my first planted tank

[ltd81corvette]

I am setting up my first planted tank. I have been messing with different ways of where to place my driftwood and rocks...this is what I have come up with so far, I would like some input on my aquascaping---> http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc253/bootlegchelsea/DSC02655.jpg

This is a 55g, I have had this tank for some time now but I decided to tear it down to try at the planted tank thing. Im putting glosso, broadleaf, and some anubis in there. As far as lighting goes I will have two 65w compact bulbs, and a NO 40w fixture. I have two CO2 units hooked up right now. Substrate is the Aquariumplants.com brand substrate(not in tank right now, I just got done removing the rest of the blue aquarium rock). I will have more info and pictures as I go.

[ChrisGray]

i dont know what your planning on doing for a substrate but whenever you get one you can use it to help prop up the wood it you want to fill out more of the space on top. none of the plants you want will get tall enough for that. also glosso although cool needs very strong lighting to live. good start though cant wait to see finidhed pics!!!!!!!!

[ltd81corvette]

I just added more info, its under the pic. I guess I should have posted that earlier...:duh:

[cmj15]

:iagree: with ChrisGray none of the plants you have chosen will fill out the upper levels of the aquarium, if you wanted to leave the driftwood the way you have it you could get some taller plants such as the different sword plants, or vallisneria

[Aquaman_95]

I suggest a black substrate as it make's fishes colors show up more. Unless the are black fish.

[ltd81corvette]

Thanks for the input so far, I will look around at some taller plants.

As far as fish go I will only be adding rainbow fish and rasboras. The substrate im putting in is dark gray, I was thinking I might add a light layer of some dark flourite on top but im not sure if I will do that or not

[Bk828]

The wood and rocks are awesome.
The light layer of flourite wouldnt really be necessary since it will all be mixed in with regular gravel when you do a gravel vac (which you will be doing until all plants grow in)
Try some amazon swords, vals, anacharis, ferns and mosses on the wood

[The Happy Mud Skipper]

Just make sure you rinse the substrate!!! I made that mistake when i made a 125 planted and then i further messed up the tank by putting a stingray in it that stirred up all the substrate!! Tank looks good though..... I suggest looking into Siamese algea eaters..... with those lights you will get lots of algae & siamese algea eaters destroy algea without eating the plants........look up "Amano" on Google images and it will definately give you some good plant arangement ideas. Good Luck!

[Ace135]

ook up "Amano" on Google images and it will definately give you some good plant arangement ideas. Good Luck!

haha, thats what i did and thats what got me heavy in to the planted tanks.

[ltd81corvette]

I love Takashi Amano, his tanks are amazing:drool:. I cant wait to finish setting up my tank.

[ltd81corvette]

:help2:I am having a problem with the canopy. It gets too hot under the canopy when I run the compact bulbs and after about 10-15 minutes it smells like im burning plastic. The light strip that holds the 2 compacts has a fan on it but I can't think of a way to keep it cool while it runs. Am I going to have to cut the sides of the canopy:thumbsdow for better ventilation?? I would like to avoid cutting the canopy as much as possible. Any ideas

[cmj15]

get an additional fan or two and direct them towards the lights

[ltd81corvette]

Before the canopy I didnt have this problem. Do you still think an extra fan would help?

[Muske]

Fans will def. help. I have a home made canopy for VHOs. It is open in the back and has slots on the top so I don't have any heat issues. I have seen many other canopies that have small 3" or so fans on the sides. Here is a few pics. of my new tanks canopy, along w/my exsisting hood. I will be running PC is this and do away w/the VHOs since bulbs are becoming harder and harder to find. At least at my LFS, there is plenty on-line, but I prefer to get them local.
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The homemade canopy was meant to be temporary, but it worked and has been up for two years. The open back lets out a lot of light but keeps the bulbs cool. Using a router to cut grooves in the top may be a little less intrusive, but it comes down to personal pref. in looks. Like I said I have VHO which run even hotter than PCs, and have no overheating probs.

[ltd81corvette]

Sounds like a plan...I will post pics of what I do to the canopy