Journal NC AL’s First Planted Tank (8g AIO)

[NC AL]

Current Picture Of The Tank



Feb 2026​

 

[NC AL]

I had a freshwater tank as a teen. Then saltwater and then left the hobby. A few years back I started back again with reef tanks. I am really enjoying the hobby and have recently grown interested in planted tanks. The newness might be what is drawing me to it, or perhaps the ease of maintenance compared to reef tanks.

I am starting small with an 8 gallon Coralland AIO. The display is about 5.5 gallons. I have put in the equipment to do a mechanical test. Before I filled the tank I mounted some driftwood to the back wall. This should give me more planting room while more exposed ground will help create the illusion of more depth.

 

[techman81]

.....or perhaps the ease of maintenance compared to reef tanks.

Careful! As you browse through journals here, you'll see there's lots of variation in levels of maintenance when it comes to planted tanks.

 

[NC AL]

Careful! As you browse through journals here, you'll see there's lots of variation in levels of maintenance when it comes to planted tanks.

For sure, but the just the lack of mixing saltwater and being able to do a water change from the sink would drastically reduce my maintenance efforts. I have good clean well water. So I should be able to fill from the sink and send waste water down the drain. These are two things I can not with my reef tanks.

I also ordered some plants. I asked them to be shipped out next Monday. They decided to ship them yesterday instead. So now it is a mad rush to get everything ready before Saturday.

 

[*Ci*]

What is the substrate going to be?

 

[techman81]

What is the substrate going to be?

This was going to be my question as well. If using aquasoil and planting immediately in an uncycled tank be prepared for some plant melt. Some hardy plants won't mind but others might be quite sensitive to the high initial ammonia.

 

[NC AL]

What is the substrate going to be?

This was going to be my question as well. If using aquasoil and planting immediately in an uncycled tank be prepared for some plant melt. Some hardy plants won't mind but others might be quite sensitive to the high initial ammonia.

Yes I am not happy with events, but it is what it is. I am using aqua soil, but capped with sand with bacteria. I have added some additional nitrifying bacteria. I was hopping to have 5 days with tank running and cycling before the plants. I was able to get everything up and running yesterday so after my overnight dipping of the plants I am hoping it will be cycled enough. There isnt any fish or anything so it would just be what is leeching out of the capped aquasoil.

Here is what I ordered if you are interested. Most are hardy easier plants. Probably too much for the tank

 

[ElleDee]

Not all aquasoils have super high initial ammonia spikes. I have used Controsoil and never saw one, and according to their marketing copy that is as they intended.

 

[Koan]

Not all aquasoils have super high initial ammonia spikes

Second this, Platinum doesn't have super high spikes either.

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A bit, but nothing like aquasoil.

Bear in mind you want to use the "super powder" smallest grain size for some reason what they call "normal powder" is way too big of granules to plant in easily , the plants just float out

 

[techman81]

Not all aquasoils have super high initial ammonia spikes. I have used Controsoil and never saw one, and according to their marketing copy that is as they intended.

My experience with Controsoil was that, while not nearly as bad of an ammonia spike as Amazonia, it was still relatively high and some plants that went in immediately, struggled, even though they were healthy submersed grown cuttings. But I can't say for sure it was the soil and not something else I missed.

 

[ElleDee]

My experience with Controsoil was that, while not nearly as bad of an ammonia spike as Amazonia, it was still relatively high and some plants that went in immediately, struggled, even though they were healthy submersed grown cuttings. But I can't say for sure it was the soil and not something else I missed.

There may be some inconsistency between batches, so it's possible you got a hot bag and I didn't.

 

[NC AL]

This is the actual product I used.


I also removed the driftwood off the back and decided to fix it to the bottom.

Regarding my plant shipment: I am still upset they were shipped earlier than I asked, but the plants arrived today. They were in great shape and have been growing in water already. Plus they pretty much doubled my order. I have way too many plants! No way the will fit. They are currently being reverse respiration dipped. I will try to sell what I can’t use locally.

Current state of the tank.







I am not a fan of the color of the pebbles, but they will be covered with Monte Carlo eventually.

 

[NC AL]

Plants went in this morning and fingers crossed. I have some ground covering plants coming in a few days.

 

[NC AL]

The wisteria didn't do well, so it was replaced with hornwort. All other plants have new growth.

 

[Koan]

Curious are you dealing with an ammonia spike? Don't know much about the Aqueon soil

 

[NC AL]

I am only checking ammonia with an API strip. Probably not the most accurate, but without fish I wasn't worried. Nothing of any significance was being detected. I was actually adding ammonia (a few drops a day) to help move along the cycling. I now have some shrimp. Between that and decaying dead leaves I have stopped supplementing ammonia.

My plan is too add fish in a week or two. I have to decide what I am going with. With a tank this small I am really stuck with what I get first. I am leaning towards guppies, or ember tetras.

 

[Koan]

I now have some shrimp

If your shrimp are doing well, that is a strong indicator of no ammonia. Shrimp do not tolerate ammonia, nitrite or elevated nitrates

My plan is too add fish in a week or two

Here are some good possible fish options for your nano tank!

The 15 Essential Nano Fish Species With Complete Profiles - NanoFishNest

Discover the 15 best nano fish for small aquariums. Complete guide with care requirements, compatibility charts, stocking plans, and expert setup tips for 5-20 gallon tanks.

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I would lean away from guppies as a heavy feeding, heavy-bodied little fish you don't want to overproduce nitrates and stress out your shrimps

 

[NC AL]

If your shrimp are doing well, that is a strong indicator of no ammonia. Shrimp do not tolerate ammonia, nitrite or elevated nitrates

I would lean away from guppies as a heavy feeding, heavy-bodied little fish you don't want to overproduce nitrates and stress out your shrimps

Shrimp went in on Monday and I belieeeeeeeeeve I have the same number I started with. Hard to count sometimes. I will take what you said into account about the guppies. Thanks.

 

[Koan]

and I belieeeeeeeeeve I have the same number I started with

Distressed shrimp are easy to spot, they swim frantically about in the water, rather than climbing around feeding on the plants and substrate