soil Is Tropica.
I have yet to decide on planting and that was another question I was going to ask.
From what I have read it is better to start off with fast growing plants to help stabilise the water.
I have frew ideas what to get but any advice would be great.

ps I was also considering to upgrade the lighting in the future.
 
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