I scored a free 60gal tank, canister filter, power head, heater, light and lid at a garage sale. I was looking at it, and the guy said "just take it, I don't want to carry it downstairs again". 
Anyways,
I was expecting a big argument as soon as I brought it home as both my parents don't seem to like fish much... or so I thought. I came home from work a few days ago and found the beat up old tank, sparkling clean and sitting on a pair of sawhorses in the backyard. My dad (65 and retired) took it upon himself to clean it up and repair the damaged trim along the bottom. I told him "Thanks, but you didn't have to do that" (my thoughts were that it was going to be resold as is, and personally it was free and I wouldn't bother cleaning up a tank that dirty only to sell it for $30.
I brought home a bottle of bourbon that day and had a few drinks with my dad while discussing this tank. Long story short he told me he wants to set it up in the far corner of the basement. Hoping to inspire him further I said he can have the tank and all the equipment.
He use to be a fish keeper back in his 30's and I think with his new retirement, he was starting to get board sitting around the house.
We got talking about potential setups over the next few days and he has decided to do a planted community tank. After another day of convincing him that hes going to need more then a simple tube light (that came with the tank) to grow plants, I convinced him to buy a 48" T5HO 54w X2. He didn't want to spend more then $200 and that's the best we could find with that money. That gives us 1.8 watts per gallon which should be good for low light plants??? also a 60gal isn't very deep which should help.
I mentioned that some people use c02 systems and he laughed at the idea. He's quite stubborn so I dropped the idea right there. I suggested that more fish would be better (to provide more c02 to the plants) and he agreed. Which leads me to my question...
How would "you" stock a 60g planted community tank?
What plants could you use, based on the lighting I mentioned?
my dad says, he has grown plants in the past using just fine gravel and two 60w light bulbs, no soil. I almost don't believe that. Can it be done without soil?
Anyways,
I was expecting a big argument as soon as I brought it home as both my parents don't seem to like fish much... or so I thought. I came home from work a few days ago and found the beat up old tank, sparkling clean and sitting on a pair of sawhorses in the backyard. My dad (65 and retired) took it upon himself to clean it up and repair the damaged trim along the bottom. I told him "Thanks, but you didn't have to do that" (my thoughts were that it was going to be resold as is, and personally it was free and I wouldn't bother cleaning up a tank that dirty only to sell it for $30.
I brought home a bottle of bourbon that day and had a few drinks with my dad while discussing this tank. Long story short he told me he wants to set it up in the far corner of the basement. Hoping to inspire him further I said he can have the tank and all the equipment.
He use to be a fish keeper back in his 30's and I think with his new retirement, he was starting to get board sitting around the house.We got talking about potential setups over the next few days and he has decided to do a planted community tank. After another day of convincing him that hes going to need more then a simple tube light (that came with the tank) to grow plants, I convinced him to buy a 48" T5HO 54w X2. He didn't want to spend more then $200 and that's the best we could find with that money. That gives us 1.8 watts per gallon which should be good for low light plants??? also a 60gal isn't very deep which should help.
I mentioned that some people use c02 systems and he laughed at the idea. He's quite stubborn so I dropped the idea right there. I suggested that more fish would be better (to provide more c02 to the plants) and he agreed. Which leads me to my question...
How would "you" stock a 60g planted community tank?
What plants could you use, based on the lighting I mentioned?
my dad says, he has grown plants in the past using just fine gravel and two 60w light bulbs, no soil. I almost don't believe that. Can it be done without soil?
