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Aquarist Forums => Freshwater General Discussions => Plants => Topic started by: leng on August 06, 2007, 10:33:50 PM

Title: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on August 06, 2007, 10:33:50 PM
This is my first attempt at a planted tank which I had started in June.  It's funny how I had a certain style of aquascape in mind but ended up with a tank that looks quite different from what I had intended :)

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Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: kooby on August 06, 2007, 10:49:48 PM
Hi! I like your tank.  :) The grassy look is interesting and pretty. I just started my very first planted tank (too) about a week and a half ago. I wish good luck to you and your tank!
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: babblefish1960 on August 07, 2007, 02:34:44 AM
That is a lot of good growth in that time, I am sure the discus appreciate your efforts, I found our discus to prefer the security that plants provide.  Is this the tank you got the picture from for the photo contest?
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: charlie on August 07, 2007, 06:30:20 AM
Hey Leng, tank is looking fantastic, can`t wait to see your second attempt  ;).
Regards
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: fischkopp on August 07, 2007, 08:52:52 AM
Great aquascaping! Incredible growth rate! I really like your tank.  :D
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on August 07, 2007, 10:50:20 AM
Thanks!
babblefish1960, I only have 1 tank.  I was close to starting a second tank but realized that I should learn more about planted tanks before getting in over my head.
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: dan2x38 on August 07, 2007, 03:39:00 PM
leng very nice aquascaping love your plants & tank... also liked your entry in the photo contest!
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: kennyman on August 07, 2007, 05:24:55 PM
That looks sweet leng!  8)

Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: Nyx on August 09, 2007, 12:00:50 PM
Wow, your tank looks absolutely amazing, leng! What type of lighting do you have? Also, what type of plant is in the foreground?
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on August 15, 2007, 05:27:46 PM
Quote from: Nyxx on August 09, 2007, 12:00:50 PM
Wow, your tank looks absolutely amazing, leng! What type of lighting do you have? Also, what type of plant is in the foreground?

Thanks.  The foreground plants are Glossostigma Elatinoides.  There are also some Dwarf Sagittaria on the left and right corners.
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: sas on August 15, 2007, 07:08:45 PM
Very nice! Do you mind me asking what substrate you've used?
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: Nyx on August 15, 2007, 08:49:29 PM
Thanks, leng!  :)
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on August 16, 2007, 12:50:46 PM
Substrate - Eco Complete
Lighting -Coralife Compact Fluorescent 4x65 watts over 75 gallon tank
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: sas on August 16, 2007, 01:15:05 PM
Ah ok thanks leng. Must try some of that Eco-Complete one of these days.
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: dan2x38 on August 16, 2007, 03:27:14 PM
leng do they sell the Eco-Complete locally? any cheaper then Flourite & what colours?
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: Zoe on August 16, 2007, 04:34:10 PM
Can you ID the plants that you used?  I know most of them, but not all... I hope you're entering the AGA Aquascaping contest with that beauty!!
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on August 17, 2007, 01:09:17 PM
I don't think it is only the substrate that is contributing to the plant growth.  I also dose the tank with fertilizers.  The info below was passed on to me by Charlie:
*****************************************************
Get 1 lb of each of the following:
Potassium Nitrate KN03
Monopotassium Phosphate KH2PO4
Potassium Sulphate K2S04
Trace mix

and then follow the suggested dose for your tank size from the link, start with 2 x per week for a month & then increase to 3 x per week.
http://www.barrreport.com/articles/42-ei-light-those-less-techy-folks.html
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/water-parameters/21944-_dosing-regimes_.html
Here is a link that contradicts the old myth that that phosphate & other ferts cause algae.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/algae/37017-po4-limiting-fert-no-algae.html
*****************************************************

I think I saw 1 bag of Eco Complete (20 lb) at Big Al's for around $40.  I bought mine from www.petsandponds.com.  The info on the packaging recommends 3 inches of Eco Complete.  I have about 2-1/2 inches in my tank.

As for entering the AGA contest...maybe when I build my second tank :)

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Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: dan2x38 on August 17, 2007, 07:31:26 PM
Quote from: leng on August 17, 2007, 01:09:17 PM
I think I saw 1 bag of Eco Complete (20 lb) at Big Al's for around $40.  I bought mine from www.petsandponds.com.  The info on the packaging recommends 3 inches of Eco Complete.  I have about 2-1/2 inches in my tank.

You got some awesome carpet cover but can't see what colour is the Eco-system substrate?
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: charlie on August 17, 2007, 07:59:08 PM
Quote from: dan2x38 on August 17, 2007, 07:31:26 PM
You got some awesome carpet cover but can't see what colour is the Eco-system substrate?
Dan,i think Ecco complete is only available in black.
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on September 21, 2007, 05:18:03 PM
I pulled out all the glossostigma elatinoides in the tank and replanted because it was getting way too thick.  I also moved some plants around.  It took hours!  I couldn't believe how much glosso I had.  It filled out 1/3 of the 75 gallon tank when they were all uprooted.

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Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: Jeff1192 on September 21, 2007, 08:05:30 PM
Wow that's a really nice tank. I think I actually like it more now that you can see some more of the substrate. I think it makes the other plants stand out more. Very nice.

Jeff
Title: Re: Planted Tank Progression
Post by: leng on September 21, 2007, 08:32:25 PM
Thanks.  I like the completely green tank with no substrte showing.  I am planning on using Hemianthus Callitricoide "cuba" the next time.