mark4785
Member
I have been involved in the hobby of planted aquariums for around 2 years now and throughout those years I have learned about the many aspects of the 'golden triangle' (i.e. light, macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients) and how light is the most crucial determinant to what kind of nutrient dosing regime a person utilizes. With my aquarium having a high-light specification, I learned that estimative index dosing was the best route to take since the high degree of light that the plants are exposed to may cause them to soak up an inordinate amount of macro/micro nutrients; thus these nutrients would need to be supplied 'excessively' in order to avoid the plants using it all up. In addition, I have also learned about the importance of co2 diffusion and flow, which is why I am using the high quality 'Super Atomizer' by 'Easy-Aqua' to produce a fine mist of co2 bubbles that are more mobile and responsive to the two power-heads that I have installed. With regards to flow, all filter/power-head output is facing the same direction to ensure water fully circulates around the aquarium.
So, as can be seen from above, what I have learned about keeping a planted aquarium is perhaps reaching the intermediary between that of a novice and expert planted-tank hobbyist. However, I still have many questions and incompetence's in that I am still struggling to successfully grow many of the available water plants provided by Tropica. To give you an idea of what I cannot grow at this stage, I have compiled a list below:
1. Vallisneria spiralis 'tiger'
2. Hygrophila polysperma
3. Elecocharis parvula
4. Hygrophila corymbosa siamensis
5. Limnophila sessiliflora (This grew very well prior to lowering my light levels for reasons of algae problems)
6. Bacopa monnieri (becomes weak, loses its bottom leaves)
7. Hemanthus callitricoides
8. Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
9. Micranthemum unbrosum
10. Bacopa australis
This is by no means an extensive list of plants that I have to throw away, and as such, does not constitute the £300-£500 worth of plants that I have had to trash over the years.
For obvious reasons I would like to get to the bottom of why the above plants do not grow, since the majority of them, with the exception of plant 7, are not temperamental. Below I have included my tank specifications in the hope that somebody who has been in this hobby much longer than me will be able to see where I am going wrong so that I can finally say to myself that I enjoy this hobby.
Planted Aquarium Specifications
Lighting: 2 x 24w 22 inch Hagen Power Glo Fluorescent tubes (located in the aquarium hood, approximately 65cm above the substrate level).
CO2: Yes; I use the Dennerle Comfort Range. A 500g co2 cylinder is hooked up to a 'Super Atomizer' manufactured by 'Easy-Aqua' (this Super Atomizer was installed on the 26th of June so its a new product which replaced a near useless diffuser which produced large bubbles that would zoom up to the water surface). This new diffuser is producing a fine mist of co2 that is reaching most plants. Two Power heads are distributing the mist across the aquarium, in addition to a small internal filter with a spray bar (spray bar is actually submerged).
Fertilizer: Yes (a Estimative index dosing regime is employed); approximately 7-8 ppm of potassium nitrate and phosphate are added Mon, Wed and Fri while the micro-nutrients from TPN are added on Tue and Thur. A water change is conducted on a sunday; prior to the water change the nitrate level is typically 50ppm and afterwards 35ppm (this is measured using an expensive Horiba manufactured Nitrate meter for accuracy). Phosphate levels are presumed to be equally high. One thing that I ought to note is that the plants do not use up even 1-2ppm of nitrate from day-to-day which strikes me has being quite odd in a high-light, nutrient-demanding set-up.
Tank Size/Capacity: 81.5cm length , width of 36cm and height of 52.5cm and holds 120 litres.
Miscellaneous
No algae growth.
The plants that do grow primarily come from the cryptocoryne species.
So, as can be seen from above, what I have learned about keeping a planted aquarium is perhaps reaching the intermediary between that of a novice and expert planted-tank hobbyist. However, I still have many questions and incompetence's in that I am still struggling to successfully grow many of the available water plants provided by Tropica. To give you an idea of what I cannot grow at this stage, I have compiled a list below:
1. Vallisneria spiralis 'tiger'
2. Hygrophila polysperma
3. Elecocharis parvula
4. Hygrophila corymbosa siamensis
5. Limnophila sessiliflora (This grew very well prior to lowering my light levels for reasons of algae problems)
6. Bacopa monnieri (becomes weak, loses its bottom leaves)
7. Hemanthus callitricoides
8. Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
9. Micranthemum unbrosum
10. Bacopa australis
This is by no means an extensive list of plants that I have to throw away, and as such, does not constitute the £300-£500 worth of plants that I have had to trash over the years.
For obvious reasons I would like to get to the bottom of why the above plants do not grow, since the majority of them, with the exception of plant 7, are not temperamental. Below I have included my tank specifications in the hope that somebody who has been in this hobby much longer than me will be able to see where I am going wrong so that I can finally say to myself that I enjoy this hobby.
Planted Aquarium Specifications
Lighting: 2 x 24w 22 inch Hagen Power Glo Fluorescent tubes (located in the aquarium hood, approximately 65cm above the substrate level).
CO2: Yes; I use the Dennerle Comfort Range. A 500g co2 cylinder is hooked up to a 'Super Atomizer' manufactured by 'Easy-Aqua' (this Super Atomizer was installed on the 26th of June so its a new product which replaced a near useless diffuser which produced large bubbles that would zoom up to the water surface). This new diffuser is producing a fine mist of co2 that is reaching most plants. Two Power heads are distributing the mist across the aquarium, in addition to a small internal filter with a spray bar (spray bar is actually submerged).
Fertilizer: Yes (a Estimative index dosing regime is employed); approximately 7-8 ppm of potassium nitrate and phosphate are added Mon, Wed and Fri while the micro-nutrients from TPN are added on Tue and Thur. A water change is conducted on a sunday; prior to the water change the nitrate level is typically 50ppm and afterwards 35ppm (this is measured using an expensive Horiba manufactured Nitrate meter for accuracy). Phosphate levels are presumed to be equally high. One thing that I ought to note is that the plants do not use up even 1-2ppm of nitrate from day-to-day which strikes me has being quite odd in a high-light, nutrient-demanding set-up.
Tank Size/Capacity: 81.5cm length , width of 36cm and height of 52.5cm and holds 120 litres.
Miscellaneous
No algae growth.
The plants that do grow primarily come from the cryptocoryne species.
