This is my first planted tank and would appreciate it if someone could make sure I'm headed in the right direction to start.
I just planted my 46 gallon tank 2 days ago. I'm adding a picture of the tank because I don't know if it's considered heavily planted or not. No fish yet. No CO2, but I will be dosing with Excel every day at 1.5 the recommended amount. 96 watts of light for 8 hours (compact flourescent). Eco-Complete 2.5 inches deep at least.
My goal is to have a nicely planted tank that doesn't require weekly pruning. The tank will eventually house a school of 10 or so small fish and a few otto's. I'd like to be able to stretch out water changes every 2-4 weeks, though I'll do what I need to have healthy fish and plants.
I have not dosed the tank yet. Is it better to wait a couple weeks until some roots grow into the substrate? I'm assuming they can get what they need from the Eco-Complete at first.
I didn't want to add any fish yet as I'm afraid they'll bump out some of the plants that don't have roots at this point.
My plan is:
-Excel, daily 7.5 ml (1.5 the rec dosage)
-KNO3, 1/4 teaspoon, 1x a week
-KH2PO4, 1/16 teaspoon, 1x a week
-Traces, 5mls, 1/16 teaspoon, 1x a week
-50% water change......every other week?
Does the above schedule seem reasonable to use to start with?
Most of what Tom writes is over my head but I'm starting to understand some basics at least.
My one concern is the BBA. I've read that Tom says that low light tanks shouldn't have water changes done often because it encourage algae. Does that not apply if I'm dosing with Excel daily?
I just planted my 46 gallon tank 2 days ago. I'm adding a picture of the tank because I don't know if it's considered heavily planted or not. No fish yet. No CO2, but I will be dosing with Excel every day at 1.5 the recommended amount. 96 watts of light for 8 hours (compact flourescent). Eco-Complete 2.5 inches deep at least.
My goal is to have a nicely planted tank that doesn't require weekly pruning. The tank will eventually house a school of 10 or so small fish and a few otto's. I'd like to be able to stretch out water changes every 2-4 weeks, though I'll do what I need to have healthy fish and plants.
I have not dosed the tank yet. Is it better to wait a couple weeks until some roots grow into the substrate? I'm assuming they can get what they need from the Eco-Complete at first.
I didn't want to add any fish yet as I'm afraid they'll bump out some of the plants that don't have roots at this point.
My plan is:
-Excel, daily 7.5 ml (1.5 the rec dosage)
-KNO3, 1/4 teaspoon, 1x a week
-KH2PO4, 1/16 teaspoon, 1x a week
-Traces, 5mls, 1/16 teaspoon, 1x a week
-50% water change......every other week?
Does the above schedule seem reasonable to use to start with?
Most of what Tom writes is over my head but I'm starting to understand some basics at least.
My one concern is the BBA. I've read that Tom says that low light tanks shouldn't have water changes done often because it encourage algae. Does that not apply if I'm dosing with Excel daily?
