WyldFya;493495; said:
I would use a laterite based substrate. Filtration, go with a XP2, and make sure that there isn't much surface agitation. Driftwood is optional, if you like it use it. CO2 is very good to have. Lighting depends on the plants you intend to keep. For a basic planted tank I'd go with at least 165 watts for the tank. A double PC hood would be better. As to ferts I use dry ferts from gregwatson.com. Liquid ferts are next to useless, there just isn't enough in them for your money.
That's EXACTLY how I run my 55 planted.
Xp2, 260 watts of Power compact lighting, ferts from greg watson, CO2 canister with solenoid and a Pinpoint PH
Controller (as apposed to PH monitor.)
CO2 is cheap to maintain, the refills are under 10 bucks for a 5lbs cylinder and mine has lasted over 6 months so far.
I'd also strongly recommend one of thies:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12703&
I baught mine from ebay for a little cheaper.
It's a little bit of a pain to fit on the Xp2/3 (the flex tubing needs warmed and stretched a little, not much though) but works great, adjusts to the water level as some evaps.
All the hardware installed on my 55 is:
Xp2,
bio media (Matrix I think?)
Coralife 260watt PC lighting,
Stealth heater,
airpump connected to the controller,
Silicon tubing (Co2 destroys vynal,)
High quality air stone (Coralife limewood I think.)
CO2 pressure regulator w/ solennoid,
Pinpoint Co2 controller
and a small fan to keep it cool.
that surface skimmer
I'd recommend a slightly small airstone because when the controller kicks it on to burn off CO2 if it moves to much water the PH change might happen to quickly.
This link offers the beginners guide to dosing ferts, it gives you a list of dry ferts to order aswell.
If you're heavily stocked skip the KNO3.
The Fertilator:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/fertilator.php
This little gift from god lets you calculate how much ferts you should be dosing to hit the target range for each reading.
If you need any more help drop me a PM.
