New 55 planted setup - thoughts?

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Gypsylion

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 19, 2006
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Dec: St. Louis, Jan: Boston!
Hiya folks!

I am moving to a new city and setting up a new planted 55 (or a breeder 40, haven't decided yet) first thing when I get there so I have a few questions for the board! I don't intend to have a CO2 setup and most of my fish are S. American and Asian community types (angels, cardinals, loaches, a red-tailed shark, a dragon goby, and a couple of killifish and pencilfish). I'll have an Eheim 2026 with mech and substrat pro (thanks WyldFya for the info!) and I want to keep my Emp 400, though I read that there are issues with surface movement and reduction of existing CO2. Lighting is yet to be determined. So here are my questions:

1. I've never done sand but I want to. What do you think about a Flourite or Eco-complete bed with sand over it? Any experience or preference between those two? "Rex" also recommends putting a layer of ground peat on the bottom, then your good plant substrate - is this necessary and will it do the tannin thing to my water?

2. I've always wanted a nice carpet of microsword but have yet to succeed in my previous two 75s - should I try a different "groundcover"? Or does it just need something I haven't given it (like CO2)?

3. What's the most successful and affordable lighting solution that you've found? I've always had florescents but I'd like to switch to something a bit more modern and efficient, energy-wise. Any tips for something less than $200? PC? With or without lunar lights? Combos?

4. Will the canister be enough filtration on its own if I decide to ditch the HOB? Is there anything I need to watch out for? I've never had a setup without biowheels of some sort!

Thanks for any and all info! :grinno:
 
Gypsylion;621714; said:
1. I've never done sand but I want to. What do you think about a Flourite or Eco-complete bed with sand over it? Any experience or preference between those two? "Rex" also recommends putting a layer of ground peat on the bottom, then your good plant substrate - is this necessary and will it do the tannin thing to my water?
Click to expand...

Sand is fine, but it is not good to have your layers of substrate get smaller the higher they are. The smaller grains will trap gasses that are harmful to your tank. Flourite is really good, as is eco-complete. EC has a better look IMO, but it is fairly optional which you use. I use flourite in most of my tanks, as I don't intend to see the substrate at all.

2. I've always wanted a nice carpet of microsword but have yet to succeed in my previous two 75s - should I try a different "groundcover"? Or does it just need something I haven't given it (like CO2)?
Click to expand...

In order to have a good carpet of any plant, you will need to have a balanced environment. Co2, ferts and lighting must be balanced, and in the proper amounts to encourage optimum growth, which will then achieve your carpetting effect.

3. What's the most successful and affordable lighting solution that you've found? I've always had florescents but I'd like to switch to something a bit more modern and efficient, energy-wise. Any tips for something less than $200? PC? With or without lunar lights? Combos?
Click to expand...

The most cost effective lighting right now is HO T5 bulbs. They are going to be around the same price as a PC hood, but will have a little more light, and will be cheaper to replace bulbs on. They are somewhat hard to get still though. Next in line would be the PC fixtures. I'd do a double linear set, lunar lights can be had, but you will end up spending around $150 more for the light that way as you will have to switch out 2 bulbs plus the initial cost is higher.

4. Will the canister be enough filtration on its own if I decide to ditch the HOB? Is there anything I need to watch out for? I've never had a setup without biowheels of some sort!
Click to expand...

The canister will achieve water movement, you may or may not need more. THe majority of your filtration will actually come from the plants.
 
THANKS! You're awesome.

I was talking with my fish guy today and he was telling me that he's a recent advocate of a new soil substrate that he covers with laterite. It's called Flouro-something... I can't remember the exact name but it comes in a white tub with a green top (like the laterite that's in a tub with a red top) and it looks just like fine soil. He says he puts a 1/2" of that in the tank, then covers it with about 2-2.5" of laterite and his clients' plants are LOVING it. The catch, of course, is that you have to be very careful when you're putting the water in and it's not the cheapest way to go. It's cost-prohibitive for me (about 2x what 3" of eco-complete will cost me) but it sounds really interesting.

So I'm going to go with eco-complete on the floor (on top of peat plates, maybe?), T5's on top (would two double-bulb strips be a good bet?), and my 2026 with mech and substrat. And look into taking the plunge into CO2. :)

Thanks for all the info!
 
Personally I would ditch the laterite, and go flourite instead. I also prefer the flourite over eco-complete. I would do 2 HO T5 bulbs over a 55 for only a low-medium light necessity tank. If you want to go all out, do at least 4, I'd personally do 6 48" High Output T5 bulbs. CO2 isn't too expensive compared to the lighting or the substrate or plant stock, or even the tank itself. Check out the milwaukee SMS 122 for a cheap, but good pH controller. The set that comes on Ebay with the SMS is also a good reg combo, and is very cheap.
 
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