I eventually want to have live plants in my aquarium to make it look similar to this months "tank of the month winner."

I know some of these questions will probably sound stupid, but I'm gonna annoy all of you and ask anyway....

Is it hard to siphon around the plants, or do I have to take the plants out to siphon? Or, do I even have to siphon at all, because maybe the plants will eat all of the left-over gunk in the aquarium?

when I buy the plants, do I have to quarantine them and treat them so snails won't invade my tanks?

What are root tabs?

Does anyone have Marimo balls? Do gf eat them?

Do I need to put any additives in the water (beside basic water conditioner) to help them grow? Is fish poo/left over food enough for them to eat?

Does anyone have Marimo balls? Do gf eat them?

I'd probably already have an aquarium full of live plants, but none of the pet stores around here sell any of the plants gf don't eat.

Can anyone reccomend a reputable online retailer?

I siphon my tanks with live plants in, i don’t take the plants out as i can pull and damage the roots. All my plants are along the back and sides so siphoning is still relatively easy.

Will have think on other questions.

okay, few more things looked into;



This is a site koko recommended for details on plants.. http://www.tropica.com/default.asp (click dealers link) this page may be of help to you as I don’t know where you are located. You could always try EBay???



“It has something to do with the specific type of algae that is a marimo ball. Everything that I have heard says that no fish will eat these things” Some one told me that – but first hand experience, never had them so I have no idea – sorry.




I personally don’t but I have found this article: http://home.infinet.net/teban/how-to.html


hope it helps

Courtesy of ariumpharm.com,
Nourish The Roots With Root Tabs
Aquarium plants require a fertilizer program to produce green, lush foliage and strong roots. Without proper fertilization, aquarium plants gradually yellow, drop their leaves, and die. Root Tabs are designed exclusively for aquarium plants. When placed in the gravel on a monthly basis, Root Tabs provide the essential nutrients aquarium plants need. Root Tabs are formulated to supply aquarium plants with potassium, magnesium, iron, and sulfur. They also contain First Layer Pure Laterite. Aquatic plants will absorb these nutrients through their roots. Root Tabs will help new plants get a vigorous start and keep established plants flourishing. Distribute the tablets evenly throughout the aquarium by pushing them midway into the gravel bed at the base of the plants.

Courtesy of plantedtank.net,
Substrate Fertilizers
Many plants (Swords,Crypts etc.) feed primarily through their root systems and need to be fed accordingly. There are fertilizers sold on the market in tablet form which get pushed into your substrate at the root base of the plant. Popular brands are Tetra Initial Sticks, Flourish Tabs, Root Tabs Use these per package instruction and always bury them deep in substrate.

Not sure if this is useful or not???? I hadn’t heard of root tabs until I read your post

last one:



from a post on here:
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/forum/index.p...1&hl=quarantine


with plants!!

Hi,
My tank is the current "Tank of the Month", and I am so happy that you like it It is a 66 gallon tank lighted with four 40 watt full spectrum fluorescent lights.

I siphon my tank once per week, when I do my weekly water change. I use a gravel vac and go around the plants. I don't shove the siphon down deep into the gravel around the plants, I just push it gently around the plants and that seem to do the trick. Plants will keep your gravel "sweet" and will prevent anaerobic bacteria from developing. In the unplanted areas of the tank, you will have to do more thorough gravel vacuuming, however, in the plants areas you really are just doing the surface.

You can dip plants in a 19 part water, 1 part bleach solution to prevent any snails or parasites from entering your tank. Rinse very well several times with clear water, and use a dechlorinator in the final rinse water.

I use Flourish Tabs in my tank. I use them according to the directions, and put them in about once every 6 weeks or so. There are also products to use as gravel supplements. You mix these with the gravel when first setting up the tank. I didn't use them when I set my tank up, though. Mine was a learning experience

If you have a very heavily planted tank, such as the one that is Tank of the Month, then you will have to do supplementary feeding. I fertilize everyday with a homemade fertilizer mixture. It is a common recipe that is seen on many websites called PMDD (which stands for Poor Man's Dosing Drops, or some people say Poor Man's Dupla Drops). I dose 1.25 ml per day in my tank, and that seems to keep everything growing well. I also use a daily dose of Seachem Flourish Excel (which is a carbon supplement). Seachem also makes a very good fertilizer called Flourish, but is more expensive than the homemade version.

I currently have hygrophilia polysperma, java fern, java moss, cryptocornes, rotala indica, vallesnaria and nymphea in this tank and the goldfish do not bother any of these.

I have never tried the moss balls, but I think they are neat looking. I saw them for sale once around here, but I didn't buy one and haven't seen them since.

Please feel free to ask questions.

WOW!!! You two have helped me SOOOO much!!! You don't know how much I appreciate it!

hehehe! marimo balls!!! no fish eat them! lovely!

OH!!! and I don't have to buy treatment for snails! I can use the bleach I already have!!!! Lovely! And I can make "me" own fertilizer!

It might take me awhile to do this....money is tight right now, but I will! hehehe!

Oh, and touchofsky, your tank IS lovely! but still, it's small and hard to see. could you possibly post a larger pic in here for me to see?

Again, thanks alot!

Hi,
I hope this picture is easier to see

Nice Tank!!