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Mansoor
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Location: Mumbra
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 Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:35 pm Post subject: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted tank |
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A warm hello to all IAH members.
As the subject says i need u guys help in setting up a low tech planted tank
step by step.
4 months back i tried to setup the same but it was a failure at that time.
What i did last time was i
in a 36X15X18 LXBXH tank i used
substrate used was the garden soil 2 inches layer.
2X36 watss pll for 8- 10 hours
bunch of amazon, bacoba and hydrila plants i planted in the tank
but but but all the plants died in next 15-20 days and i again switched back to my bare bottom tank.
But again bug of the planted tank has bitten me very badly and i thought of setting up the planted tank once again.
What i have in my hand now is the tank and the Pll tubes.
So waiting for the fellow members to guide me step by step to setup my tank once again with budget restriction.
What all economical substrate,soil,fertilizers i needed and from where to get here in Mumbai.
Thanks In Advance
Mansoor Khan |
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Mansoor
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| Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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possibly if u guys can PM me the approximate costing of each of the items required for this setup
Thanks
Mansoor Khan |
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Mansoor
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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47 views
but still no reply
Amazing 
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Sanket
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Joined: Feb 25, 2011
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Location: Pune-18°29'49.8"N 73°48'38.7"E
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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1) If u r planing to plant only amazon, bacopa and hydrilla u can use normal golden river sand 3inches minimum because amazon needs that much. Or u can put red potting soil at bottom and golden river gravel on top.
2)your tank is approx 42gal so lighting u willl need is min 2-2.5 wt/gal. 8 hrs photo period is ok.
3)U will need CO2. go for DIY setup.
4)amazon needs a lot of iron so u will have to dose seperate only iron fert with micro and macro.
(I am not a fert expert my LFS makes all ferts for me at cheap price)
For costing and sources, mumbai guys will help u.... |
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crazzyarchh
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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Hi Mansoor,
garden soil has to be topped with gravel or river sand else it will cloud the water and result in algae.
Your tank is 40 gallon and the lights are about 1.8 WPG...good enough for a low tech tank.
What about CO2...you can use DIY or liquid source of CO2 (I havent used any of the the two, so wait for other people to reply)
You can grow plants with low demands like anubias, hygrophilia, bacopa, cabomba etc. |
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sandeepraghuvanshi
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Location: Mathura, UP
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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It is not clear why did that setup fail.
I had an old setup with soil substrate, sturdy plants, and it went on for a long time, even my angels spawned in that tank.
I have a old photo of that snap.
For a low tech planted tank, you do not need anything else than what you already have.
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Mansoor
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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thanks man for your reply
but i do not want just to grow amazon,bacopa and hydrila
i want make my tank impressive |
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nandy
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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| Mansoor wrote (View Post):
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thanks man for your reply
but i do not want just to grow amazon,bacopa and hydrila
i want make my tank impressive
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Try crypts, ferns, java moss, anubeas.. |
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naturelover
IAH New Member
Joined: Jan 12, 2011
Posts: 68
Location: Bangalore
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| Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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Hi Mansoor,
You need to buy red clay/german clay (best) or organic manure ( from any garden store) as a plant base. Then put Golden sand (size-3mm) on the top layer. 1.5 to 2 watts per gallon is sufficient for low light plants like Anubias, ferns, mosses, crypts, Hemianthus micranthemum, mints and some grass varieties. you can use diy- Yeast based CO2 with 2 ltr juice bottle.
For more details please call me.
Regards,
Muneer ahmed kabir,
+91-990724190
Bangalore. |
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sushant
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| Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:14 am Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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there are no reasons why your tank didn't succeed in first go ,as already mentioned that the condition provided was almost ideal for plant growth. some of the obvious reason can be:
1) high temperature
2) weak or unhealthy plants to start with.
3) height of the tank (but shouldn't be problematic with plants like hygrophilla and amazon )
4) high basicity |
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Romi
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:23 am Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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| why dont u read up on mineralised vermicompost substrates? they are a great choice for low light low maintenance tanks, i am speaking from experience. |
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Mansoor
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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Thanks for all helpful people out here for their valuable comments and guidance.
Romi : Even i was thinking of using the mineralised vermicompost substrates
Yesterday i read about this on net.
It seems pretty easy and cost effective.
Only thing is that the plants selection for this kind of substrate.
I am not yet able to decide what to grow in this substrate which will look impressive and will be successful in long run.
If you guys could throw some light on this then it will be great.
Does this kind of set up will require to have CO2 in any form ?
I do not want to go for CO2 even for DIY yeast mixture because i tried last time but it was leaking all the time from the bottle. |
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parthapratim22
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Location: KOLKATA>HYDERABAD>DELHI
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| Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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Some very basic point which I learned would definitely like to share with you...Hope it will help you...
1) Substrate: Dont try only garden soil, add something with that like....vermicompost, Humus and cocopeat...I think your local planted hobbyist will able to manage you any of this item. and as a top layer use building sand. Bottom fertile layer 2-3inches top layer 1-1.5 inches. if you can trace SOILRITE in you market best.
2) Plants: Try to collect most commonly available plant, do a small study in internet, which plants require less rich substrate and light...I think your plants are quite OK for low tech...
3) Lighting: you have ok light...but try to increase near 1wpg more for easy growth. you can add one more pll. Height of your tank is quite high…so you need good light…Also use a proper reflector for better effectiveness.
4) CO2: Use DIY CO2.
5) Filtration: You need a good power filter for low cost filtration and also weekly 50% water change is required for healthy growth.
6) Fertilizer: If you are getting anything DIY from your local hobbyist good or else, but some commercial fertz including Macro and Micro and Iron. |
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Mansoor
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| Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Step by Step help needed to set up a low tech planted ta |
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Thanks for all your responses and suggestion.
This is what i have zeroed in terms of substrate
1. Bottom most layer will be an inch of vermicompost.
2.Second layer will be and inch of 50:50 % of vermicompost and garden soil.
3.1 inch layer of garden soil.
4.Top layer will be again 1 inch of either golden sand or river sand
Only change will be there with the light.
I will be using 3X36 watts pll tubes.
Plants : Readily available at LFS or at Natualas from bandra.
Do correct me any thing for substrate or lights. |
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