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Plant basics?
On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:30:11 -0700, Liz McGuire
wrote: All, I've been doing a lot of research on how to keep plants and am hoping someone would be kind enough to confirm or correct my conclusions and answer some questions. 1. I understand that different plants need varying amounts of light and some need a substrate while others will attach to rocks or driftwood; also, different plants grow to different sizes. This should all be researched and the proper plants/conditions chosen/arranged. Makes sense. Can anyone give a general listing of how many watts per gallon equate to low, medium and high lighting? There seems to be some difference in the light requirements with very small tanks (those under 10g?) - is it that they need more watts per gallon (because the wattage is so low) or that they don't need as many watts because they're more shallow, or....? 2. Plants need carbon - this can come from CO2 (either what's in the water or from an injection system) or from a liquid like Flourish Excel. There are tests to measure CO2 in water, these or the instructions on the bottle (plus observation) can be used to determine amounts needed. 3. Plants need nutrients. From what I've read, it's possible they'll get enough ammonia, nitrite, nitrate from the fish (but testing is needed and if the nitrate is too low, it may be necessary to add nitrate). Phosphate may come from your water; depending on how much your water has, you may need to add some. There are test kits for this. Potassium - this probably needs to be added. There are some tests, but they seem rare and pretty expensive. Probably best to follow the directions for the fertilizer and/or use "nutrient deficiency" symptoms to determine if this is needed. "Trace nutrients" - it seems like the amount needed is based on the results of iron tests or that you simply add based on the recommendations on the bottle. (Is it safe to assume that calcium, magnesium and sulfate tests aren't needed (for the average person)?). Which of these (trace, nitrate, phosphate, potassium) can come from the substrate (at least for plants planted in the substrate)? Do any of these nutrients leach into the water for plants not planted in the substrate? Assuming the plants, lighting, carbon (dioxide), substrate and fertilizers are all properly selected / applied, one should have a healthy planted tank, no? Thanks, Liz Wow Liz! I would hardly call your interest "basics." I am a minamalist with "Low Light" tanks. Somewhere around 1.5 watts/gallon is the number I remember. I use no CO2 nor fertilizers. I didn't see any mention of gravel, my tanks have different gravel types and I believe I have seen different growth patterns. Light wave lengths may be as important as strength. I have one 10 gallon tank with 15 watts of light, but the plant growth has been minimal, where as in two other 10 gallon tanks with same plant stocks, the growth has been much fuller. I have a mysterious difference between my 29 and 75 gallon tanks. Same crypt stock, but in the 29 gallon tanks they are weeds needing constant pruning and growing so long the tops lay over whereas the 75 gallon tank has healthy growth and needs modertate pruning as they spread, but the same stock is less than 6 inches tall 14 inches tall in the 29 gallon. Good luck, sounds like a lifetime project. dick |
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