Am i on the right track

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bwid713

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 26, 2007
136
0
0
Pittsburgh
I want to start adding plants to my tank, here is some info on my tank

54 corner tank
2 strip 20watt 50/50(i know kinda weak, but it also gets a good bit of natural light)
25lbs medium natural dark gravel
15.4lbs fluorite red substrate
some larger rocks
HOT magnum canister filter
Aqua Clear 70

the substrate bed is a lil over 2 inches deep

Stock list:
2 6" hujeta gars
1 8" tiretrack eel
1 3" red tail shark
1 7" sen poly
1 4" striped raphy cat
and feeders occasionally (rosy reds, or livebearers)

Lookin to keep to low light, relatively easy care. Besdies the lack of lightin, and the burrowing eel do you guys feel im on the right track, this is my first shot at live plants. Any additions or subractions i should make? Also Some ideas of plants that will fit into this setup?
 
Need more light. 3 watts per gallon. Indirect light will usually only cause algae to grow.
 
Knowdafish;1966359;1966359 said:
Need more light. 3 watts per gallon. Indirect light will usually only cause algae to grow.
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What you just typed is a contradiction of itself. Natural light causes algae, but he needs to up his lighting. :screwy: Low light plants don't need 3wpg, and if he isn't using straight T8/T10/T12 bulbs (not 50/50) WPG doesn't really apply too well. Light in any form will promote algae growth in a tank, whether it be the sun or artificial light. Even incandescent bulbs can grow algae.
 
The tiretrack eel will uproot all of your plants, he has to go, otherwise there is no point in getting flourite. The Raphael cat will cause problems as well. It would be best to remove him as well. The poly will be alright with plants but you will find plants floating from time to time with him in the tank. Your lights are not the best you could use. Look for a bulb with a K rating between 5,000K and 10,000K. For plants, if you just want easy, try anubias, java ferns, java moss, aponogetons, cryptocorynes, amazon swords, wisteria, hygrophila species, vallisenaria, egeria densa or najas, and hornwort.
 
Thanks.

The tiretrack cant go until i find a new tanks for her, (the misses wont have it, thats her princess) but as far as ive seen her in this tank and the last she only burrows during tank cleanning when i have everythin out of the tank. So i may try some cheaper things and see how she handels it... if need be the plants can move easier then moving the eel.

What problems with the raphy cas, digging up the plants, or eating them???
 
Ok new tank setups, The girlfriend bought a new 75 today for her eel, and i picked up a used 55 for the gars.

So the eel will be moved to a 75
the gars and the raphy will go to the 55

so that jsut leaves the poly and the redtail shark in the 54 corner.

Is this lookin like a better Scenario
 
bwid713;1968264;1968264 said:
Ok new tank setups, The girlfriend bought a new 75 today for her eel, and i picked up a used 55 for the gars.

So the eel will be moved to a 75
the gars and the raphy will go to the 55

so that jsut leaves the poly and the redtail shark in the 54 corner.

Is this lookin like a better Scenario
Click to expand...
Yep, now time for plants.
 
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