Just planted my tank -- check out the PICS!!!!

[my name is mike]

things are good -- some plants have died off as i upped the SG (cambomba, watersprite) -- and others have thrived (java fern and java lace, java moss, vals, crypt ciliata, moss balls, hornwort) --

just make sure you acclimate the plants slowly (over a few weeks), include some fast growing plants (like vals and hornwort), and see what makes it -- oh, and do your research to see what plants people have kept successfully in brackish (there arent a ton, but enough to choose from)

ive even moved some over growth from my main 30 gal brackish to my 20 gal brackish that has very little lighting (on 18W i think) and some stuff is doing well, especially the vals, hornwort and java fern. it def grows slower, but it still looks great

this was my first attempt at a planted tank, and it worked out pretty well, -- i like it much better than the plastic alternative --- and if i can do it anyone can !

[mikeosoft]

Are you running CO2 and/or any ferts?

[my name is mike]

no co2 injection - i am using excel 5ml every other day, flourish once or twice a week 5ml i think and iron every week (or whenever i remember it) --

i havent kept a very routine schedule, and i think some things may not have died off if i'd been more vigilant

im thinking of adding more macro nutrients, including nitrates, but worry about adding nitrates with a puffer (any one else have an opinion on this?)

i had thought about co2, but read an article by tom barr about keeping more of a low tech tank, by keeping lighting modest and no co2 -- so i cut my exposure time to 5.5 hours and its kept algae pretty well at bay -- in that article he also talked about adding florush equilibrium and macro nutrients ( i havent done that yet )

[OraLacerta]

This is a beautiful tank, congratulations! I tried keeping java fern but my lighting wasn't really up to par so it never grew. When I move I may try planting my tank after seeing this success...

[my name is mike]

thanks! -- yeah, the java fern does way better in the tank with 2+ watts per gallon and the ferts -- in my small tank, with less than 1 watt, it grows, but slowly and algae coats the leaves from time to time (prob another reason it grows slow) --

[Myaj]

I wouldn't add nitrates to a tank with a puffer, myself.

There's always a line drawn where one side favors conditions best for the fish, one side favors conditions best for the plants. You have to choose which side you want to walk on. With a fish as sensitive to bad water quality as a puffer, I would stay on the safe side and say no added nitrates. Puffers are messy enough on their own and I'm sure provide plenty of nitrates for the plants.

[my name is mike]

yep, i was definately leaning on the side of fish health over plant health --

since ive planted it, i havent bothered cleaning up after every snail feeding (just during weekly water changes) and this seems to keep enough nitrates in there for the plants but not enought to harm the puff --- it never gets above 5 ppm

[Myaj]

Sounds perfect.

[xxReidxx]

Makes me want a F8

[yunachin]

That is an awesome tank setup. I am working on a plant set-up for my brackish tank as well.

[Mynn]

Mike,

Your tank is absolutely beautiful! And that is one hell of a marimo ball you have in there on the right side. I was shocked to read that your water sprite died. I couldn't get mine to stop growing and I was doing things pretty much the same as you. My water is very very hard though. I have a difficult time growing java ferns and java moss. It always looks stunted.

[CtHM]

what are those balls of algae looking thinks! those are cool! =]

[my name is mike]

thanks guys

mynn -- yeah i dont know what the prob was with the water sprite -- maybe i didnt keep it trimmed properly or maybe i didnt acclimate slow enough -- who knows? its a bummer cause i really liked it

CtHM -- those are moss balls, or marimo balls -- and they are totally hands off and easy -- they are kind of expensive though, but im happy i sprung for them