Quick assistance

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Confidence

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 10, 2010
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Hey guys tomorrow i was going to start planting my planted tank, i have a sand substrate though and i have all of my bactiria and tank cycled, couple questions.

My substrate is sand do yo u recommend going with a diff substrate like a more nutriant plant friendly substrate, i do not care how long the plants take to grow, or staying with sand? if i stay with sand what will my sucess be with this tank? such as carpet on the bottom and a very lush tank?

Also if i drain the tank and switch to another substrate will i need to re cycle my tank? keep in mind all of my bacteria is already good to go and tank is currently running now with a couple other fish.
 
youre not adding co2 to this tank right? if not, then youre taking the lowtech approach and will need to get plants that are easy to grow. and most of these plants will not need a dedicated substrate. although it's a nice option, its not an expense you need to make.

as for re-cycling the tank, do you have other filters with enough bio media? are you relying on an under-gravel filter? if so, then you will lose your bacteria by swapping out substrates. if you have other filtration with enough bio media, then it wont matter.

and also keep in mind, without co2 and a full dosing regime, it will be nearly impossible to have a 'lush' tank with full of carpeting plants.
 
jcardona1;4373947; said:
youre not adding co2 to this tank right? if not, then youre taking the lowtech approach and will need to get plants that are easy to grow. and most of these plants will not need a dedicated substrate. although it's a nice option, its not an expense you need to make.

as for re-cycling the tank, do you have other filters with enough bio media? are you relying on an under-gravel filter? if so, then you will lose your bacteria by swapping out substrates. if you have other filtration with enough bio media, then it wont matter.

and also keep in mind, without co2 and a full dosing regime, it will be nearly impossible to have a 'lush' tank with full of carpeting plants.
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well at my LPS they have a cheap nice little c02 system for like 50 bucks with small cartridges, was thinking on getting that eventually, if i get that and keep the sand will i be able to get a carpet you think? or will i need a new substrate other then just beach sand, also i have bacteria in my biomedia in my current filter which is a penguin 350 70g, but i have no under gravel filter, but i really dont wanna drain my tank and add new substrate so im just sticking with the sand if it will work out in the way i want it to
 
if you want to eventually have a nice carpeting plant, then your gonna need a nutrient rich substrate. regular sand isnt gonna cut it.

as for the co2 kit, i would pass on it. it will get expensive. on a 75g youll be burning through those cartridges like you wouldnt believe. ideally, on a tank that size you should be running a 15-20lb co2 tank.

to be honest, this isnt something should just jump into right away. take your time, be patient, do your research, and buy the right equipment the first time around. you cant add the lighting and the co2 without also running a full fert routine. youll need the standard n-p-k & trace mineral ferts.

another thing, have you thought about diffusion of the co2? for a 75g tank youll most likely need a big external reactor to get good co2 levels. those little glass diffusors arent gonna cut it either...
 
jcardona1;4373991; said:
if you want to eventually have a nice carpeting plant, then your gonna need a nutrient rich substrate. regular sand isnt gonna cut it.

as for the co2 kit, i would pass on it. it will get expensive. on a 75g youll be burning through those cartridges like you wouldnt believe. ideally, on a tank that size you should be running a 15-20lb co2 tank.

to be honest, this isnt something should just jump into right away. take your time, be patient, do your research, and buy the right equipment the first time around. you cant add the lighting and the co2 without also running a full fert routine. youll need the standard n-p-k & trace mineral ferts.

another thing, have you thought about diffusion of the co2? for a 75g tank youll most likely need a big external reactor to get good co2 levels. those little glass diffusors arent gonna cut it either...
Click to expand...

haha well okay maybe ill pass on the co2 and go with a nice sand substrate some swords and other misc non co2 / sand only plants... any good plants you would recommend, what about mosses on my rocks / driftwood will they make it in my current environment? Also what about fish just like tetras guppies and couple algea eaters?
 
i really like anubias and java fern for non-co2 setups. its hard to beat the look of a ton of anubias. various mosses will do well too. i just tie them with sewing thread. fish, pretty much whatever you like really. i like community fish. you can try some cichlids although they might tear up your plants.

once your ready for co2, you can piece together a good kit for about $200, even less if you can find the regulator used
 
jcardona1;4374012; said:
i really like anubias and java fern for non-co2 setups. its hard to beat the look of a ton of anubias. various mosses will do well too. i just tie them with sewing thread. fish, pretty much whatever you like really. i like community fish. you can try some cichlids although they might tear up your plants.

once your ready for co2, you can piece together a good kit for about $200, even less if you can find the regulator used
Click to expand...

cool bro i really appreciate the assistance you have given me, one more thing currently i onyl have 25 lbs of sand in my 75g tank is that enough sand for the roots? they bury fine jsut wondering if that will be enough, also which cichllids arnt to agressive?
 
25lbs in a 75g tank sounds pretty thin. you usually want 2-3" of substrate. i used 100lbs in my 57g :eek:
 
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