jvision

From looking at your tank, I'd say the plant in the back is bamboo. The leaves will do best if you stuck them out of the tank - that's when the plant should start to flourish.

Looks like you've added some Giant Valisneria (the grass-like plants). Without much trouble, they'll easily grow tall enought to cover the entire tank. The "Moneywort" can actually be planted - looks like you've attached it to a rock? Stick the end in the sand and let it grow up to the surface. If it gets too tall, just chop it off to a hight that you like, and plant (or give away) the tops. They'll continue to grow and grow and grow.

My experince with Anubias is that it is a heavy root feeder. It's a 'slow grower' as compared to the Valisnerian and "Moneywort", but if you get enough nutrients to the roots, you'll start seeing a couple of new leaves/week. I attach mine to driftwood or rocks with their roots at least touching, or growing into, the substrate.

Java fern is the only plant that you have that - IMO - grows best out of the sand.

The other (new?) plant you have on the right side is a type of Cryptocoryne. They have a tendancy to 'melt' (ie. leaves turn to mush) when water parameters change too much - it often happens w/in a week of adding it to the tank. If this happens, don't worry too much. New leaves should grow back. These too, like substrate fertilizer.

It's good that you've added CO2 - it's the most important 'fertilizer' that you can add, even at low light levels. I would consider your tank a 'low light' tank b/c of discussions earier about halogens giving off relatively low light. Once you have CO2 going, and decide on lighting, that's when you start adding other feritlizers.

I like to use what is refered to as Estimative Index fertilizing. I add a certain amount every day (Google "Aquatic Plants Digest" for more info about this topic), then do a min 50% WC each week. Plants grow like Gangbusters, pearling (ie. plants produce so much O2 - a byproduct of photosynthesis - that the water can no longer hold it in solution. The plants literally bubble O2), and HAPPY FISH!!

I know there's so much to learn about the whole Planted Tank thing. But once you get the hang of things, it sure is rewarding!

HTH!

I've been using the SERA tank for a couple of years now. Nice small size makes it easy to keep hidden. Great for tanks 33 gal or less... I'm finding that I may want to upgrade to something bigger for my 55 gal.

Oh, how do you "split" swords? The three big bunchs in the back are getting too big, and I don't want to just prune them down as that's killing good plant... I'd rather split them down into more plants so I can add some to my 20 gallon. Do you just cut down the middle so that some roots stay with each half, or?

Splitting swords can be tricky.... if they're just one plant, then don't do it; however, if you can see more than one 'centre' - a place where leave originate - then you could just pull them apart. The roots will be tangled, but be gentle, it should come apart w/o much trouble.

I've never seen a common sword flower, but, if you decide to up the light, it should send up a flower stalk. If you keep the flowers submerged, they'll grow into plantlets - it's how I propigate my Ozelot.

HTH.

What I've done, instead of heading back to the LFS to pick up some more of the Nutrafin packets, I go to the grocery store and pick up some brewers yeast and bulk Baking Soda (guess what the "Stabilizer" is).

I love the ladder diffuser - I even use one on my pressurized system. And the brew chamber Nutrafin supplies is better than any pop bottle I've ever used!

For your light level, it seems like the CO2 is all you need. WCs will help keep nutrient levels high enough. But, if you plan on upping your light, you'll probably need to suppliment with other nutrients (KNO3, K2PO4, traces).

If you're looking for some nice red plants, PM me. I can't make the auction this weekend (sister's getting married), but I've got some nice Ozelot swords and Red Tiger Lotus that should do great in your tank.

Looking good!!

I think it's Christmas moss - or perhaps another similar species. Christmas moss <i>is<i/> different than Java moss. I first learned about the different mosses on the Aquatic Plants Digest (google it - lots of great plant advice). Most ppl on the APD are from the States, but you may be able to find a Canadian or two there who might have some.

As for Java moss, my experience is like Canadbis. Stretch it out a little more - give it as much surface areas as possilbe to attach to the wood. If you can leave it be for a while, it'll eventually attach, and grow attached.

HTH.

I work only 3 blocks form OxyPro... think maybe I'll make the switch from my 14oz to a bigger tank - save myself a lot of time. Maybe I'll stick the small tank on my 29 gal, or set up a 15 or 10 gal - got both of them sitting empty in the basement right now (is that a sin in the aquarium hobby??? :-s).

:welcome:

Where are you?

I live on Edmonton's South side.... unfortunately, I won't be able to make the ACE Auction this weekend. My sister is getting married - that kinda takes precidence over the fish show.

I was refered to this site about a year ago, but lost the bookmark in the other computer! It's great to find it again, and look forward to joining the community.

I've been in the hobby for about a dozen years, and have had as many as 9 different tanks on the go at one time. I used to be big into breeding... bettas, apistos, guppies. But, I've forgotten most of what I knew back then.

I'm starting to get interested in the breeding aspect again, but for now I'll just go with what I have:

55 gal Planted tank w. SA fish (plus 2 SAE, and 3 Amano shrimp). It's a simple setup with a small CO2 cylender and a HOT Tetra filter. I add ferts daily, but it's taking a bit for the plants to get going - I just moved and got everything set up about 4 weeks ago.

29 gal Planted African. Well, it will be an African tank. Right now, I just have an over abundance of Java Fern and Anubias, as well as a growing population of pond snails. Filters are HOT w. a few houseplants (peace lily, ivy of some sort) growing in it and a Fluval 103 with foam inserts only. I am debating whether or not to add some GAC, but I think all the plants should take care of the chemical filtration, as well as bio.

I've never really kept Africans. Wanting to stick w. something smallish - would really like something yellow and something blue. But, I was also thinking a Julie sp. and shell dwellers.

I'll post pics of the tanks soon.

I've got a pair of Bolivian Rams that have paired off in the 55 - have 3 males, if anyone's interested in a trade (I'm in Edmonton). Will most likely be setting up a 15 gal for the pair to breed and raise the young.

Great! I guess that means I'm actually getting into this hobby again!!!

Great to be back!