Fluval 205 Canister Filter
Fluval 205 Canister Filter
Why can’t I get plants to stay alive and grow in my aquarium?
I have a 29 gallon tank, with 6 Rosy Barbs and 1 Green Tiger Barb (planning on getting 3 more Tiger Barbs.) I have the special soil substrate mixed with normal substrate, Coralife lighting, and a 205 Fluval Canister Filter. I also use the plant supplements a couple of times a week. I change 25-30% of the water every 2 weeks. I don’t siphon the substrate too much. I can’t get anything to survive except Italian Val, and they don’t even look very good. Am I over filtering? What can be done?
You don’t say what wattage your light set up gives out, you’ll at least 2w per gallon, I’ve always found this to be the most crucial thing.
Also assuming that you’re using enough of the fert soil substrate, you need a layer under the sand/gravel which is a good inch and a half thick at least.
Barbs do like to nibble greens but not so much that it should be a major issue, just be sure to stay away from the more delicate types.
It’s also possible that you’re being sold plants that aren’t true aquatic plants. Many plants sold in the aquarium trade are at best semi-aquatic and will simply die if they are submerged all the time. If it looks like a house plant it probably is!
The only other thing to try assuming your light set up is strong enough is to get a CO2 kit. In a tank your size you wouldn’t need an injection system a DIY biological set up would work fine. They’re really easy to make and this link covers the whole CO2 piece quite well http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_co2.php
I used DIY CO2 when i first set up my planted tank. I only used it to get the tank’s plants started – so for a couple of months really. These days I have to spend a couple of hours every month “pruning” so am happy with unaccelerated growth!
Tech walkthrough of my tank
