Au naturelle

[Melody]

I have had the lighting for awesome plant growth in the 90G for quite some time, but I haven't put any effort into planting it. Its time to do that.... past time actually.

Since I am getting plants in and knowing myself, that will set me on a buying spree for more, I'd like to do it right and ask a few questions rather than planting and expecting them to grow because I said so.

I will not be doing C02 - I'm just not into it to that degree and its not good for the snailbies.

I would like to go au naturelle - let the fish do the fertilizing for the most part. If I don't obtain optimum growth rates, that doesn't bother me, as long as the plants remain decent looking. I do add a dash of seasalt to the tank, not enough to raise the salinity to any degree, but it does add minerals. I also add a few drops of calcium for the snails. If I find out that the inverts can tolerate it, I'll supplement what the fish can't naturally produce, such as iron.

Algae growth doesn't bother me - the snails need it, so I don't have to worry about balance in that respect.

I'm sure there are others who don't fuss too much over their plants. Anyone else go the au naturelle route? What will I absolutely need to add because the fish don't supply it? I'm not sure of what species I'll be getting and I know that will make a difference in the answer, but something in general would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Tanya in Moncton NB]

I guess I go natural in my 75g. All I have over top is a glass top with a shop light resting on top. The bulbs are normal office ones, I'm not even sure of the K value.

I've had this tank running for over a year and it's doing very well. I hardly have any algae probably since I have like 6 abn's and a few otos in there!

The growth has been steady but slow..which is fine with me since I don't need to prune. I have some amazon swords, vals, crypts, java ferns, etc.

As far as fertilizers, I don't add any...but there's lot of poop in there! Those plecos are a little wood rasping factory!

I say go for it! In my experience the cool looking red plants all melted away and the crypts don't like to be moved.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/craftythumbs/75g/pets011.jpg

[Melody]

You sound just exactly like me...lol...and your tank looks fabulous! I do like the idea of fast growing plants to hide the fry and keep the parameters balanced, but I can make sure I have plants that grow fast naturally. The others can take their time.

I haven't a clue what my wattage is, but it could land planes....lol...Member Carlos built this hood, complete with reflectors, all intended to grow plants:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-90GCanopy.jpg


So I definitly have the lighting covered. I figure those plants that need C02 won't do so great, since I also have plenty of water movement at the surface.

I'm going to snag some more pots since they're at clearance prices this time of year. I was even thinking of getting one of those long, shallow trough style planters and putting it along the back, partially buried in the gravel.

http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/02/50/fe/19/38862361.JPG
{Photo: My Simon}

My substrate is too heavy and shallow for plants so pots it is. I have some large & shallow Terra Cotta pots in there already.

[grumpystiltskin]

I have a 30g tank which is left natural, the plant growth is very slow,compared to my 240g which has injected c02, and regular ferts. I also notice the leaves of one plant ( rotala ) in the natural tank, grow tiny compared to the other tank.
This is how i dose my 240g tank, sounds high tech, but really easy
Macro solution
In 1 liter bottle:
59 grams K2SO4 (Potassium Sulfate)
65 grams KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate)
6 grams KH2PO4 (Mono Potassium Phosphate)
41 grams MgSO4 (Magnesium Sulfate)
Fill with distilled water and shake well. Let sit overnight.
Micro solution
In 1 liter bottle:
80 grams of CSM+B or equivalent trace element mix
The ratio is 1ml for every ten gallons, of each mix every morning, as simple as that lol
As you can imagine the growth rate is really fast, sometimes weekly trimming.This week Melody gets all of my trimmings:smile: .
I think one of the most important ferts to add is iron, i hanvt added any in my 30g, and a lot of the plants are getting holes in the leaves, which is apparently a lack of iron.

Mick

[grumpystiltskin]

Melody, you got a post in as i was writng mine :laugh:
Have a look at your light bulbs, they should have the wattage printed on one of the ends of the tube, too much light and you will need c02!!

[Melody]

No I won't. I told Mr. Mykiss the same thing. Why? Because I said so....lol.

Found the box for the replacement bulbs. They're Life-Glo 2: 6700K, 40w x 4 bulbs on a 90G.

[Melody]

Oh yeah, with glomats of some sort too, if that matters.

[grumpystiltskin]

Perfect Melody, thats not too much light, but enough to make the plants grow, and the tank to look nice:smile: .
Im going to be bagging your plants today after golf, usually sunday is clean fish tanks day. but im having a ME day today lol.

[Melody]

Sounds like a "Me & Mel" day to me...lol....no worries on when you ship them - enjoy your R & R. Thanks for your help!

[Melody]

Think I could grow Cabomba (green & red) & Foxtail (Myriophyllum tuberculatum red) in there? I've always loved those plants and similar ones, and they are great for fry hiding.::D:

[hp10BII]

Did you want to make your own ferts or commerical? I do both, for commercial, I like Tropica Mastergrow, it's good for the trace elements as Tropica feels that most of the Macro elements ie. Nitrogen would be in good supply from the tank inhabitants.

I'm not into CO2, 30ml per week of Tropica in a 120 gallon with root tabs for the heavier root feeders with more than enough lighting and I don't have algae problems other than occasional BBA. I haven't had any problems trying to grow any planted that I wanted to grow so far...

[Melody]

If I fertilize, it will be a premix for sure. I'm a lazy plant grower....lol. Thanks!

[hp10BII]

hmmm...seems like Tropica is rebranding, new packaging new products:

http://www.tropica.dk/article.asp?type=tropica&id=733

[Gramma]

I am very new at this. For what it is worth, I have had the most success with any of the many crypts and hygros, the Ludwigia repens "Rubin" which is red and the Limnophila sessiliflora, a java fern and a moss ball which I have flattened carefully and attached to the driftwood. I have others that I have lost or am still babying along. I seem to have trouble with things that do not have long roots - just do not want to stay put, which hampers their growth.

Ask the experts about all the technical stuff. Good luck.

[blainep]

I would guess my tanks are about as low tech as it gets. Low light, no added ferts or CO2.
I find that I get my best results from Amazon swords, Vals (straight Vals, Twisted Vals - no luck), Cabomba, Wysteria, Crypts, Annubias, Java ferns, Najas Grass and Mosses.

The Najas grass really takes off as soon as it roots, it will fill a 20gal tank in a couple of months. It will grow either floating or rooted, but if you want lots of it, plant it and wait for it to root. Only down side is that snails love it, even the Non plant eaters will munch on it.

[Melody]

I am very new at this. For what it is worth, I have had the most success with any of the many crypts and hygros, the Ludwigia repens "Rubin" which is red and the Limnophila sessiliflora, a java fern and a moss ball which I have flattened carefully and attached to the driftwood. I have others that I have lost or am still babying along. I seem to have trouble with things that do not have long roots - just do not want to stay put, which hampers their growth.

Ask the experts about all the technical stuff. Good luck.

Experts are great, but I'll never be one so its great to hear about what works for the average non-expert, thanks!

[Melody]

I would guess my tanks are about as low tech as it gets. Low light, no added ferts or CO2.
I find that I get my best results from Amazon swords, Vals (straight Vals, Twisted Vals - no luck), Cabomba, Wysteria, Crypts, Annubias, Java ferns, Najas Grass and Mosses.

The Najas grass really takes off as soon as it roots, it will fill a 20gal tank in a couple of months. It will grow either floating or rooted, but if you want lots of it, plant it and wait for it to root. Only down side is that snails love it, even the Non plant eaters will munch on it.


Good stuff! I wonder if the low light makes the Najas soft enough for the non-plant-eaters? That was my mistake with Najas though, I bet, I didn't plant any of it, I floated it. I still have a small piece around here somewhere, but it didn't grow much.:no: Glad to hear that I can do Cabomba!

[Melody]

... and now I have more pots & some ferts! Thanks Mr. GP!

[thegrandpoohbah]

You're welcome. Now where's the pictures?

[Melody]

I can't do pic's until I get the other plants from Mr. Grumpy over there :laugh:

[Melody]

I actually planted something on the same day I got it - this is a big step for me...lol. Talk about random planting... I forgot just how much fun it is for a 5'3" woman to plant a 90G:rolleyes: . Two planting tools and basically wherever they stayed put, they stayed put. Now for the next round...

[thegrandpoohbah]

:laugh: @ Melody! Now you HAVE to post some pics of the tank.

[Melody]

Oh noooooo, you have to wait until I have 'randomly planted' the entire thing. What a treat that will be!

Now wouldn't y'all be shocked if it all grows in and wins an aquascaping contest for the most natural look? I will call the work "Au Naturelle a la petite madamoiselle".::D: How was that Mr. Zapisto? Did I masacre the French language? Or did I just say I'm naked? ROFL

[Melody]

Just for Mr. GP...

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/001.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/015.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/018.jpg


I don't have the airline hood back on yet so this is the best I could do by lamplight.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I'm afraid that we're gonna need full tank shots.

[Katalyst]

And the name of the fish in the last picture. I love swords, so pretty!

[Melody]

I'm afraid that we're gonna need full tank shots.

THAT you have to wait for. The nice Mr. Grumpy has sent me some that should arrive in the next day or two... and even then I may be too embarassed to post them....lol....maybe without the light on. :laugh:

[Melody]

And the name of the fish in the last picture. I love swords, so pretty!

She's a contortionist Neon Lyretail. She's another one I got from Charles so I can't take credit for her. I believe that's the same one in the lower part of the first pic, but I have a few so maybe not. Neons are reasonably common so you may spot one around your LFS's. This one is my fave Neon female:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-NeonLyre-F-2.jpg


She just got more and more striking as she aged. Just lost her last week in fact, which sux. :no:

[CACAdmin]

She sure was a beauty... sorry to hear you lost her.:(

[grumpystiltskin]

THAT you have to wait for. The nice Mr. Grumpy has sent me some that should arrive in the next day or two

Hoping she still thinks im nice when she sees the plants are quite small:( :laugh:

[Melody]

She thinks you're nice for more than planted reasons.... and size doesn't matter. :laugh:

[grumpystiltskin]

LOL thats too funny

[Melody]

Got me a box of plants! They look great, can't wait to get them in there. Hopefully by the weekend. Thanks Mick! I'll call Roger's again tomorrow and see if he got your plants in yet.

[grumpystiltskin]

Sounds good Melody::D:
I,ll have another box for you in about a month, some different plans ,
Im just waiting for them to grow out a bit .