Setting up my first 55 gallon tank, need your input!

[DrUgS]

I am thinking of starting up my first planted tank (55gallon) and I need some advice. I will try to post a pic if I get everything together in the future.

Stock = 2-3 clown loaches + rummy nose tetras + possibly a golden nugget pleco (would there be a problem /w the pleco?) + other small fish.

Plants = possiblities are crypts, java moss, java fern, anubias, amazon swords. Any temp I should aim for? I am guessing 75-80.

Lights = This is where I need help on. I currently have the two standard light strips on my 55. I dont know much about lighting, but I heard compact fluorescent or metal hailide would be good. Any recommendations, price is an issue so the cheaper the better. Probably going to shoot for 8 hours a day of light.

Substrate = I have some color quartz T-grade I could use. Would this be okay? I read you could use mineralized top soil and top it with the T-grade? If so how deep would I want to go with each. Or would a different soil be better?

Minerals = I have never added minerals before, but I was thinking 1/2 tsp KN03 3 x a week. 1/8 tsp KH2p04, K2S04, traces 3 x a week. I dont know if this is good with the plants I want or if it would affect the pleco or fish at all.

If anyone have some experience and can give some insight it would be great!

 

[shallow]

Depends on the filtration, but watch the CL's they get kinda big for a 55. They take a while to get very big so if you got them small they would be ok for a year or two.

 

[Lou Lou]

I think you should make it home to a gold piranha!

 

[Adhlc]

As Shallow stated, the Clown Loaches will ultimately get a bit large for the tank. I've also heard they like to dig up plants from time to time.

What light you go with should be based on what plants you plan on growing. Mosses, Java Fern, Anubias and crypts are all fairly low light plants. I would look into a Coralife T5 fixture. They're fairly inexpensive, and should give you adequate light for those particular species.

You also have a lot of options for substrates. You can do basic sand or gravel, while supplementing with some fertillizer tabs for the crypts and swords. Or you can go with one of the name brand plant substrates.

The fertillizer schedule you listed looks great for a 55. However most of those plants will thrive simply off the minerals present in tap water. I would start off dosing about half that initially - then adjust accordingly.

 

[yikesjason]

The gold nugget pleco should do fine with the plants. Just make sure he has some driftwood.

Mineralized soil works great. Here is one of the best articles on how to do it.

There are other loaches you can look at that don't get as big as the clowns.