tmc signature 60 planted

[george dicker]

thought id do an update, have added a few plants

 

[george dicker]

 

[george dicker]

as u can see my plants are struggling, even with the improved flow, i dont know whats up

 

[Lindy]

More co2 needed?

 

[James O]

yes, it is

Is your filter still on the back wall pushing water towards the front glass?

 

[george dicker]

no, its to the side, maybe more co2, ill try raising it

 

[James O]

Tbh George, I'd give up on hi tech tanks until you get the hang of lo tech. Grasp the basics first.

There's plenty of lo tech tanks on here to inspire.

 

[alto]

as u can see my plants are struggling, even with the improved flow, i dont know whats up

I'll agree on this point - re I can't imagine why plant growth seems to struggle so much

In comparison I have crap flow, low CO2 (Dicrossus began to show stress while other fish & shrimp were fine), erratic lighting & fertilizer (Tropica), Eco-Complete substrate (so not enriched) & plants at least look healthy, though growth is relatively slow - all plants are rated "easy" or "medium" by Tropica. I do 60% water changes once or twice weekly.

Kudos to you George for struggling on!
Is there a local aquarium club in your area, or a shop that has planted display tanks??? try to find local planted tanks that are doing well & talk to people.


I'd be inclined to plant heavily with "easy" stem plants (they are generally relatively cheap & more difficult to kill), 50% water change every 3-4 days, conservative water column fertilizers (need to replenish after each water change), 5-6 hours light, spray bar ... once everything is going well, try out some more challenging plants.

 

[george dicker]

this is good advice, ive started to get more easy plants and upped co2, do u think i should lower my light time then ?

 

[george dicker]

what would i need to change ? thanks to go lo tek

 

[george dicker]

hmm ok, what do u guys think about a strip down and try dirted for awhile ?

 

[george dicker]

what im doing now just isnt working and i dont even know why

 

[alto]

Do you have a local shop that you can work closely with?

 

[george dicker]

not really no

 

[alto]

If you want to go with distant advice, try to provide as much information as possible so that posters have the clearest possible picture of your set up.

Pedro Rosa just started a new journal, maybe use his Setup post as a guide.

 

[george dicker]

ive decided to try dirted , i will post a pic when its done

 

[James O]

Try simple lo tech to start. Grab yourself a few Anubias varieties, some Java ferns, maybe some moss, some stone and/or wood and make yourself a really good looking lo tech scape. They feature in many, if no all of Amano's tanks

 

[george dicker]

im really not a fan of any of those plants stated, as i said b4 what im doing now isnt working so if the plants i already have improve, ill know that dirting the tank worked, if not im royally screwed

 

[James O]

'Dirting' the tank?

 

[george dicker]

yea you know dustin, walstad, all that blahblahblahblah