Im new to planted tanks and i have just finished my 18 gallon planted tank... i have used ADA aqua soil as a substrate and im using a 36 watt 10500 kelvin pl lamp.... are these good enough for my tank..??? if so how long do i keep my lights on..?? and i have noticed bubbles coming out of the soil..?? is this normal..?? oooh and im using an electronic co2 system... dont have a drop checker yet and im wondering how much co2 is needed for my tank. it says here that it produces upto 620 ML.. and theres an adjustment thing called dial.. "the amount of co2 increases in proportion to the dial setting" there are five values 80 100 120 150 and 180.. i have no clue which one to set... :/
first planted tank.. HELP..!!
- Thread starter moosZ
- Start date
Welcome to planted tanks lol, first off I would try to find a 6500k bulb if you can. 6500k bulbs are closest to direct sunlight, and plants will love it, as for bubbles coming out of the substrate, that's normal. It happens when the substrate starts to settle in, as long as they don't smell rotten you should be ok. I would invest in a drop checker, or make your own just google "diy drop checker" and you'll find thousands of links on how to make your own drop checker, and the recipe for making drop checker solution.
As for the co2 system, I would set it on 100 for now until you can get a drop checker in the tank. Just watch to see if you notice any plant growth over the next few days, if not turn it up to 120. As long as you don't see fish gasping for air, then you'll be fine.
As for lighting cycle, my lights come on 9am, and turn off at 4pm I've had it set to this cycle for years on all of my tanks whether planted, cichlids, etc....
As for the co2 system, I would set it on 100 for now until you can get a drop checker in the tank. Just watch to see if you notice any plant growth over the next few days, if not turn it up to 120. As long as you don't see fish gasping for air, then you'll be fine.
As for lighting cycle, my lights come on 9am, and turn off at 4pm I've had it set to this cycle for years on all of my tanks whether planted, cichlids, etc....
Not a problem hope this will help with getting your tank on track, if you anymore questions feel free to send me a personal message anytime.