Hello From Berlin

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to present my first planted tank ever, which is now about 1 year old. I'm hoping to get some input/suggestions on ways that I can improve the plant growth and health.

Briefly, I started keeping tanks when I was maybe 9 or 10 and ultimately graduated to a 55gallon when I was 16 or 17 (around 2005). Unfortunately, I didn’t have the discipline, knowledge, or funds, to do what I hoped with that tank. Around that time I discovered Amano's work and was instantly obsessed. I spent the next 10 years moving around for school and work, ultimately ending up in Berlin where I'm doing my PhD. After about a year here I realized my living situation was stable enough for me to get a tank. Since planted tanks are 'a thing' over here, there was lots of great equipment, cheap tanks, and resources to get me started. I had been following developments in planted tanks over those years (out of boredom haha) and was pleased to see that equipment/materials were easier to come by and cheaper than they were back then.

I picked up a rimless 64L (~17gallon) 60x30x35cm tank and, since I'm on a PhD stipend, some Teicherde (pond soil) which some local aquarists have used successfully for 'dirted tanks'. The tank has been going pretty well (at least I can keep the plants alive!), but I'm hoping to get input since some of my plants are definitely a little scraggly. I'm constantly reading more and more on the forum since most things have been asked already. Anyway, I'll save my questions and observations for later! I hope to see some of you in my forthcoming journal thread.

Nice to meet you!

Best,

Patrick