How To Balance Planted Aquarium - It's all about PASTA!

[@kenro624]

Finally someone put up a graph that makes balance understandable! Thank you

[@TheWaterBox]

No problem Ken, I'm glad it helped.

[@TheWaterBox]

@@Crest97 It's just a representation. There's no way to quantify the chart with actual numbers.

[@jurgenvandenhouwe3670]

I came here via A Gamer's Wife. I'll leave the same comment here as I did there: "thanks for the no BS approach." Very informative indeed. Subscribed as well.

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for subbing! :)

[@VeganStories]

I agree. Between him and A Girl Talks Fish, I pretty much get all my knowledge I didn’t have before the hobby

[@richarddsouza7761]

I'm a newbie to the hobby. Kinda reluctantly bought the tank for my kids at Christmas.. 4 months later I'm learning about lights and planted tanks. This is one of the best videos I've seen! Great job with the charts!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@liquidlulz1373]

I have learned so much from your videos. I have started my first tank and now im in the 7th week of DSM! Thanks!

[@TheWaterBox]

Yay! Keep at it!

[@SirTenoch]

Mate, you are good! real good! Is my humble opinion that you deserve far much more subscribers! You always answer all my questions!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks man! Just share it out! It helps!

[@wattyjr13]

Thank you for the information. I have never been successful with live plants long term. However, I am trying again with a nano tank and this was very informative.

[@tomh9950]

This is by far the most helpful tank balancing video I've come across! Great info, thank you

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CrayZJo3Davola]

You are the best video editor out of all the fish channels on youtube. And you make your videos not boring, interesting, and simple. Keep it comingn!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@klinekg1]

I came here from Gamer's wife channel. Loved the content. Very informativewith no BS.. Liked and subscribed.

[@EAFCA]

Thank you! Great information as always.

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for watching!

[@argonaut04c4]

I learned from this video. Thanks a bunch and more power!

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@frapsnack808]

hahahaha I love this channel!!! I just discovered your channel like two hours ago, and now I can't stop watching. Informative and good information with freaking hilarious jokes mixed in.... YES PLEASE!!! New favorite channel!!

[@TheWaterBox]

Yay! I made Lindsay's favorite channel list! :) hehe super thanks on watching and stuff. I'm glad I could entertain. :)

[@msresearchspeaks]

Your videos are truly educational. Thank you.

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks MFD! I'm glad you enjoyed! :)

[@pilsonhauzel8836]

Your channel is the best!!!! very informative when it comes to planted tanks.

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@That_Nemesis_Guy]

Very well explained sir, just to more info, i want to know in this given diagram of balancing, m using 30w 4pc led tube, for 30-15-18 (cm), approx 110 ltr water with dutch set up, how co2 and fertilizer do i need to so that plant can use full light energy. Thanks.

[@TheWaterBox]

Balancing the tank isn't a set formula. Let your tank run and adjust as you go balancing between light, co2 and lighting.

[@bbgorb]

thank you so much.. they way u discribe make so much sense, at least for me to finally understand... i cant stress how much i was wondering around not know what i should do. got to say i have reaserch so much to understand to start the hobby, the information u gave is the first time i felt 'light bulb bling!!!' time to understand the whole planting system, which solve all the cycling/ co2/balance tank... what so ever, all most important is the right plants and much more plants.... thanks so much with the information and the work u gave.

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad it helped!

[@mayukhbera]

Greatly explained!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@patricklaundra3286]

thank you. excellent explanation. I like the way you emphasize " adjust your parameters to grow healthy plants " not to eliminate algae. and how the amount of light first, and fertilizer second, depends on the type of plant & its growth rate. I look at it like the exposure triangle in photography. if your familiar with that?

[@martinlindner444]

Really appreciate your videos buddy. This gives me a new hobby to divert my attention from what’s going on in the world these days. I like your humor too I’m also a trekie .😂

[@tracys_plants]

Seriously, where have you been my whole life?? Oh how i wish I would have found your channel YEARS ago. You explain all these things that have eluded me the entire time Ive been in this hobby. THANK YOU

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad to help!

[@tracys_plants]

How did you learn all this? Also, I don’t know what you do professionally aside from KZbin, but you are a natural teacher. Amazing gift.

[@TheWaterBox]

Just from experience. I'm an IT director and programmer as my real job. But I do video production and stuff on the side.

[@kevinw1980]

Awesome video! The content was the best ever! One suggestion. I’d like you to do a real planted tank for us with plants, substrate light and nutrient. And then show up progress of the tank as days go by.

[@TheWaterBox]

I have 4 or 5 videos of tank builds

[@kevinw1980]

Watched one already. Good video. You mentioned plant dip, add 1 capful of bleach to 2gallons water dip plants in for 5 sec, is it effective for you?

[@TheWaterBox]

So so. Depends on how much and type of algae. The problem is some method works better than other depending on the algae. Like BBA just can't take Hydrogen Peroxide so I tend to use that when needed. Hair Algae I find hard to get rid of with algae eaters and doesn't respond much to Hydrogen Peroxide but is so easy to get rid of and the fastest to disappear from a simple adjusting to fixing the balance of the tank.

[@kevinw1980]

Haha. It’s good to know that. But the reason I do dip is to get rid of snails and parasites. Will the solution of 2g to 1 capful work?

[@TheWaterBox]

@@kevinw1980 oh yeh. As far as I know, it works for me

[@chilloutvibesforyou]

Thank-you Sir, very good explanation!

[@TheWaterBox]

Most welcome!

[@georgeballentine1045]

What I want is plants.fish is a bonus. Not doing well but your videos are helping thanks

[@TheWaterBox]

Same here George. I tend to think of fish as decorations lol

[@b1oh1]

@@TheWaterBox I just started aquascaping and planting a few months ago after starting the aquarist hobby with my son about 2 years ago. I completely agree with that sentiment now. I setup the plants and the fish are more of a decoration or even a functional aspect.

[@gfamily1943]

Thank you for making this video. I'm definitely subscribing :)

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@StreetWorksProject]

Rang my bell ! I didn't knew this piece of info until I listen to what you've said. Thanks!

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad it helped!

[@Fishtory]

dude! awesome video, amazing production value also. ...i'm so impressed, and so behind hehe

[@TheWaterBox]

Haha Thanks Alex!

[@problemaquarium]

QUALITY 💯‼️

[@ckg1480]

Excellent and informative. Thank you for actually trying to help and educate people as opposed to simply showcasing what you've done and leaving the rest of us wondering or frustrated with "how" you've accomplished this. It would also be very helpful if you actually recommended brands and types of light as say your "top 5" recommended brands... or maybe which lights are best for plants requiring high light, medium light, low light... or something like that. For those of us who work too much, researching all of that is very difficult. Your videos are really excellent and I hope you keep your dedication to educating people who are interested in the hobby as high in in future as it is now.

[@TheWaterBox]

I have a lighting series that goes over all that. It's like 7 videos. kzbin.info/aero/PLl7jTu1aWwVbqqpVXi_tmwGThvsd96R5W

[@TheTurtleGirl]

LOL that intro tho....I was dying 😂

[@TheWaterBox]

I had another intro where I burn my nose off with a lightsabre but I didn't want to spand all that time editing in the lightsabre effect for I just went with the one you saw. ;) :) Thanks TTG! ❤

[@theretrogeek2281]

Thanks a week a go I was googling some stuff about this topic,you hit the nail with this video,thanks.

[@TheWaterBox]

Awesome to hear! :) Thanks Retro!

[@seligseligabc123]

Spot on.

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@kryscromwellsmit]

Thanks, that helps a lot. I noticed some of my plants have a nutrient deficiencies, but was worried about putting in ferts because I didn't want an algae bloom again. That helps a lot.

[@TheWaterBox]

If won't be bad if you can isolated the particular nutrient and put that nutrient in. The micronutrients should be a problem though. I's mainly the phosphate and iron.

[@rolandosantisteban3754]

Thank you for the info/video!

[@TheWaterBox]

and thanks for watching Rolando! :)

[@AlTyler138]

Very good info, and displayed well. I am new to this and still battling how to balance my low tech planted tank and avoid algae. I was getting hair algae when I wasn't using ferts, now I am using excel and ferts daily and I am now seeing BBA. Ideally, I would like to get off the excel but I am just worried its cause an algae bloom again. Where's a good place to start with this out of the 3 factors?

[@TheWaterBox]

Lighting. I always start at lighting. If it's low tech then it's pretty easy. Just low intensity and if you can't, try shortening the photoperiod.

[@AlTyler138]

@@TheWaterBox I will try that, I am already at 6 hours duration so will lower the intensity. thanks for the reply

[@TheWaterBox]

👍

[@lechefaquarium]

Great video. Love what you done to the channel !

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks le chef!

[@cjclaeys4368]

Exactly the perspective and message I need, grow healthy plants, thank you!

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad it helped!

[@ArtByStephenB]

So based on the chart at 12:18, it is my understanding that CO2 isn't necessary UNLESS your current lighting situation permits the use of it? For example, you buy a fancy LED light that gives off high light, that will basically mean you're giving it enough light for fast growth, and will therefore need more co2 and nutrients? In this lighting situation, what if you can't currently afford a co2 system but you can afford the lighting and the nutrients... what will happen in that situation without co2?

[@lowcost549]

My personal theory would be the plants woud be ok but lack of co2 means slower growth, that also means nutrients staying longer on water then low co2 requirement plants will just have more growth but if you lack fast grower then comes most algae that do ok without thay much co2 = algae growth as they love good light.

[@TheWaterBox]

Slower growth and you'll be invite algae basically. You can always get a light that has adjustable intensity and that solve the problem both with have no co2 set up and then having the ability to add co2 later without buying a new light. If you can't adjust intensity, there's always just raising or lowering the light positions.

[@meanmugaquatics4063]

Great video, love the tone and energy of it. Like always great job!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks Mean Mug!

[@oniesma]

Very informative...i love it. Done sub👍

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks and welcome

[@gabrieljosetororodriguez903]

Excelent focus.... i have a question! .... Iron can be reduce? How...

[@TheWaterBox]

Hmmmm... I don't know any way really other then just stop added iron.

[@PaulC.494]

Have only one type of plant, water wisteria and it’s slowly dying over last two months, it gets 11 hours of white LED lighting and there is always some nitrates, have added salt to keep fish alive, glass bottom tank, is there any hope to balance this tank ?

[@PaulC.494]

Syk of this pc bs Have tested the water, TDS is about 33ppm from the tap, guppies would die in a few days, LFS tested the water and said there is nothing wrong, research revealed Livebearers do well with salt, added 40 grams to the 65 litre tank and the fish started eating and breeding and became very active. The Water Wisteria showed phenomenal growth at first then started dying. Feel strongly that the salt is the culprit and I just have to find a balance to benefit both fish and plants then try to balance the amount of light. Someone said a teaspoon of salt in 20 gallons resulted in phenomenal growth in their plants, but is it enough for healthy fish ?

[@PaulC.494]

Syk of this pc bs What water parameters need to be tested ?

[@TheWaterBox]

Do you know how hard your water is?

[@PaulC.494]

The Water Box The tank has crushed coral in the filter which keeps the water hard (150), since posting the first time, water has been changed without adding any salt and plants started to grow noticeably. The fish started getting sick when TDS dropped below 200. Added just enough salt to bring TDS to about 300 and the plants are still growing. Also have added a deep sand bed and dosing with seachem comprehensive. The leaves are growing broad and lighter in color than when I bought them, do you know why this is ?

[@dixydarlin56]

Thank you for the organized playlists to teach different subjects. You're a great teacher! Any info on nano tanks? My own best tanks have been Walstad bowls but I'm curious about adapting higher tech in that small size.

[@TheWaterBox]

I have smaller tanks but haven't set them up yet. I have to find a place to do that lol

[@chelmsford6774]

Great stuff, makes sense thanks :-)

[@TheWaterBox]

Glad it helps!

[@HeatherNielsenScarletAquatics]

This is great! I really enjoy your vids. Educational and fun to watch!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks Heather!

[@gabesaquarium2603]

This video is great. Learning how to dial things in is a lot of trial and error. And man have I had some errors lately. 🤣

[@TheWaterBox]

Hahah keep failing, that's how you become great.

[@element10sic]

very informative. looking forward to the upcoming videos

[@TheWaterBox]

glad it was for you! Thanks for watching man!

[@humble_haplo]

I love this dude 😁

[@TheWaterBox]

Awe. Thanks!

[@ChickpeaAdee]

Loving the towel intro. 😂

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks Jad! It's a Jedi Towel so it works! lol

[@Diosesdepapel]

Hi Chung , i am watching all over again your videos about managing CO2 , i had a heavy planted aquarium tank in the past tks to your info in your videos , but i got tired of trimming plants every week so i quit i am planning now to go back on CO2 again but one thing i wanted to ask you is for a good diffuser brand or type to use , Thank You.

[@TheWaterBox]

Depends if you're still worried about too much trimming. You can always just stick to in tank difussers so it's not that efficient (though you'll still get lots of growth). I'd just slow down the co2 if you are worried about too much growth unless you have plants that need it. The best intank one are these I think: amzn.to/3lnOvkQ

[@Diosesdepapel]

@@TheWaterBox .. Thank You Chung ..

[@TheWaterBox]

No problemo Doises!

[@mhmd250000]

i been watching a couple videos of yours, this intro just sold me on your channel. #nowafan

[@TheWaterBox]

Haha thanks! Glad you liked!

[@queenzinfinity492]

Thank you!

[@TheWaterBox]

Welcome!

[@rickybell6356]

Aye , I'm liking this dude :)

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@rickybell6356]

@@TheWaterBox your easy to listen to ,and have plenty of experience and inform to give , thank you for taking the time to make the videos,

[@TheWaterBox]

👍

[@trueblu8]

Man this guy knows his stuff!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@baldanddangerous1572]

the force is strong with this one

[@TheWaterBox]

I kill stemlings. I'm dark siding it.

[@zonn499]

So how do you know if the amount of light or amount of nutrients /co2 is what’s causing the plants to deteriorate ?... I currently have an aqua glow flourescent light I just ordered a LED light ... I have flourish excel but use it to its minimum because Im afraid it’s bad for the 5 fish I have in my 75 gallon ... I also have 6 plants in my tank any advice ? I also have a gravel /rocky substrate ... do you think the led light should help my plants get back on their feet ? There’s only 2 that look like their doing bad ...

[@TheWaterBox]

You just learn from experience. Keep growing plants. If you fail, learn and compensate for next time. You just keep going and you make it.

[@Wilbur_Long]

Most excellent!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@Goldiibug]

This makes me wonder. I'm planning an easy low tech tank. Would starting with organic soil give off too much nutrients for beginner plants? Would I be better off with just root tabs if I add stem plants?

[@TheWaterBox]

It will be fine, in fact, easier for beginners as you're providing lots of nutrients at the root level. You can also go the root tab way but it's a little more work.

[@Goldiibug]

@@TheWaterBox thank you for your insight. I appreciate it 💙

[@TheWaterBox]

@@Goldiibug Right on!

[@ahbookit]

Great video!!! Other balancing videos were such a bore to concentrate on. And your lighting series told me my beamswork 400 (from old cichlid tank) is NOT enough for my dwarf hair-grass-only-tank at 15in depth (I've been researching for answers if it's sufficient for two weeks!) Hairgrass not spreading, ADA substrate, no dosing, 0 ammonia 0 nitrite 80+ppm phosphate (3-day water changes to keep it low), algae settling in. 20 tetras and 20 shrimps. Will get better light to hopefully drive hair grass growth to use up the nitrate and phosphate. Correct approach?

[@TheWaterBox]

I just looked up the 400. Yeh, I don't think that one will do much good at 15in depth. For Beamswork, you want to look at the DA model.I heard that one is their power version that does reach 15" (and more). That should help your Dwarf Hairgrass. The algae is probably settling in because your plants aren't doing well so Algae got tons of resources for growth. Are you running co2?

[@ahbookit]

@@TheWaterBox yes im running co2 as well. Noted on your advice, need better light fast! Thanks!

[@TheWaterBox]

It does sound like it's lighting then

[@jordanpalm3959]

Not sure about this I have to test and play with this more. But I think I have actually balanced my ph co2 and dkh levels just by regulating how much oxygen I'm pumping into the tank. I put one of those inline air regulators and turn my air stone way down. I know it's inaccurate and I am in the process of ordering a drop checker online. But after doing this I have tested pH and dkh constantly for 2 days and steadily got 6.8 and 7.0 pH reading and 3 to 4 dkh. With that reading co2 may be somewhere between 9 and 14. I know 9 is low but still it's close enough to the threshold. Need my drop checker to check though.

[@glennfabian]

Awesome.I learn a lot from thos. are you on Facebook? thanks

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks! You can join us in our facebook group: facebook.com/groups/thewaterbox/

[@RiverLifeUS]

Excellent entertainment and education 💪

[@TheWaterBox]

I aim to please! ;) Thanks bro!

[@fukkyoo119]

Love the intro!

[@TheWaterBox]

thanks!

[@ladygrndr9424]

Saving to refer to and share with anyone who asks "why do I have all this algae???" later. Excellent video! I just finished getting planting my main display tank, and asked people "How many plants is too many?" I was told by everyone there is no such thing...but what I was getting at was what you provide here--is what I have chosen going to be way out of balance or not? From this video I think I might need more light if I really want to see the best out of everything, but the couple of light/nutrient hungry plants I added last (after all my low-moderate light, slow growing plants) might put an end to algae once and for all. Thanks!

[@TheWaterBox]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@pishale]

Nice, I got my second planted tank and the first one is not looking that healthy. I guess is because a got so many different species of plants and some are slow growth and some other are fast growing plants. No to mention the light that I have I don't think is the correct one (Fluval aquasky) i'm trying to find out which plants do I have and separate them according. Thanks for the info 👍

[@TheWaterBox]

That makes sense. Depending on how big your first tank is, it might not be enough light. Would need to know more though.

[@Zingo89]

Great vid!!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks!

[@zacks2368]

I love your intro!! That was great! Thanks for the info

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for watching!

[@ezaquatics8991]

I laughed a bit too hard at the intro... well done sir. That said, plants do "see" red and blue lighting far more than they "see" green, for example. In that case, I'd suggest the IDEAL mix of lighting for fish would be a cool white at ~6500k and a warmer white at ~2700k. You see that mix frequently in high end LED plant growth fixtures as well as with high end grow lights.

[@TheWaterBox]

Good tip!

[@DeFreeseAquariums]

Good stuff. I think your point on CO2 is great and important to understand. I also think some need to realize that products like Seachem excel and API CO2 Booster are not actually CO2 and also they contain a form of algaecide. Seachem labels it under name the Polycycloglutaracetal which contains Glutaraldehyde but it's only called out in the MSDS of the product and CO2 booster is made up of Glutaraldehyde as well. Glutaraldehyde used in several different applications one being an algaecide it's also toxic if not used carefully. So dosing it does works to combat algae due to the chemical. Its is not actual carbon. Using pressurized CO2 works differently as you mention and dosing liquid works against algae due to its algaecide properties. I agree CO2 is not necessary if your tank is balanced and you are not trying to grow plants fast or plants that need Co2 to grow to its optimal level.

[@TheWaterBox]

Good point bud! Thanks for added that tidbit!

[@LPH-11]

I don't have time to watch another KZbin video but that towel on your head. Lol! Ok, one more video.

[@TheWaterBox]

Maybe I should start more videos with towels on my head? haha

[@arunrsful]

Hi am new to planted tank hobby and I am not using CO2...my doubt is can I switch off my wave maker during time the light is on to increase CO2? Will it affect plants in a positive way? Or can I increase livestock for the purpose?

[@TheWaterBox]

If you are not injecting co2 then you WANT surface agitation so the you get both O2 and co2 exchange. Just keep your wave maker going. It's fine.

[@suyash_mali]

@@TheWaterBox can I simply use a Sponge filter for adding in more air ( i.e. both O2 and CO2 ) + it helps in filteration

[@Cameraman2419]

have some crushed coral in my tank and using CO2. I have community fish in my tank just wanted to keep the pH balanced. Is there anything wrong with doing that??

[@Cameraman2419]

??

[@TheWaterBox]

You have to pay attention to the PH value BEFORE Co2 is added. The co2 drop from Co2 is based on the carbon added. It's and artifical number. The PH to pay attention to is the number measured before adding Co2.

[@TheWaterBox]

If you put crush coral in you tank it'll raise the PH in your tank. I don't know what kind of "community fish" you have but as long as they can handle whatever ph you tank is at, it'll be fine.

[@joseericrivera9571]

Sir can you help me I have co2 I have 7 led watts can match 24 watts bulb.. I also acquired algea seen in may glass aquaruim.. But later I observe that may hightech plants there lower leaves try to shred off but they grow out in the water level.. I tried to watch a video looking for why the hightech plant go out they water level while I provide light all in one nutrients and co2.. Hope you can help me

[@TheWaterBox]

I can't tell you anyting about your lights as your didn't give me enough information.

[@joseericrivera9571]

@@TheWaterBox it's T5 led light sir trying to try hygger version 2 aquaruim LED..

[@ACAquatics]

So true, just balance your s**t is such a general answer that can involve so many different factors. I recently add the fluval 20g Co² system to a 20gal and I'm having all kinds of problems with my balance. The BBA seems to be dying but I'm getting some hair algae now. Any suggestions of what I should change with the addition of the passive Co² system? Longer photo period, more ferts, or less? The only thing I've done is add a couple more drops of fertilizers each day. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@TheWaterBox]

Try backing off on the ferts a little if that was the only change you made? And the Co2 right? Do one thing at a time. It's easier to isolate, especially when you get results so slowly in something like this.

[@TheWaterBox]

MORE TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTED TANKS: ☑️ Beginners Planted Tank Guide: goo.gl/oCujCK ☑️ Aquarium Lighting Guide: bit.ly/2INYuMA ☑️ Aquarium Co2 Guide: bit.ly/2rSteVY ☑️ The Dry Start Method: goo.gl/XC8Rnz ☑️ Using Soil: goo.gl/PxkvK4

[@TheWaterBox]

It got REALLY huge. It was snuffing out the other plants around it and it just didn't fit the tank. If you put those lily in a tank high in light. co2 and ferts, they grow to be monsters.

[@b1oh1]

@@TheWaterBox was that the red one with the large leaves? I've been having a hard time finding red plants... Or anything other than green. Do you have any suggestions for plants with other colorations, even if only a flowering plant? Also, are there any online vendors you prefer? My local guy is great but the plants almost always come home with some sort of snail. Lol. At first I was like "yeah I got a free snail... What a deal"..... But now I'm breeding them and I only have so many tanks (6 in the house and 3 in the garage). Now when I get that free snail I go "*sarcastic tone* oh yah....another snail to take care of.... ". There's a reason I got a vasectomy..... I can only support so much life in my house. Lol.

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

Nice towel box

[@TheWaterBox]

Got it at walmart! lol

[@crippled0]

this really really helped, made a lot more sense the way you described it.

[@TheWaterBox]

Awesome! I'm glad it helped!

[@Tass...]

I would add "flow rate" to Light, Co2, Nutrient and Growth rate. The more flow rate around your tank the harder it is for algae to grow IMO. I have found areas of the tank that have little or no flow of water that is where algae takes hold. It's worth having a filter that offers a large amount of litres/gallons per hour. Always over filter rather than under filter in a planted tank. Or if a weaker filter is used then add a powerhead to aid circulation.

[@TheWaterBox]

Great insights! Thanks!

[@ArtByStephenB]

I thought I understood the basics about lighting until you said Kelvin ratings don't really mean anything in terms of growing plants. That's usually the first thing I look for when looking for a new light. Hmmmm. Now I feel kind of conflicted and confused and I feel like I need to do a bit more research. So, is PAR basically the most important thing? And then you have to factor in which wavelengths plants use (red and blue, right?). So, when shopping for a light, should we be looking at ONLY PAR, ONLY the color wavelengths, or Kelvin, or all of the above?

[@TheWaterBox]

All the above... Mostly look at the spectrum chart. Most light packaging don't list PAR ratings so you have to look them up. Even worse is that you have to take into consideration the PUR rating more that PAR but that's a more deeper convo. Kelvin again is mainly the color the light produces that we can see that make the tank look a certain way. Most common commerical lighting kits we buy are usually in the range of 5500k-7000k since most plant tanks we have are green and the colors pops in that range.

[@b1oh1]

I have high light and high nutrients (soil substrate). I maybe dose the water column once a week.... If I remember. My cryptocorns, 3 types of swords, anubias, a monte carlo, dwarf baby tears, Madagascar lace, and a few others... Spread across 3 tanks.... Are all showing tons of growth. So much so that I've actually stopped buying plants. I can high highly attest to the chart posted in one of the later tips. Tackle it from the standpoint of growing healthy plants and you will be golden!! Also, remember that fish provide CO2, as well as shrimp and snails.... Which are my go to diatom cleaners off the leaves. Mud snails are great for planted tanks, as well as nerites. While mysteries are quite common in the hobby, I find them entirely too sensitive. Before I had a breeding pair, they would seemingly die at random despite meticulous water conditions. Meanwhile, my nerites and mud snails are almost all over a year old.

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kitchen9235]

❤❤

[@seemtabahmed5543]

My tank is a bow front..lights are around 22 inch high from the substrate , trying to grow Eleocharis Parvula for many years and failing miserably. Substrate is Tropica soil powder, pressurised CO2, and LED lights (2 x Arcadia T5 LED Freshwater Pro 590mm, 8w=24w, 8000k), what am I doing wrong?

[@TheWaterBox]

Do you know what kind of par rating you're getting with those lights? I'm not familiar with them myself.

[@seemtabahmed5543]

@@TheWaterBox honestly no, most manufacturers these days don’t declare the PAR and I cannot afford a par meter..I am thinking of changing the lights anyway, so if you could suggest some lights, which can go under a hood and would provide high PAR at the substrate (approx 24” from light) then I think I should be okay to grow the carpet? what do you think?

[@TheWaterBox]

@@seemtabahmed5543 Well it depends on the carpet you want to grow. USUALLY, one of the finnex ALC or Planted+ or the fluval fresh 3.0 will do but I don't know how much space is your tank from front to back. I usually run two fixtures on a 40b because of the distance from font to back.

[@seemtabahmed5543]

@@TheWaterBox I just want to grow simple and easy carpet (eleocharis parvula), one light diagonal should be okay, as I have a triangle tank (max space 620mm x 200mm width)

[@TheWaterBox]

@@seemtabahmed5543 Oh yeh, you should be ok then.

[@ronalcon6968]

I have play sand in my aquarium what plants can I put in my tank?

[@TheWaterBox]

Try and low damanding stuff. Or using plants liek java fern or anubias where you keep them tied to rocks and wood so it doesn't need to be planted into the sand.

[@Popovich16]

But how do you measure these things

[@TheWaterBox]

There's no direct measuring. At least affordable to a home aquarist. There are some tests out there for nutrients in the tank, you can measure co2 with a couple of methods (I made videos about it) and lighting you'll need a light meter which can get expensive. Most of the time, you figure it out through just doing and experience.

[@thegamechanger2058]

What’s your view on water changes?

[@trudeaumustgo1920]

I like your videos man. Your very informative. Keep it up. I didnt subscribe. But dont take it personally. Ive never subscribed to anyone. But if i did, id totally subscribe to you.

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for watching never-the-less!

[@backhandthings4942]

my tank was balanced for 3 months, then all plants started to die and i haven't been able to bring it back. i think my water got too hard after awhile remineralizing RO water. only my Anubias will grow now

[@TheWaterBox]

Ah, sorry to hear. We're you dosing your tank?

[@backhandthings4942]

@@TheWaterBox yes. i was using THRIVE by nilocg. my plants were growing like crazy then all the leaves starting falling off, then after a week almost everything was gone. plants were s.repens, dwarf sag, java fern, monte carlo, xmas moss, anubias and a easy stem plant that had crazy thick bush growth growing out the water. im going to take out my eco complete, and go ada aquasoil and start new RO water and reminerilize then let the water cycle for about a week or two. my water parameters are outta wack

[@TheWaterBox]

You sure the temp wasn't too warm?

[@backhandthings4942]

@@TheWaterBox could've been. or my experiment with root tabs. fuck...i don't know. what temp do you stay at?

[@TheWaterBox]

usually around 78 to 80 but 80 is really warm. 76 is the sweet spot for planted tanks

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

So will excel kill off my Val’s?

[@TheWaterBox]

People report it does. I don't normally use Excel. Only back when I used it to try and control algae. I stopped using it for that though so it just sits there now.

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

I use one drop per gal. I have 12 tanks and Co2 is just not an option. I am planting heavier and put timers on all my lights. The algae is under control so for now will proceed as usual 👍👍👍

[@TheWaterBox]

perfect. If it's working, don't change it.

[@aquaballs]

Hay can you visit my aquarium room i live in los Angeles i love to learn more about planted aquarium co2 regulator and plant's

[@TheWaterBox]

Depends, are you gonna kill me and eat me? O.o

[@aquaballs]

No eating you .i will let you have the best MediterraneanBBQ food ever

[@robertstoudt4578]

+The Water Box lol

[@TheWaterBox]

OH SHIT! Well, let's talk. Ain't no sane man ever going to pass up Mediterranean BBQ!

[@TheWaterBox]

You never know Robert. It's happened to me before... well, ok maybe not... well... kinda... define.... eating?

[@TheBeardNecessities]

I hit like from the start just because of the Jedi mind trick 🤣😂

[@TheWaterBox]

Haha thanks!

[@djdimapasoc7988]

one topic im not seeing here. After all the stuff im applying to my planted co2 tank... my problem are my fishes, especially the kulhi loach. it's been acting like it drank liquid blow. lol

[@TheWaterBox]

Measure your co2 and make sure you're not over injecting.

[@no_proxxiv4163]

Okay I get what you saying but me as a total newbie! how would I know what my plants need! HOW DO I KNOW?????😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@TheWaterBox]

Experience. You'll have to jump in and just do it and learn.

[@irferrari1]

Love the new skit. It would be better if u made a series separating this video into shorter ones. Not everyone wants/ have time to watch a 16 min vid. Such great information shouldn't be missed.

[@TheWaterBox]

This is the lead up to the upcoming lighting, co2 and fert series which are three series in multiple two to five videos. which I will be keeping under 10m each (gonna try anyways). Thanks for watching.

[@sunnycal2293]

@@TheWaterBoxKeep teaching us the same way. If I need to pause to catch up with what your saying I do. It's a lot at times😎

[@sagrath1982]

Amazingly explain but forgot the part when you have to water chance and dose for a perfect balance.

[@TheWaterBox]

Sure.

[@frankallen3634]

I just stuck plants in my tank and because my well water is so hard from excess minerals they seem to like it. No idea what the ph is but the hardness is well over 550, and I dont use co2 either because I just dont care that much. If they live great if not then great they are plants no big deal

[@TheWaterBox]

Good to hear!

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

Aglae is good.

[@LilGagaChick]

May the fish be with you.

[@TheWaterBox]

May the fish be with you!

[@sharonbendtsen2973]

Hey. Can I call you Yoda Box. Ha ha ha.

[@TheWaterBox]

LOL! Do I have to be green?

[@InappropriateReefer]

Hey man, there's nothing wrong with wearing a towel over your head, lol!

[@TheWaterBox]

Not when it's a Jedi towel! lol

[@eegernades]

both you guys made a video referencing star wars and got posted today. Coincidence? i think not. Fish Illuminati confirmed.

[@TheWaterBox]

Lol serous?

[@williamli8708]

8:37 scrub daddy?? :)

[@HadEnough745]

This is great but where is the information for each plant? How do we know what each plant needs? Some plants need this, some plants need that. It seems like way too much homework to do in order to just grow some plants.

[@TheWaterBox]

This isn't a video about plant profile.