Tropical Fish Forums

[Iasc-keeper]

Hi guys,

It has literally been so long since I've visited the site. Only for good reasons, I gathered so much information of fthis site to the extent I successfully kept a Marine tank for the previous four years, with of course the many ups and downs along the way.
Sadly I've had to face facts, the recession has had its toll. I am fully aware of the expense of keeping marines and having just moved to university, I simply can't afford to keep it going.

However there is no way I could give up the hobby, so I'm switching the tank to freshwater, preferably planted. Although high-spec tanks can still be pricey, it's not my goal and also the Marines have nullified my shock reaction to the price tags.

Basically have a 180 litre tank, it think thats about 30 gallon, maybe a bit more?

I want an Amazonian themed tank. So does anyone recommend any particular substrate for plants?
Is there a substrate that lends the water to more acidic pH?
Any tough plants that will withstand the immature tank?

I have been browsing online, and liquid ferts seem to be expensive enough. Would you say they are the key to a planted tank or a bonus?

Thanks guys!

[DaleJr]

Since you're probably wanting to maintain low to medium plants I would look into "Dirting" the tank.

Using Organic Miracle grow as a substrate and capping with a fine product (ie playsand, PFS, sand blasting sand or fine gravel) Be careful with your lighting choice because that's what throws systems into algae prevention mode. I would look into T5No (or HE) dual lighting.

You want to probably look into dry ferts depending on where you are located, and shipping cost. I use PMDD which cost 10$ a pound and makes 2 GALLONS of liq ferts.

[flute]

Many species of aquatic plant are invasive species. Aquatic plants make particularly good weeds because they reproduce vegetatively from fragments.

Exotic plant nursery