New to the forum, not fishkeeping

Good day, all

I am new to the forum, but have kept aquariums for many years up until a few years ago. I have just started up a tank for my classroom to use as an education tool.

Specs:

Tank is a standard 3 foot.
20kg of pool filter sand for substrate.
Built in filter with bio rings, sponge and carbon, 150watt heater and 400lph pump.
I have a 380lph flow power head inside the aquarium.
Lighting is from a 20watt T8 tube, one more to be added.
Decor comes in the form of two fake rocks I bought from the local pet shop.
I currently have a piece of Java Fern and Java Moss in the tank and 4 swordtails (1 male and 3 females).

I am dosing with seachem stability daily.

I have an air pump waiting in the wings to be set up, but not sure what to attach it to yet. Ideas welcome.

 

Hi and welcome to TASA @Lowflyer7.

Very nice to see people bringing fish keeping into the schools.
The java fern, you have currently, should not be planted in the substrate, or at least not the riazome. As long as the roots are only in the substrate it will be fine but it will do much better if it is attatched to the rocks.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

Hi @Lowflyer7 and welcome to the Forum

I agree its awesome to see the hobby brought into the schools, its a great help for the children that take an interest in it

As @pierreschoonraad said, the Java and Anubias need to be tied to the rock or a piece of wood otherwise the rhizome rots under the substrate

 

looks good and welcome back!

 

Thanks for the welcome, guys.

Since I need to attach the Java Fern to the rock, what plants do you recommend for the substrate? Keep in mind the PH is sitting around 8 and the water is quite hard.

Thanks in advance

 

Hello and welcome

 

I've had good success with Vallisaneria, and Rotala Rotundifolia. Remember, for root feeding plants you will need to supply nutrients via root tabs. Seachem root tabs, though expensive, work very well. Osmocote is also an option, though more expensive, it will last alot longer, since its sold by the kg I think.