Anyone here into planted tanks?

[Mattl22]

I've really been admiring planted tanks was wondering if anyone here has one what r the requirements maybe some pics?

 

[dj ze]

i ran one years ago i had a 56 gallon it's a lot of work even more than a reef but it can be really beautiful i still miss it today you would need to buy the dirt for it dose trace elements and supply oxygen with a difuser lighting consists of 2 to 3 wt per gallon power compacts are excellent but led's now would be even better and water is best kept at 78 to 80 degrees if done right you have to be constantly pruning just like a garden

 

[Mattl22]

Wow Very nice I like the ones that r totally grown in with like 30 sm schooling fish
More work then a reef I already spend like 10 hrs a week on that

 

[dj ze]

yes at times it can be more work than some reef setups depending on the selection of plants some plants are more demanding than others just like corals but like i said if done right you could be cutting down plants every other day i had plants growing out of the tank every week depending on the size of the tank you don't need an oxygen tank you can suplement with another method but oxygen is the best way to go i still have the equipment if your interested

 

[KathyC]

If you look further down our home page there is a Freshwater Forum here on MR

There are some pics of some beautiful planted tanks in there!

 

[dj ze]

do a google or youtube of takashi amano he's considered god when it comes to planted tanks

 

[bizzarro]

Check out www.plantedtank.net for some low tech planted tank ideas.

 

[jeffvmd]

+1 on bizzarro
That's the site that I frequently go to for my FW tanks.
Here are some shots of my FW set up.

My fluval edge before converting it to a mini reef

20gal Long

10g divided tank holding 2 shrimp species

Another divided 10g as plant trimming holding/endler tank and blue shrimp specie tank

 

[smoq]

Your FW tanks are amazing Jeff. I think you'll have no problem with SW just by looking at how well your planted aquariums look. I will have to PM you about shrimps and snails soon, my assassins ate every single snail and are now cannibalistic

 

[fishman1069]

WOW. Those are beautiful tanks Jeff! My wife wants to set up a planted tank. I told her to do her research first because she going to have to do more work then I do on my reef lol

 

[jeffvmd]

@smoq - Thanks. I have a lot of pond snails, ramshorn snails and I just recently got some malaysian trumpet snails. Just let me know and i can send a lot of em your way.
Assassins are real cannibals and will hunt every other snail specie together with them in your tank.:dead1:

@fishman1069 - Thanks too. Good thing your wife is into fish tanks too. Mine is asking me to cut down on tanks.:frown:
Plantedtank.net is a really good resource or APC is a good one too for her to start research.
Feel free to ask me too and I'll do what I can to help you get started in planted tanks as well.

 

[Og Drogon]

@Jeffvmd dude those are some beautiful tanks you have going there

 

[jeffvmd]

Thanks xDAVMANx.
I just took down the 2 10gallons I have and have it in just 1 20 gal long divided into 3 slots. The wife commaned that I downsize in tank number so I said I'll just combine them into 1 so she can get her kitchen space back.
They'll be planted shrimp breeding and endler breeding tank.

 

[Reef Reaper]

mattl22, i have extra freshwater plants , if you are going to start a planted tank.

 

[Mattl22]

Thanks for the offer I wish I could no room in small apt maybe when I get a house