It's sometimes tough with a planted aquarium and if you let it, demoralising. Your desired planted tank just doesn't seem to get to where you want it to and you don't know why. You try this, you follow that, you participate on forums and still you can't get it right. Algae grows on your plants and to top it all off, you've spent a fortune!! So you feel like throwing the towel in but
DON'T, you're nearly there...
I deal with a lot of customers who feel just like this and I know how hard it can be. I was there once too and only through perseverance did I make it. Don't get me wrong, I felt like I wanted to chuck it all in and this was before the days of the internet too. Can you imagine trying to learn about planted aquariums before there were any books that were specialising on the subject? Believe me it was tough and the advice was very old fashioned, suggesting very lean dosing (no macros) lighting needed a siesta (what a load of rubbish!) and that if you didn't have an under gravel heater your plants would fail. To top it all off, filters apparently needed a very slow turnover of water (hmmmmm). Fortunately things have changed. The internet was created and now in some ways hobbyists have information overload. But I digress a little as the subject of this post is Don't give up... and there's a simple reason for this. When you're up against it and everything is going wrong, this is the time when you are learning the most. You probably don't realise it but your mind is taking in so much information. Sadly, because it's a very frustrating time (and hard on the brain), combined with the fact that you have spent a lot on the hobby, and you may be moaning to your other half about all the problems, it would be easier just to pack it all in wouldn't it? But when is easier best?
Just around the corner is the answer, the trigger that will make the difference. You may only need to alter one aspect of your tank set up and the tide will turn. Plants will flourish and grow in front of your very eyes and you'll look back at the time you had when your tank would never go right and then all of a sudden, BINGO. This invaluable knowledge is what you can then pass onto other hobbysist, because it feels good to share and help those in need.
It's all about the experience, all about how you deal with the 'problems' that are confronting you. And don't forget I can always help too, just drop me a line, call me or email me and we can sort your planted aquarium problem out together :)
12 comments
I kind of gave up on this hobby but I really do enjoy the heck out of it. I had everything going the equipment and plants etc. I want to get it going again but I need concrete information that will help me out. Like for example a good substrate that I can use I’ve done eco complete but I want to use something different ADA stuff because of the different color options and obviously it’s benefits. Just something that will work. Also really wanting to buy a new light fixture nothing to crazy I’m willing to spend but not go broke
Substrate is important and will give you a cushion in terms of ‘leeway’ so things won’t go wrong so quick. Your plants will get a lot of what they need from there. Try the Tropica substrate.
Thanks for your reply!
About the Ph controller tough, i have my reasons to doubt what you said about ditching it.
You say that the CO² levels fluctuate too much but to my opinion it is your way of supplementing CO² that is causing more fluctuations in the CO² levels. I keep adding it 24hrs a day, while you only do it 8-10 hrs a day. So i would think that your levels wil drop during night time and you need to build them up again each day when the lights go on, while in my tank the levels keep constant due to the switching of the controller each time the Ph rises 0.1.
But maybe i’m wrong of course!
Regrettably Jurgen you are wrong. Trust me on this :)
But it’s up to you my friend. Trust the experts, or go with what you ‘think’.
I know what I would do if I was in your shoes…
I’m in complete agreement here. As much as I really want to be tinkering with my tank I make myself leave it alone as much as I can.
I’ve had much better results like this. Sometimes things need to be adjusted but any changes should be made slowly so you can measure the results of the change. It’s also good to only change one thing at a time, otherwise how do you know which one worked?
Great post Richard.