I am creating my first aquarium and I need help

Manoj

Manoj

New Member
I am in the beginning stage of my first aquascaping tank.Right now I had lot of doubt in my mind.Ofcourse I do a lot of search in the net over last one month, and I learn some basics after that I bought my first tank. It is a 60L x 36H x 30W tank. It contain 60 Litter water.My plan and goal is to to create a simple Iwagumi which I inspired from one of other aquascaper.
I like to plant these plants in my aquarium,

1 Hemianthus callitrichoides cuba
2 Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
3 Hydrocotyle sp (tripartita)
4 Blyxa japonica


But before I finalise these plants I realise that "HC cuba is not for beginner".So can you please suggest an alternative for HC cuba ?.

I am planning two 24W T5HO 2ft tube and a DIY co2(2 litter bottle) for this tank. Am I correct or not ?
I am also planning for some (6) Red cherry shrimp in it.(after cycling).
I am using borewell water.
I am going to use Rocks which are easly availavable near my home.(the same we people are using for home foundation)

I need a general and focused advise regarding the above thoughts,which is how to plant,what amount of water will I change and how freequently from the first day, lighting time duration from the first day of planting, and other tank maintains like cleaning glass and filter.
 
Hi Manoj,

But before I finalise these plants I realise that "HC cuba is not for beginner".So can you please suggest an alternative for HC cuba ?.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately there is no 'easy' alternative that exactly look that HC Cuba. But you could consider Marsilea Crenata or Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo'. You can find descriptions about them on Tropica's webpage (just put a dot com after it and change language to English).

They require some CO2 but 'full blow' like HC. Alternatively you could just use some mosses instead.

Regarding the various advice you need, I encourage you to check out the Tropica website in general and download their app used for starting up a new tank.

Good luck!

PS: I have no personal affiliation with Tropica but found there way of dividing plants into categories very useful when I started in the hobby.
 
Hi Manoj.

I am planning two 24W T5HO 2ft tube and a DIY co2(2 litter bottle) for this tank. Am I correct or not ?
Click to expand...

The 24W T5 will work out to around 2 watts per gallon, which is pretty good. You may see some algae though if you can't keep the CO2 levels consistent and high enough for the plants. This means that you may need to reduce the light intensity by raising the light, reducing the light duration or by turning the light down if possible.

I need a general and focused advise regarding the above thoughts,which is how to plant,what amount of water will I change and how freequently from the first day, lighting time duration from the first day of planting, and other tank maintains like cleaning glass and filter.
Click to expand...

Water changes: It is hard to give an accurate answer without asking you a couple more questions.
1. What substrate will you be using?
2. What fertilizer will you be using?
3. What fish are you going to keep and how many?

Lighting duration: It is safer to start at a lower light duration and work your way up. I would start at 6 hours first, then possibly increase this to 7-8 hours after a while.

Cleaning glass: This depends on how much algae you have on the glass. In a well balanced tank (without algae eaters) you may need to clean the glass every 2-3 weeks, and even then there should only be a small amount of algae. I use an algae magnet cleaner.

Cleaning filter:

I have the following setup in my canister (from bottom to top):
Coarse sponge
Biomedia
Fine filter wool

Here's my maintenance regime:
I change the fine filter wool every 6-8 weeks to ensure good flow.
I rinse the coarse sponge in aquarium water to get rid of the built-up mulm every 3-4 months. Only gently.
I rinse the biomedia in aquarium water every 5-6 months to get rid of the built-up mulm. Very gently.
 
Manoj

My first suggestion would be to start a Journal.

Once you have done that it would be advisable to ask one question at a time and discuss the replies, then when your concern has been answered and you fully understand what has to be done, move onto the next concern.

By doing that I am positive you will have more replies.

As you are in the learning stage it does not happen over night there is a lot to learn and it will take time for you to fully understand about fish keeping and Aquascaping.

I also suggest you do a lot of research here on ASW.

Keith:):)
 
seriously, don't rush into things. Take your time and understand all the different parts of a successful planted tank. With the t5ho's you could carpet the Hydrocotyle sp (tripartita). the tough part will be keeping your co2 steady enough to prevent algae. You need to think about your substrate, what the plants grow in, first. Plants need the right nutrients. You could go with a specialty substrate for planted tanks like ADA amazonia, or go with some sand(the sand would need to have the right fertilizers in it to sustain growth). if you're confused about what I'm talking about hold off on starting your tank and do more research and ask more questions.
Good luck!
 
cmathews95 said:
seriously, don't rush into things. Take your time and understand all the different parts of a successful planted tank. With the t5ho's you could carpet the Hydrocotyle sp (tripartita). the tough part will be keeping your co2 steady enough to prevent algae. You need to think about your substrate, what the plants grow in, first. Plants need the right nutrients. You could go with a specialty substrate for planted tanks like ADA amazonia, or go with some sand(the sand would need to have the right fertilizers in it to sustain growth). if you're confused about what I'm talking about hold off on starting your tank and do more research and ask more questions.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your replay,I go through the TROPICA easy ,medium,advanced plant serese and and I changed my mind so now I stick with the "EASY"
plants. I have fluval stratum substrate.My goal is to achieve a carpeted tank with a mixture of light green dark green and it must looks like little wild,
but unfortunately I have no idea for choosing plants can u help me ?
 
A mix of crypts and java fern will give you that contrast you're looking for. IMO a carpet of the hydrocytle will stand out nicely in front of the crypts and java fern. Throw some anubias nana petite or Anubias in between the border of the crypts/java fern and hydrocytle carpet and I'd say you're of to a good start!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Manoj

We know you live in India and that is a very large area if you add your location someone might know where you can go and look at what plants are available in your area.

To give us an idea draw up a good plan of the tank to include all the hardscape as well.

The other way is make a mock up of your tank (use a cardboard box) no front lay out all your hardscape get that right first then think about the planting.

What have you done/got as far as hardscape?

Keith:):)
 
Last edited:
ezehu4ub.jpg
yguvy5y5.jpg


Basically the java fern and crypts emerge flowing out of the tangled center of driftwood. At the base are a few rocks. Anubias grows around the rocks. At the base of these anubias are smaller anubias nana petite, which will provide a transition from the big leaves to the smaller leaves of your foreground carpet of hydrocytle. Good luck!
This is my idea. Hope it helps.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
keithgh said:
Manoj

We know you live in India and that is a very large area if you add your location someone might know where you can go and look at what plants are available in your area.

To give us an idea draw up a good plan of the tank to include all the hardscape as well.

The other way is make a mock up of your tank (use a cardboard box) no front lay out all your hardscape get that right first then think about the planting.

What have you done/got as far as hardscape?

Keith:):)
Click to expand...
Hai keith I have some sources to get plants.One of my friend who is living in Bangloor and he will send whatever plant I have asked.So the plant is not a problem(I think).by the way I am Living in "KERALAM"(the gods own country:)).for hardscape I got some small drift wood and rock.I cant come to a decision weather to choose rock or driftwood.My first choice is rock but will it give me a wild bushy scape,I see a lot of rock scapes but those are all simple and neet and clean(iwagumi).

My goal is to achieve like this
http://www.aquascapingworld.com/competition/?page=aquascape&idAquascape=207

(not the design the combination of light green and dark green and black, and the small and large leafs plants)
 
Thank u
cmathews95 said:
ezehu4ub.jpg
yguvy5y5.jpg


Basically the java fern and crypts emerge flowing out of the tangled center of driftwood. At the base are a few rocks. Anubias grows around the rocks. At the base of these anubias are smaller anubias nana petite, which will provide a transition from the big leaves to the smaller leaves of your foreground carpet of hydrocytle. Good luck!
This is my idea. Hope it helps.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
thank you for your kindness,I will try to follow your advice.
 
Rockamptree1.jpg


Manoj

This is what I am referring to a mock hardscape all it is a cardboard box and some sand, once you have that sorted out then you can work out your planting.

Having an idea of what plants to use is a good idea but by doing a mock up you can work out if the plants you have chosen will be suitable for your hard scape.

Keith:):)
 
keithgh said:
Rockamptree1.jpg


Manoj

This is what I am referring to a mock hardscape all it is a cardboard box and some sand, once you have that sorted out then you can work out your planting.

Having an idea of what plants to use is a good idea but by doing a mock up you can work out if the plants you have chosen will be suitable for your hard scape.

Keith:):)
Click to expand...
That is a nice idea thank u:):)
 
cmathews95 said:
ezehu4ub.jpg
yguvy5y5.jpg


Basically the java fern and crypts emerge flowing out of the tangled center of driftwood. At the base are a few rocks. Anubias grows around the rocks. At the base of these anubias are smaller anubias nana petite, which will provide a transition from the big leaves to the smaller leaves of your foreground carpet of hydrocytle. Good luck!
This is my idea. Hope it helps.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Sorry I cant understand which crypts is you are mentioning please clarify me:( and which anubias too
 
Last edited:
The anubias is the purple circles under the wood. The nana petite is the pink circles. The orange leaves are the crypts. The crypts are scattered through the java fern.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Manoj

That is what I mean by planning do one step at a time get it right then move onto the next step.

I am planning an open garden 45lt Terrarium tank it has taken me several months of hard research to finally work out exactly what I want.
(I thought I had every thing planned then all of a sudden I cannot get the plants I require (non aquarium), that meant a massive rethink to get to where I am now)

Next step is planning how I am going lay out all the hardscape and the 3 mediums then do it.

I came up in a very old trade schooling "Think twice then think again then get the job done" by doing that there is a 99.9% chance every thing will go to plan.

Keith:):)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top