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DavidDoyle · 04-07-2005, 08:49 AM

- Incan light is not good for plants.

- co2 levels in a tank w/ surface aggitation will be the same as those in the air. Supplimental co2 starts to become necessary as you approach the 2-2.5 wpg level. Any filter whose output can be below the surface and does not roil the surface will help hold co2 in the water.

- Anubias are best at low light levels. They are slow growers and when given too much light will normally become covered w/ algae

- Plants that need more than low light levels will often shade their lower leaves as they grow and bush out which will reduce the light going to the bottom parts which can then begin to die off. A correltion to this is deep tanks will have the same problem getting enough light to the bottom.

- Most low light plants need minimal to no fertilizers added. Fish poop and water changes will supply what they need.

- Many plants such as anubias, ferns and moss do not need any substrate at all. Many others will grow fine in an established tank w/o special gravel, Other plants will not grow w/o it. Do your homework to learn which are which.

-Small planted tanks do best when kept simple as you have little flexibility and almost no room for error regarding adding ferts etc. in extrememly small doses.

04-07-2005, 08:49 AM	#3
DavidDoyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 89 Posts: 496	Re: plants for my new tank - Incan light is not good for plants. - co2 levels in a tank w/ surface aggitation will be the same as those in the air. Supplimental co2 starts to become necessary as you approach the 2-2.5 wpg level. Any filter whose output can be below the surface and does not roil the surface will help hold co2 in the water. - Anubias are best at low light levels. They are slow growers and when given too much light will normally become covered w/ algae - Plants that need more than low light levels will often shade their lower leaves as they grow and bush out which will reduce the light going to the bottom parts which can then begin to die off. A correltion to this is deep tanks will have the same problem getting enough light to the bottom. - Most low light plants need minimal to no fertilizers added. Fish poop and water changes will supply what they need. - Many plants such as anubias, ferns and moss do not need any substrate at all. Many others will grow fine in an established tank w/o special gravel, Other plants will not grow w/o it. Do your homework to learn which are which. -Small planted tanks do best when kept simple as you have little flexibility and almost no room for error regarding adding ferts etc. in extrememly small doses.