This is my first REAL attempt at a planted tank (twice before I threw plants in not knowing they needed so much attention).
Anyways, the tank is a 120 gallon 4 X 2 X 2 (LxWxH) and has a large tree trunk 3D background.
Substrate
50-50 mixture of Eco-Complete and black sand blasting sand.
Lighting
118watts total. Lights sit about 26-27 above the substrate.
1 - 4' T5HO single light fixture with a great reflector
1 - 4' T8 double fixture with white reflectors (shop light)
Dosing Regimen
1.5% DIY glutaraladehyde mixture- Dosed at 50 ml after water change and 10 ml daily (might get rid of the loading phase and just dose 10 ml daily)
The following will be dosed weekly after the water change:
KNO3 - 1/4 teaspoon
KH2PO4 - 1/8 teaspoon
Plantex CSM +Boron (solution) - 1/2 tablespoon
I will be performing weekly 40-50% water changes
Below are the parameters of my water here in Fort Worth over the last year.
Nitrate - .75ppm
Nitrite - .4ppm
PH - 8.0 - 8.4
Calcium - 97-110ppm
Magnesium - 4-8ppm
Sulfate - 25-38
Sodium - 14-28ppm
Copper - .51ppm
Total Hardness as CaCO3 - 117-133ppm
Total Hardness in grains - 7-8 grains/gallon
Stock List
8 Clown Loaches (ranging from 3 to 10)
5 Geo Tapajos (3-4)
5 Roseline Sharks
3 Discus
1 Golden Nugget Pleco (L018)
Plants
Amazon Sword
Anubias Nana
Java Fern
Crinum Natans
Cryto Balansae
Sag Subulata (Dwarf Sag)
Green Tiger Lotus
I put together a very quick sketch of my plans on a sheet of paper as you can see below. The tank can only be viewed from the left and bottom side of the drawing. The swiggly lines that encase most of the bigger plants is the dwarf Sag. Both pieces of drift wood will have Anubias or Java Fern tied to them. Also, there is a triangular portion in the middle that will be bare sand only to allow room for my Geos to sift.
Please critique my setup as I am just in the planning stages and want to make sure I have this right the first time.
Anyways, the tank is a 120 gallon 4 X 2 X 2 (LxWxH) and has a large tree trunk 3D background.
Substrate
50-50 mixture of Eco-Complete and black sand blasting sand.
Lighting
118watts total. Lights sit about 26-27 above the substrate.
1 - 4' T5HO single light fixture with a great reflector
1 - 4' T8 double fixture with white reflectors (shop light)
Dosing Regimen
1.5% DIY glutaraladehyde mixture- Dosed at 50 ml after water change and 10 ml daily (might get rid of the loading phase and just dose 10 ml daily)
The following will be dosed weekly after the water change:
KNO3 - 1/4 teaspoon
KH2PO4 - 1/8 teaspoon
Plantex CSM +Boron (solution) - 1/2 tablespoon
I will be performing weekly 40-50% water changes
Below are the parameters of my water here in Fort Worth over the last year.
Nitrate - .75ppm
Nitrite - .4ppm
PH - 8.0 - 8.4
Calcium - 97-110ppm
Magnesium - 4-8ppm
Sulfate - 25-38
Sodium - 14-28ppm
Copper - .51ppm
Total Hardness as CaCO3 - 117-133ppm
Total Hardness in grains - 7-8 grains/gallon
Stock List
8 Clown Loaches (ranging from 3 to 10)
5 Geo Tapajos (3-4)
5 Roseline Sharks
3 Discus
1 Golden Nugget Pleco (L018)
Plants
Amazon Sword
Anubias Nana
Java Fern
Crinum Natans
Cryto Balansae
Sag Subulata (Dwarf Sag)
Green Tiger Lotus
I put together a very quick sketch of my plans on a sheet of paper as you can see below. The tank can only be viewed from the left and bottom side of the drawing. The swiggly lines that encase most of the bigger plants is the dwarf Sag. Both pieces of drift wood will have Anubias or Java Fern tied to them. Also, there is a triangular portion in the middle that will be bare sand only to allow room for my Geos to sift.
Please critique my setup as I am just in the planning stages and want to make sure I have this right the first time.
