First Time Planted Tank

[Ceiora]

I posted in my introduction to the forum that I was going to set up a planted aquarium soon but was facing hiccups, such as the plants being scheduled to arrive BEFORE substrate and equipment. Great news! The equipment was early and the plants were late, so everything arrived today!

I got a Cryptocoryne Willisii, Cryptocoryne Parva, 2 Banana Plants, Anubias Gracilis, and Microsorum Pteropus (what I’m thinking is going to be a problematic Java Fern?)

I would bet money on having done something wrong during setup, but I’ve attached a picture regardless. And @Irene, you told me over on YouTube that I should tag you  🙂 Any tips on how to handle the fern being so thoroughly stuck in that wool stuff? It’s now floating because I don’t actually know what to do with it, bought it without thinking.

Also, not sure if this how the sponge filter is supposed to be set up. Any reassurance or changes I have to make?

Thanks in advance everyone, and wish me luck!

[Ashe]

Beautiful plants. I already see when your plants have settled down, the entire tank will look amazing. For the Java fern, you could either tie it down or use superglue gel to prevent it from floating. 

[Streetwise]

Lovely start! Enjoy watching those plants grow out.

[Andy's Fish Den]

Sometime you'll get plants that you can't get all of the rock wool out from around the roots, it will be fine. With java fern, you can either use some string or fishing line to tie it to a piece of rock or wood or also super glue gel. I go to my local dollar tree and buy it there, I think the last time i got some there's three tubes in a package for a buck.

Your sponge filter, you can leave the output, where the bubble come out facing the glass, but most people face it out so the current is across the tank. Tank is looking good, be sure to post pics as it grows in.

[Ceiora]

Day two: Java Fern has sunk back down, took an old cartridge from my 2.5 gallon and just dropped it in here, added betta log for future use, and added an air stone because my pump had a second output that I thought I’d try out. As there was room for more water I just dumped my water change water from my small tank into this one, figured the fish poop could only do good over here.

The bubbles popping at the surface seem to have a rather large splash zone. Is this going to be a problem for my light? 

Do I actually need the air stone or will my sponge filter do enough for aeration?

[Irene]

Looking good! Yes to what everyone said previously about tying down or gluing the java fern to a piece of rock or other decoration. If you're going to bury the java fern in the substrate, just make sure not to cover up the rhizome. The air stone isn't necessary in a sponge filter - it just makes the sponge filter a little more efficient and it lessens the bubbling noise a lot if the sound bothers you.

[Epona01]

I just did my first planted tank also. Its been up a month. Starting to stock it.

[Ceiora]

11 minutes ago, Epona01 said:

I just did my first planted tank also. Its been up a month. Starting to stock it.

It’s so exciting! I can’t wait to get to that stage! Also extremely anxious lol How’d you handle cycling?

Edited October 29, 2020 by Ceiora

[Epona01]

I used media from a seasoned tank so it took 3 weeks. I put tiger barbs in first and my corys finished their week of med trio today did a water change and fed them. Hoping to put them in soon. 

[Epona01]

And I put 6 nerite snails in there also. 

[AtomCatMatt]

2 hours ago, Ceiora said:

Day two: Java Fern has sunk back down, took an old cartridge from my 2.5 gallon and just dropped it in here, added betta log for future use, and added an air stone because my pump had a second output that I thought I’d try out. As there was room for more water I just dumped my water change water from my small tank into this one, figured the fish poop could only do good over here.

The bubbles popping at the surface seem to have a rather large splash zone. Is this going to be a problem for my light? 

Do I actually need the air stone or will my sponge filter do enough for aeration?

I would try and avoid water splashing up on the light, my light housing is similar and there not water proof. It shouldnt hurt it, but its better to not risk it shorting out or corroding. if its the airstone is causing splashing up and not the sponge filter i would just remove it. the airstone gives plenty of surfaces agitation. 

[AtomCatMatt]

nerites would be a good starter, they'll help knock algae from the first cycle. on my first aquarium I had a huge diatom algae bloom cause of all the nutrients in the substrate and water.

[Ceiora]

3 minutes ago, AtomCatMatt said:

I would try and avoid water splashing up on the light, my light housing is similar and there not water proof. It shouldnt hurt it, but its better to not risk it shorting out or corroding. if its the airstone is causing splashing up and not the sponge filter i would just remove it. the airstone gives plenty of surfaces agitation. 

As long as I have the sponge filter outlet pointed back at the glass, the light doesn’t get splashed. I’ve just turned off the air stone and my betta log is still drifting around, so I’m going to assume I have enough water flow. I moved my light so it’s no longer centred across the top of the tank and away from the sponge just to be safe.
 

Thanks!

[AtomCatMatt]

Sounds good to me. I position mine back slightly too, but don't be afraid to bring it forward a little if light is not optimal in the front. the nice thing is its on rails so you could slide it right just a little bit and keep it in the middle of tank since sponge bubbles are minimal

[Ceiora]

So it took no time at all to experience crypt melt. Saw that coming though, even my parva  plants lost leaves. They’re still in the process of melting those leaves, but my banana plants are doing well with new growth. The one that came with long roots has even started to grow into the substrate.

My Java Fern has lost two leaves, but one leaf is growing little plantlets that I’ve heard everyone talk about. Watching the growth will be fascinating.

I discovered a hitchhiker today. The snail is super tiny and surprisingly see through. I guess I’ll need to wait and see what kind as it gets bigger?

 

I’m tempted to move my proper mystery snail into here as his tank is crashing and moving him would lessen the bioload. If the little guy is surviving, maybe Francis can to?

[AtomCatMatt]

25 minutes ago, Ceiora said:

So it took no time at all to experience crypt melt. Saw that coming though, even my parva  plants lost leaves. They’re still in the process of melting those leaves, but my banana plants are doing well with new growth. The one that came with long roots has even started to grow into the substrate.

My Java Fern has lost two leaves, but one leaf is growing little plantlets that I’ve heard everyone talk about. Watching the growth will be fascinating.

I discovered a hitchhiker today. The snail is super tiny and surprisingly see through. I guess I’ll need to wait and see what kind as it gets bigger?

 

I’m tempted to move my proper mystery snail into here as his tank is crashing and moving him would lessen the bioload. If the little guy is surviving, maybe Francis can to?

Depending on the type of snail you maybe want to kill him if you don’t want more lol. I don’t mind snails so I let my live and well I have tons now 🤣

[Maggie]

5 hours ago, Ceiora said:

So it took no time at all to experience crypt melt. Saw that coming though, even my parva  plants lost leaves. They’re still in the process of melting those leaves, but my banana plants are doing well with new growth. The one that came with long roots has even started to grow into the substrate.

My Java Fern has lost two leaves, but one leaf is growing little plantlets that I’ve heard everyone talk about. Watching the growth will be fascinating.

I discovered a hitchhiker today. The snail is super tiny and surprisingly see through. I guess I’ll need to wait and see what kind as it gets bigger?

 

I’m tempted to move my proper mystery snail into here as his tank is crashing and moving him would lessen the bioload. If the little guy is surviving, maybe Francis can to?

I had snails come in on plants in the middle of fishless cycling when the ammonia and NO2 were both around 4ppm and weeks later I now have dozens of them.