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RE: aeration and plants

painthorse77 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:22:31 GMT

I have low light in my tank as well and have found that the vals do the best. For an easier fix you can always buy a higher wattage lightbulb for 10-20 dollars and it will last you a long time. The higher wattage or one more light bulb will give you a little more varity to the types of plants you can buy. Be careful going to fish stores and buying plants from them. Many sell terrium plants as true aquatic and do not tell you that.

ETA: The filter you have is good. I have one and have been using it for 4 years. It is still going strong.:)

RE: aeration and plants

Hailey — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:26:27 GMT

Frogs would be affected by the ammonia and nitrite spikes as well, so cycling with them is best avoided. The better way to cycle is fishless cycling. Here's some info on that. http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/misc/fishlesscycling.html I have a more detailed description and set of instructions too if you want it.

RE: aeration and plants

muskrat13 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:24:33 GMT

thanks , my tank is ready and began cycling ,it has an hob filter, shallow creek gravel(fishstore brand) ,1 peice of upright driftwood , 1 rock transfered from other already cycled tank, row of young twisted val in backround,1 amazon sword in foreground ,. is it possible to cycle the tank(10 gallon) using 2 african dwarf frogs since they would produce waist and not be affected by the spikes of amonia and nitrites???

RE: aeration and plants

Hailey — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:50:48 GMT

With only 1.5 watts per gallon of light, your tank is considered "low-light", and plants need to be purchased accordingly. Only a small selection of plants can survive in that light (compared to what is available for all light types I mean...it's actually plenty of types of plants to have a really lovely tank). Cabomba and moneywort probably won't work since those plants need higher light. Here is a list of low light plants you can try. http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=1&filter_by=2

If you are willing to spend money upgrading the light, perhaps adding CO2 injection, changing the gravel to a planted tank substrate, and fertilizing you can go for other plants, but I'd stick with what you have for right now and stock accordingly unless you have a couple hundred dollars to burn.

RE: aeration and plants

David Lass — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:40:55 GMT

"HOB" = Hang On Back filter -- like the "waterfall one you havce. You don't need any other aeration. To decide what plants to keep I would suggest that you go to your local fish store, and see what plants do well for them. Just make sure you only get true aquatic plants --not marsh plants that will just die underwater.

RE: aeration and plants

muskrat13 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:15:55 GMT

HOB? ,definition please...........its a ten gallon tank and its a 15 watt light

RE: aeration and plants

Hailey — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:47:13 GMT

You don't need aeration beyond a HOB filter, and the plants you can keep depend on your light level and the work and money you are willing to put into the tank. What size is the tank, and how many watts is your light?

aeration and plants

muskrat13 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:16:15 GMT

Hey all, i have decided to use live plants in my first aquarium ,and so far i have decided on cabomba,java fern, and money wart are these good plants for the beginner?

ANd i was wondering with a fair amount of plants and an aqua clear power filter (good filter?) which makes the little "water fall" do i need seperater aeration.