Well I"m trying. Researching and that counts for something... you don't have to snap at me. I can't remember everything everyone has said to me. I'm unsure what to search for for plants. Which is why I post these things here... I"m also trying to find a lower costing one that will do the same thing.
I need help... and lots of it. Information overload...
- Thread starter Liz Sagara
- Start date
Liz Sagara;4848872; said:
I love lower cost searching, NOT A thing wrg with it.
Not trying to snap but you also have answers at the AC forums as well.
From Prober "Don't go crazy with the light unless you want to spend a ton on co2. Too much light and you will just get algae. That was a real nice light you found but you probably don't need four bulbs."
MoonstruckMuse "You definitely don't need super high light"
Coach "A standard T5 normal output (T5NO) bulb should be more than plenty on the 29. a standard T12 bulb would suffice on the 20 long" And just so you know I put Coach in the top 3 knowledgeable members when it comes to planted tanks.
JasonG75;4848876; said:
what works for you doesn't work for everyone. You should know that. I'm using Ecocomplete. Please keep it friendly. There's no need to get defensive or snippy. I"m trying to work out what's best for ME not what works for YOU.
JasonG75;4848902; said:
I can't figure out how to subscribe to it... I thought I did so I didn't check beause I hadn't gotten an e-mail about it. Checking it now. It seems I can find higher output better lights for less than I can find just regular plant bulbs... I can't afford a 200 dollar light system... Would just a couple shop lamps with the full spectrum plant lights work? I can't find this T5NO thing... sigh.
The one at big als...if you look further down the page it has the same light but for freshwater. It is not HO and would work perfectly for your set-up. IMO....Nice price as well. Would be hard to beat.
Sometimes your emails lag behind actual posts.
Sometimes your emails lag behind actual posts.
UPDATED INFO AN PRICE LIST!!!
Lighting: $47.60 http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209846/i/7/product.web
Tank: $55.69 http://www.petinsanity.com/product.php?pid=28539
Filter: $35.98 http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3610
Substrate: $25.98 http://www.petsolutions.com/storefr.../prodEcoCompletePlantedAquariumSubstrate.html
Plants:
Anubias Nana: x3 $12.83 http://cgi.ebay.com/Anubias-nana-Li...224?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5c076358
Java Fern: x3 $12.83 http://cgi.ebay.com/Java-Fern-x-1-b...358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414fa5d556
Weeping Moss: x1 $5.36 http://cgi.ebay.com/Weeping-Moss-Fi...694?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cadfb13a6
Cryptocoryne Crispatula Var. Balansae: x6 $32.15 http://cgi.ebay.com/Balansae-x3-Liv...788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca7ffe78c
Dwarf Hair Grass: x4 $23.82 http://cgi.ebay.com/Dwarf-Hairgrass...684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2309e9a9e4
Hardscape:
Rocks:
$15.05 http://cgi.ebay.com/PETRIFIED-WOOD-...218?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5a23bfa
$21.65 http://cgi.ebay.com/PETRIFIED-WOOD-...740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5a2518c
$23.22 http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-ROCK-D...808?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5be3e40
Tank inhabitants:
German Blue Rams: Pair $64.95 (male and female where possible) http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi/?fwapisto&1296850202
Japonica shrimp: x3 $15.98 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140480604577 - ht_568wt_1128
Oto catfish: x3 LFS $8.09
Total (excluding fish and rocks): $252.24
Total with rocks not fish: $312.16
Total with fish (estimated): $401.18
All prices include shipping and tax ( total multiplied by 1.0825) when applicable.
Ways to lower this:
1. Buy fish from LFS
2. Buy rocks from LFS
3. Shop around at LFS and find out prices on all of this stuff
Lighting: $47.60 http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209846/i/7/product.web
Tank: $55.69 http://www.petinsanity.com/product.php?pid=28539
Filter: $35.98 http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3610
Substrate: $25.98 http://www.petsolutions.com/storefr.../prodEcoCompletePlantedAquariumSubstrate.html
Plants:
Anubias Nana: x3 $12.83 http://cgi.ebay.com/Anubias-nana-Li...224?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5c076358
Java Fern: x3 $12.83 http://cgi.ebay.com/Java-Fern-x-1-b...358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414fa5d556
Weeping Moss: x1 $5.36 http://cgi.ebay.com/Weeping-Moss-Fi...694?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cadfb13a6
Cryptocoryne Crispatula Var. Balansae: x6 $32.15 http://cgi.ebay.com/Balansae-x3-Liv...788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca7ffe78c
Dwarf Hair Grass: x4 $23.82 http://cgi.ebay.com/Dwarf-Hairgrass...684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2309e9a9e4
Hardscape:
Rocks:
$15.05 http://cgi.ebay.com/PETRIFIED-WOOD-...218?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5a23bfa
$21.65 http://cgi.ebay.com/PETRIFIED-WOOD-...740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5a2518c
$23.22 http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-ROCK-D...808?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e5be3e40
Tank inhabitants:
German Blue Rams: Pair $64.95 (male and female where possible) http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi/?fwapisto&1296850202
Japonica shrimp: x3 $15.98 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140480604577 - ht_568wt_1128
Oto catfish: x3 LFS $8.09
Total (excluding fish and rocks): $252.24
Total with rocks not fish: $312.16
Total with fish (estimated): $401.18
All prices include shipping and tax ( total multiplied by 1.0825) when applicable.
Ways to lower this:
1. Buy fish from LFS
2. Buy rocks from LFS
3. Shop around at LFS and find out prices on all of this stuff
Liz Sagara;4848904; said:
What works for 1 species of plants, will work for the same species in the same enviroment. You ought to work out what's best for the plants and the general needs of said plant. For example all vals need is Nitrogen and a decent light, Dwarf baby Tears needs Co2 more than light, Amazon Swords are heavy root feeders and needs root tabs. If you like the LOOK of the eco complete then get some black moon sand.
You are going down the same road I did....when I first got into the planted tank hobby I wanted that 108W T5HO light, with the same results you are getting. I didnt listen and got it, and it looked great. About 2 months later (eco complete present as well) I had raised an ALGAE farm. I could only run my lights for 4 hrs a day and green water like crazy. The diy co2 just wasnt cutting it so I yanked it out and spent the 250.00 on pressurized co2 and now things are a little better. Now I still have more lighting than needed (55 gallon) and now fighting with fertz. I am telling you from experiance, work your way up from the bottom to the top. Meaning Start LOWTECH and work your way up to HGHT TECH if you wish. Learn your plants, learn your fertz, learn what it needed for each plant. GO BUY 101 best Aquatic Plants book (petco/petsmart) and 31 to avoid.
Obviously I care, or I wouldnt have wasted my time in writing ALL THIS.
Liz Sagara;4848944; said:
Post # 6
4. This is what you want...Normal output Strip light
http://cgi.ebay.com/SolarMax-30-T5-Aquarium-Tank-Strip-Light-Fixture-130-/300401113456?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f14d3970
Shop lights will work as well.
The same environment yes. But I doubt we live in the same place. The same environment would me that we would have the same water with the same amount of trace minerals and chemicals in it. We don't have the same Tap water though so I'm doing what's best for the environment I'm creating. I found a light. I added it to my list up there. I'm getting the Eco complete not to fight algae but to give myself time before I need to start dosing macro and micro nutrients. Plus... I don't want to do sand.
Liz Sagara;4849103; said:UPDATED INFO AN PRICE LIST!!!
Lighting: $47.60
Tank: $55.69
Filter: $35.98
Substrate: $25.98
Plants:
Anubias Nana: x3 $12.83
Java Fern: x3 $12.83
Weeping Moss: x1 $5.36
Cryptocoryne Crispatula Var. Balansae: x6 $32.15
Dwarf Hair Grass: x4 $23.82
Hardscape:
Rocks:
$15.05
$21.65
$23.22
Ways to lower this:
1. Buy fish from LFS
2. Buy rocks from LFS
3. Shop around at LFS and find out prices on all of this stuff
I don't know where you live...but Craigslist you might be able to find a 20L but $55 is a little high IMO for a 20gal
You can save money by buying plants from HERE or over at AC.
Hardscape, well I would look locally. But there is an awesome seller that sells wood at AC.
I would also go ONE level up on the filtration, YOU wont regret with.
Also you are going to NEED 2 bags of that Eco, TRUST ME !!
