Setting Up a Nano Planted?

[TacomaMan]

So I am currently in college and live in an apartment. I am allowed to have up to twenty gallons and already have an 8 g reef biocube. That allows me to have 12 additional gallons. Anyway, I am looking to set up a nano planted tank that I can easily manage. I want it to look professional, but not over the top in the money category if you get what I mean. I have extensive experience with reef and freshwater tanks and I feel that the planted regions of fish keeping are the last to conquer for me. I have taken botany classes and being a forestry major I have a good background in plants, so dont be afraid to toss some vocab words around.

Here is what Im interested in and what I am looking for:

Interested in:
-Im shooting for a tank in the range of 3-6 gallons. I dont want something that is going to take forever to fill out. I basically want a desk top tank.
-I have done some research and am probably going to try to use a "sun lamp" from home depot as a light source.I have seen people have great success with this and am interested in trying it for myself.
-I have a CO2 unit that I am going to use to ensure good growth.
-Fertilizer. I am going to use this sparingly. I dont want an algae farm!

Looking for:
-Filtration? What should I use?!
-Heater, is it needed for planted?
-Plants to use.
-Anything else that comes to your mind

I am looking for a tank that is flourishing. I want plant life to engulf the tank and have that eye-popping green! Here is what I am shooting for, ya its not going to happen my first time around, but its a good goal to have!!!!!


I am just looking for some guidance!!!
INSPIRE ME!!!!

 

[chonhzilla]

The Fluval Flora is a good choice, it's pretty much an all in one kit with a decent price. The only thing you may have to buy later on is a small heater. I have the same kit but mine is the Fluval Ebi, supposedly made for shrimps, but it was on clearance and paid only a $89 out the door.

Here's my kit:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=404533

 

[TacomaMan]

The Fluval Flora is a good choice, it's pretty much an all in one kit with a decent price. The only thing you may have to buy later on is a small heater. I have the same kit but mine is the Fluval Ebi, supposedly made for shrimps, but it was on clearance and paid only a $89 out the door.

Here's my kit:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=404533

I'm digging that kit, but I broke down yesterday and bought a 2.5 gallon and set it up. Here is what is currently in the tank:

-2.5 gallon tank.
-1 bag of caribsea flora max (original).
-1 nano heater I had lying around.
-1 Tom's Aquarium Mini Internal Filter. The fact that it has a spray bar is AWESOME!
-1 CO2 unit
Now this is where I ran into some problems..the light. I was expecting home depot to have one of those "sun lamps" for thirty bucks, but they discontinued them about two months ago. I checked all the LFS and they didnt have any small lights that I could use. So I ventured to Petco and picked up two of the ultra sun bulbs. They are 6500k and 10W so I think they will be ok for now..

Do you guys think that this light will work? Also, is two over kill? I mean that is 20 W for 2.5 gallons after all.. I am eventually going to buy a proper light fixture, but this will have to do for now.

Anything else you guys think of,let me know

 

[chonhzilla]

Pics

 

[TacomaMan]

Pics

unfortunately I cant I am in class and probably wont be at my apartment till tomorrow night or so. But I will definitely post some as soon as I can!

 

[benzjamin13]

I have a 2.5g that I'm setting up with some HC as well. I have a mini compact fluorescent lighting fixture that's hard to find a bulb for, outside the internet. So I ended up getting a new fixture with a normal socket so it's easier to find bulbs for it. I got a ZooMed Naturalistic Terrarium Hood from Petco in the Reptile section. I put a 10w Mini Compact Fluorescent Ultra-Sun bulb in it

 

[TacomaMan]

I have a 2.5g that I'm setting up with some HC as well. I have a mini compact fluorescent lighting fixture that's hard to find a bulb for, outside the internet. So I ended up getting a new fixture with a normal socket so it's easier to find bulbs for it. I got a ZooMed Naturalistic Terrarium Hood from Petco in the Reptile section. I put a 10w Mini Compact Fluorescent Ultra-Sun bulb in it

Should make a "10 w mini compact fluorescent" social group ,jk

Anyway, have you planted anything in it yet?! if so, how are your plants doing?

 

[TacomaMan]

o and a nice little fact, Zoo Med headquaters is located across the street from me. I could literally hit their building with a rock! kinda cool so if this bulb doesnt work out, Im throwing it at their front door

 

[benzjamin13]

I just planted some HC in there either Thursday or Friday. So far, so good. I got a Nutrafin CO2 System that I had running in my Fluval Edge, but now it's on the 2.5g. I replaced that CO2 System with the Fluval Pressurized CO2 88g Canister in my Edge now. Figured, I can't let that CO2 go to waste now Not sure how effective it is since I'm growing the HC emerged. So the CO2 is there...just not in the water.

 

[TacomaMan]

I just planted some HC in there either Thursday or Friday. So far, so good. I got a Nutrafin CO2 System that I had running in my Fluval Edge, but now it's on the 2.5g. I replaced that CO2 System with the Fluval Pressurized CO2 88g Canister in my Edge now. Figured, I can't let that CO2 go to waste now Not sure how effective it is since I'm growing the HC emerged. So the CO2 is there...just not in the water.

I have the nutrafin system too! I dont like ladder diffuser so Im going to make a new one. How did you plant the HC and do you have any tips for it??? I know the stuff can be a pain to plant. Also where did you get it from?!