Pet Forum / Aquaria / Plants / December 2003

       Recently learned that my water is soft and is contrbuting to an
unstable pH.  Just wondering if anyone knows of any good buffers on the
market that dont contain phosphates.  Most dont list the constituents.
Thanks for any info.

I had a moderately planted 29g tank (with small Tetras, Apistos & 2 Discus)
for many years up until about 10 years ago, when we moved and I switched the
tank to Africans.  Here's the question:
I used to maintain my tank with various Echinodorus, Anubias and

As part of my effort to save my Amazon swords, I think my tank lacks some
Nitrogen and Potassium.
After a short visit to the plant nursery I finally selected Jobes Spikes and
some liquid fertilizer - Yes for home plants!

I have a 2 cu ft aquarium (15G), with some java moss and bacopa monieri
which I bought online and some plant I got from the LFS which isn't doing
well. Other plants are doing OK. Current lighting is provided by a 15W 18"
tropical tube and Arcadia controller. I was unable to affix ...

I'm in the process of getting things ready for my 55G planted tank and I'm
gonna be doing a big order from BigAl's very soon, so I'm looking for
feedback about which plant food/supplement would be best to order.  I know
that the best way is probably trial and error by seeing what ...

I have posted a photo, that can be viewed, hopefully at
http://www.verinet.com/~boz/dcp_1261
This is a top view of the plant, it seems to be growing ok but is not
putting out any roots. The plant does not float, it is propped up for the

I was wondering if I could get some feedback about the planted tank that I'm
hoping to setup in the next few weeks.
55G Tank
80W light (1.5 wpg)

I have a newly set up planted tank and have come to the maintenance part of
plants.  I know to remove the dead leaves and such, but pruning is somewhat
confusing for some species.
Are there any websites that tell how to properly prune certain species of

My tank water was tested PH 7.8.
Any effective method to reduce value other than using PH down solution.
I tried changing 20% water each day, not much helps.
Thanks

  I was reading one of the vast amount of aquaria magazines out there
the other day and I came across an ad for a CO2 system called "The CO2
Natural Plant System" by Nutrafin.  It looks like a DIY CO2 system using
the sugar and yeast meathod but its "professionally built" (if ...

Is anyone using the Carboplus electronic CO2 device??  I would like to know
what you think of it..

I've been reading the Resler-Behle paper (at the Krib) on DIY
substrate heating and I'm about ready to make that leap.  The
compressed CO2 tank is up & running, though I'm giving serious
consideration to linking it to a controller rather than just having it

I have a 13 gallon with 15 W of lighting and light to medium planting. I am
hoping to increase this to medium to heavy. I have heard that using CO2 will
help the plants. I was thinking somethng along the lines of yeast/sugar in
lemonade bottles method.

Is there any effect of Chloramine (sp?) to plants in your tank if you do not
add de-chlorinator?

I just planted some H. Zosterifolia last weekend around the time I injected
2 bubbles/sec of CO2
The rest of the older plant residents: E. Stelata & Hygro Difformis are
doing fine. My Stelata actually