Brand new set up (help needed)!

[apalmer]

Hi all,

I have just ordered a new tank 36 x 36 (high) x 24 with a sump, which is due just before christmas.

I have had large aquariums for years but never really had planted tanks. Now the more I am looking at it I really fancy keeping a planted tank with ideally a red wolf fish (I think).

After reading up the depth and sump seem to be an issue of lighting and Co2 is there any recommendations for lighting or co2 systems. I have been using chinese black box lights and kessils on my previous tanks.

Any help on getting this started, substrate, lights, specific filter media that you think I should be looking at, that would be great.

Thanks

Alex

 

[twentyleagues]

Well first off it really depends on the type of plants tbh. You will probably have a hard time keeping stem plants with the wolf fish. 36" is a deep tank for plants too. Cheap lights probably won't cut it. If you have been using kessils on tanks without plants switch them to this tank they should be good depending on which ones and again what plants. Co2 is helpful I've used cheap regulators and nicer ones they all work but how well can you dial it in and how well do you need to dial it in is the question. Alot of your questions really depends on plant selection. I'd go for more robust plants that either are tough and/or don't need to be rooted in the substrate. I really think the wolf will break delicate stem plants. As for substrate I'd use a sand for the wolf.

 

[kno4te]

I’d try Amazonia for substrate if ur going the co2 route. For the lights as twentyleagues has mentioned the Kessils will work well. If you have a sump then I’d use it and keep a space similar to a refugium. Any media will work but lava rock is what I use and it works. It can be used to build up the scape too.

It could work with a little red wolf fish but need a log or hideout and. Clearing for the fish to mess around with. It still could mess up a temp plants. Think a high tank won’t work though.

 

[apalmer]

Well first off it really depends on the type of plants tbh. You will probably have a hard time keeping stem plants with the wolf fish. 36" is a deep tank for plants too. Cheap lights probably won't cut it. If you have been using kessils on tanks without plants switch them to this tank they should be good depending on which ones and again what plants. Co2 is helpful I've used cheap regulators and nicer ones they all work but how well can you dial it in and how well do you need to dial it in is the question. Alot of your questions really depends on plant selection. I'd go for more robust plants that either are tough and/or don't need to be rooted in the substrate. I really think the wolf will break delicate stem plants. As for substrate I'd use a sand for the wolf.

Thanks for coming back to me. I will look into hardy plants and putting the kessil onto this tank when it finally arrives. Where do you think the best place would be for the co2 injection to be and is there a specific brand you recommend for a whole setup?

Thanks

 

[apalmer]

I’d try Amazonia for substrate if ur going the co2 route. For the lights as twentyleagues has mentioned the Kessils will work well. If you have a sump then I’d use it and keep a space similar to a refugium. Any media will work but lava rock is what I use and it works. It can be used to build up the scape too.

It could work with a little red wolf fish but need a log or hideout and. Clearing for the fish to mess around with. It still could mess up a temp plants. Think a high tank won’t work though.

Is the high tank a problem for the fish or plants? I have had channa bleheri in my 6 foot and would be open to another one of them in this tank if the wolf doesnt work, unless you have any suggestions?

 

[kno4te]

Is the high tank a problem for the fish or plants? I have had channa bleheri in my 6 foot and would be open to another one of them in this tank if the wolf doesnt work, unless you have any suggestions?

For the fish. I’d try some schooling tetras etc thatd be my suggestion.

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks for coming back to me. I will look into hardy plants and putting the kessil onto this tank when it finally arrives. Where do you think the best place would be for the co2 injection to be and is there a specific brand you recommend for a whole setup?

Thanks

I don't really. I've tried a few but typically I go low tech. I'm looking a setting up a high tech planted tank but may just go with a small reef instead. I've done both and honestly reef is easier then high tech planted.

 

[Fishman Dave]

If looking at plants for that depth I would certainly try giant vallis. Can put it in clay pots if it being dug up is an issue until it really starts rooting.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Looks like you're on the right track. I set up a planted tank the same dimensions as yours awhile back but eventually broke it down. Like the others have said the 36" height demands powerful lighting. Here's the thread on mine that might contain some more answers for you:

New to planted tanks and such-135 setup

Just recently shifted my stock around, leaving my 36x24x36 tank empty. Ive decided to attempt a planted tank with it, which is a first for me. Need advice for plants, lighting, substrate, temperature, stocking, pretty much anything and everything a beginner should know. I use a large...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[phreeflow]

I’d suggest not using a nutrient rich soil like Amazonia, Kessils, and CO2 unless you plan on have stem plants or other fast growing plants that can keep up with that sort of nutrient load. If you just stick some low tech anubius, ferns, or crypts in that sort of environment, they’ll get overrun with algae as they can’t uptake all those nutrients fast enough.

It’ll be easier to go low tech and and have some of those robust plants like vallisneria, Sagittaria, crypt, anubius, bolbitis, etc without the headaches. If you must have all that high tech gear then maybe it’ll be better to go with a full on carpet plant and some stems you can snip and throw out weekly.