kinda off topic but... FRESHWATER PLANTED TANK HEEEEELP

[stewy14]

so I ordered stratum yesterday(it was same day) and got some plants and guppies today(maybe gonna add a betta and shrimp in the future. but, here are my questions:
1: I just got some elodea Nutella(hehehehehe, nuttallii) at my lfs, AND I HAVE IDEA
Could I cut it up and use it as a carpet plant? will the little trimming be able to regrow? or not?
hope u can help!

2: When should I dose co2 into my 10 gallon tank? once a day? 3 times a week? blah... when and how?
really hope u can help
and do I need Fert? or does fishy poop work well enough?

3: AAAAAAAAHHHHH stratum blew up, my tank is muddy, not that muddy, I am running my sponge filter rn and its doing something, should I just keep that running?

4: can I make a carpet with duckweed?

thanks,
stewy

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I’m sure u will find some help here, sry not a freshwater enthusiast, but is that community lacking in resources and platforms like this?

 

[stewy14]

I’m sure u will find some help here, sry not a freshwater enthusiast, but is that community lacking in resources and platforms like this?

yes, it is lacking and np

 

[stewy14]

WHAAAAT??? I have a reef tank!

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

yes, it is lacking and np

I'm very versed in high-tech freshwater planted an this is nothing but a troll.

 

[Reefering1]

 

[stewy14]

I'm very versed in high-tech freshwater planted an this is nothing but a troll.

how is it a troll?
u commenting is a troll

jk
but seriously I need help...

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

how is it a troll?
u commenting is a troll

jk
but seriously I need help...

OK let's begin.

• Elodea Nutella (hehehehe, nuttallii): Ah, the magical plant that grows in jars of chocolate spread! Unfortunately, elodea isn't much for carpets—it prefers standing tall in the background, showing off. If you chop it up, it'll regrow, but think more "vertical forest" than "green shag rug."
• CO2 Dosing: CO2 is the morning coffee for your plants. In your 10-gallon tank, think of it as a daily espresso shot rather than a weekly binge. A little every day keeps them perky. And while fishy poop adds some nutrients, a good fertilizer is like a balanced diet—your plants will thank you for it.
• Muddy Tank: Ah, the dreaded substrate explosion—your tank’s version of a bad hair day. Keep that sponge filter running like it’s cleaning up after a party. Some water changes will help too. Just give it time; it’ll clear up faster than your last bad decision.
• Duckweed Carpet: Duckweed as a carpet? That’s like trying to use confetti as a blanket. It floats on the surface, so for a nice green carpet, go for dwarf hairgrass or Monte Carlo. Duckweed is more of a party crasher that won’t leave, so handle with care.

And remember, folks: if your tank starts looking like a swamp monster's lair, you’re probably having more fun than the rest of us. Happy fish-keeping, and may your aquatic plants grow faster than the BS on this forum!

 

[stewy14]

OK let's begin.

• Elodea Nutella (hehehehe, nuttallii): Ah, the magical plant that grows in jars of chocolate spread! Unfortunately, elodea isn't much for carpets—it prefers standing tall in the background, showing off. If you chop it up, it'll regrow, but think more "vertical forest" than "green shag rug."
• CO2 Dosing: CO2 is the morning coffee for your plants. In your 10-gallon tank, think of it as a daily espresso shot rather than a weekly binge. A little every day keeps them perky. And while fishy poop adds some nutrients, a good fertilizer is like a balanced diet—your plants will thank you for it.
• Muddy Tank: Ah, the dreaded substrate explosion—your tank’s version of a bad hair day. Keep that sponge filter running like it’s cleaning up after a party. Some water changes will help too. Just give it time; it’ll clear up faster than your last bad decision.
• Duckweed Carpet: Duckweed as a carpet? That’s like trying to use confetti as a blanket. It floats on the surface, so for a nice green carpet, go for dwarf hairgrass or Monte Carlo. Duckweed is more of a party crasher that won’t leave, so handle with care.

And remember, folks: if your tank starts looking like a swamp monster's lair, you’re probably having more fun than the rest of us. Happy fish-keeping, and may your aquatic plants grow faster than the BS on this forum!

oh this is the funniest thing I have heard in a while XD!!! I am going to try and grow a carpet of Nutella, I bought A LOT!!! and it was tall, so imma trim that and use that, ok with the co2 (how much though? and can I use yeast with citric acid?) ok with the tank, and ok with the duckweed, I might order some dwarf from petco or PetSmart, and maybe some Monte Carlo from Etsy
lol the bs part XD

 

[stewy14]

and oh, my last bad decision is still cleaning up, so... after a week it'll be clean?(and I have plants in a bag, waiting to be planted , can I just put that in a subtrateless 2.5 gal, its some Nutella, sagitarria and a purple plant

 

[mousehunter]

plantedtank.net is not as active as it used to be - but it probably still has a lot of information on it. Barr Report is another for information. CO2 - I never used a liquid solution (would have gotten costly) - always just bubbled it through a diffuser from a 20lb cylinder. Plants want CO2 when the light is on.

I ran a high tec (CO2, high fertilizer, high light) tank for a while (used Estimated Index (EI) dosing method). It suffered when I got tired of purchasing $100 HQI metal halide bulbs. It is going good right now, no "major" problems with MUCH less fertilizer - and 2 92watt led lights. Acidentally got duck weed in my tank (sorry, 1/4 acre pond) years ago - it was a nightmare to get rid of. Aquarium got Riccia, same problem - leave a tiny bit in, and in a week your surface is covered. Riccia balls look great, till they break away from what they are tied to and decide to float.

Reef tank is slowly comming together - may have water in it in less than a month...

 

[GARRIGA]

Fish add co2 and more of them means less needed to be injected. Might need supplemental filtration if the plants can’t handle the total biomass. Going natural first might solve having to go buy more equipment.

Check your alkalinity. If it’s dropping that means plants are using it to seek their co2 needs and good indicator on whether one needs supplemental co2 injected. Then perhaps first add more fish

 

[Reefering1]

Idk, this whole thing seems like it's biting into your reef tank budget.. get your priorities straight!!

 

[GlassMunky]

Happy fish-keeping, and may your aquatic plants grow faster than the BS on this forum!

 

[Reefer Matt]

 

[Reefering1]

He's not new.. just confused, forget to add salt to this tank

 

[Reefer Matt]

He's not new.. just confused, forget to add salt to this tank

I was being sarcastic myself.

 

[stewy14]

i

Fish add co2 and more of them means less needed to be injected. Might need supplemental filtration if the plants can’t handle the total biomass. Going natural first might solve having to go buy more equipment.

Check your alkalinity. If it’s dropping that means plants are using it to seek their co2 needs and good indicator on whether one needs supplemental co2 injected. Then perhaps first add more fish

I have 9 guppies, one male, 3 females and 5 babies that my friend gave to me this morning!

 

[stewy14]

He's not new.. just confused, forget to add salt to this tank

ik i forgot, just added salt! The guppies are turning orange and white, are they turning into clownfish? and wait, my plants, im growing some gsp and acros!