101 Questions and more

So I’ll be doing a fresh aquascape soon in a new tank and I have a TON of questions!

How do I know which lightning is adequate for a certain set up?

The tank will have-
Crypt Wendtii Red
Java Ferns
Java Moss
Anubias
Ludwigia Repens Rubin
Cryptocoryne Parva

My current lighting is working well with my Anubias and Ferns, but do I need a strong light to get the red out in these plants? Is co2 needed?

How many root tabs is too many? How often should they be replenished?

Is it safe/useful to dose more liquid fert than recommended?
What ingredients should I be looking for in fertilisers?

Is it safe to use aquarium safe silicone to attach roots of red moor wood and plants together or should I just buy a big bottle of aquarium glue?

Thank you all!

 

What is the Kelvin rating for the lights you have?
Plants should be grown under about 6500k lighting

 

What is the Kelvin rating for the lights you have?
Plants should be grown under about 6500k lighting

Unfortunately I could not tell you, the light is a LED strip which is waterproof but not really for aquariums.

 

Super Glue works well for attaching plants to wood or rocks.

 

I would get a plant specific light - not sure what will be available for you in the UK, but when you look at lights, do a google search for the PAR rating. PAR is photosynthetically active radiation, and the number will tell you how much plant available light there is. Many hobbyists take measurements and post their data. Subjective, but: < 30 PAR is low light, 30-60 is medium light, 60+ is high light. Watts, lumens, etc is less relevant. High PAR will also bring out reds. Lower light usually keeps a red plant green.

Kelvin rating doesn't actually matter much. Kelvin is how the light color appears to human eyes, and since plants don't have human eyes...
For more on lighting spectrum:
Choosing the best light spectrum for planted tanks
^this whole website is a treasure trove of information btw

You will not need CO2 for those particular species

Can't really have too many root tabs, but more than 1-2 per plant would be excessive. What brand of root tab? What substrate are you using?

It's safe to overdose liquid ferts (within reason), but usually not needed. Which one will you be using? I recommend the Aquascaper Liquid Plant Food

I would simply use gel superglue - ingredient cyanoacrylate - or sewing thread

 

I would get a plant specific light - not sure what will be available for you in the UK, but when you look at lights, do a google search for the PAR rating. PAR is photosynthetically active radiation, and the number will tell you how much plant available light there is. Many hobbyists take measurements and post their data. Subjective, but: < 30 PAR is low light, 30-60 is medium light, 60+ is high light. Watts, lumens, etc is less relevant. High PAR will also bring out reds. Lower light usually keeps a red plant green.

Kelvin rating doesn't actually matter much. Kelvin is how the light color appears to human eyes, and since plants don't have human eyes...
For more on lighting spectrum:
Choosing the best light spectrum for planted tanks
^this whole website is a treasure trove of information btw

You will not need CO2 for those particular species

Can't really have too many root tabs, but more than 1-2 per plant would be excessive. What brand of root tab? What substrate are you using?

It's safe to overdose liquid ferts (within reason), but usually not needed. Which one will you be using? I recommend the Aquascaper Liquid Plant Food

I would simply use gel superglue - ingredient cyanoacrylate - or sewing thread

Firstly thank you for taking your time on all this! The light I have looked at doesn’t actually say the PAR rating. I have read others have tried to contact the company about the PAR rating but have had no luck. I will try anyway. This is the light- I’d go for the PLED-310 due to tank size.
PLED Tropical / Cold Water Aquarium LED Lights Range - All Pond Solutions

I will definitely be reading up on that website, thanks! I will be using generic sand-like gravel and I’m pretty sure the Root Tabs I purchased were DIY ones, so I cannot comment on their performance/company. Do you have any which you’d recommend? Hopefully ones available in the UK please!

The liquid fertiliser I use is attached and has been working great, I’ve definitely seen an explosion in my Anubias plants. I was wondering about overdosing since this current tank in question only has water column feeders.

Thanks for you help dude!

 

Firstly thank you for taking your time on all this! The light I have looked at doesn’t actually say the PAR rating. I have read others have tried to contact the company about the PAR rating but have had no luck. I will try anyway. This is the light- I’d go for the PLED-310 due to tank size.
PLED Tropical / Cold Water Aquarium LED Lights Range - All Pond Solutions

I will definitely be reading up on that website, thanks! I will be using generic sand-like gravel and I’m pretty sure the Root Tabs I purchased were DIY ones, so I cannot comment on their performance/company. Do you have any which you’d recommend? Hopefully ones available in the UK please!

The liquid fertiliser I use is attached and has been working great, I’ve definitely seen an explosion in my Anubias plants. I was wondering about overdosing since this current tank in question only has water column feeders.

Thanks for you help dude! View attachment 712996View attachment 712997

Hmm yeah, I also don't see any PAR data. It may be a less popular light. Doesn't mean it won't work though.

If you have DIY tabs, I wouldn't get more right now, but after you're through Tropica makes good root tabs.

With that liquid fert watch your nitrogen and phosphorus, they may get low since they're not in the fertilizer.

 

Hmm yeah, I also don't see any PAR data. It may be a less popular light. Doesn't mean it won't work though.

If you have DIY tabs, I wouldn't get more right now, but after you're through Tropica makes good root tabs.

With that liquid fert watch your nitrogen and phosphorus, they may get low since they're not in the fertilizer.

I intend to have a lid (condensation tray) on top of the tank. Will this impact the lightning too much?

Thank you!

 

I intend to have a lid (condensation tray) on top of the tank. Will this impact the lightning too much?

Thank you!

It might! If the lid gets really cloudy it'll block more light.