Planted Tank Help

[FSM]

Don't get anything that uses paintball CO2 tanks. They won't last long enough to make any initial savings worthwhile. A 10 or 20 lb tank would be ideal.

Oh yeah, do I have to do a pansy fish in a planted tank? By that I mean neons and stuff like that, lol?

Only if you want to be depressingly boring and unoriginal, like most of the tanks I see on planted tank forums.

 

[jcardona1]

yeah definitely stay away from the paintball stuff. its a huge waste of money. i always see people regret it and wish they had gone with standard regulators.

as for the fish, most people use small fish because they wont disrupt the plants. i would say get whatever fish wont destroy all your hard work! these tanks are usually more about the plants than the fish believe it or not. the fish are just a small highlight of the tank, not the main feature

 

[FLESHY]

Depends...I have seen arrowanas in planted tanks. It is deffinitely HARDER to have the monsters in planted tanks.

You can get a top of the line co2 system for the price of that piece together or the cost of excel for you over a year.

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/

These are some of the best full co2 kits that money can buy. VERY high quality parts, great customer service. IF you are even planing on paying $200 for a setup I would consider these guys instead.

 

[jcardona1]

+1 for GLA. its a great company!

 

[Davey_8313]

Alright, guys, thanks. I'm going to go look at that website now. As for fish, I know that most big cichlids won't work I think, but what about convicts, cutteri, HRPs, and such? I could see an arowana working since they're top dwellers. Any more advice on easier carpet plants?

 

[FLESHY]

I would generally stay away from any fish that has the capability or the inclination to move substrate. This includes virtually ALL cichlids, however there are some that are "With Caution"...I wouldnt risk it. But seeing as how the focus in this tank isnt on the plants...guess you have to do what you have to do.

That being said there are other monsters. With a little bit of flow, and the right circumstances you might be able to do a school of bala sharks or something. That would be neat.

 

[Davey_8313]

Do tinfoil barbs move substrate? I like those better than bala sharks. I plan on getting a Koralia 3 or 4 to get some flow. I mostly just don't want little neons and all that stuff. You have any recommendations or is it trial and error for other stuff?

 

[Davey_8313]

How many WPG would you recommend for some carpeting plants?

 

[jcardona1]

forget about the wpg rule! check this thread out. to get good growth from a carpeting plant youll need to be in the high light category, and co2/ferts will have to be added

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331913&highlight=par+meter

 

[Davey_8313]

Alright, so no more WPG, lol. I'm working on the Co2 part already, so trying to get the light part right. Thanks again, J...