Starting 65 Gallon planted tank

[lnk89]

Hello,

I am starting a new planted tank and I have a few questions.

1. I have a Eheim 2213 and 2217 for filtration. What is the best way to setup the intakes and outputs?
2. For lighting I have 3 100W CFL daylight 5000K bullbs. Would that be enough to grow aquarium plants?
3. If I plant the plants in the tank before adding water, can I fill the tank with the garden hose or would that kill the plants? I just don't want to have to bucket all the water in.

And finally, any good stocking ideas? I am not sure what I want to put in the tank yet.

And here is the tank as it is now.

 

[JKM]

Hello,

I am starting a new planted tank and I have a few questions.

1. I have a Eheim 2213 and 2217 for filtration. What is the best way to setup the intakes and outputs?
A look straight at the tank (Intake/output/output/input)

2. For lighting I have 3 100W CFL daylight 5000K bullbs. Would that be enough to grow aquarium plants?
Depends on the quality of the reflector, I also found that 6400K CFL grow plants better (spectrum may vary between brands)

3. If I plant the plants in the tank before adding water, can I fill the tank with the garden hose or would that kill the plants? I just don't want to have to bucket all the water in.
Yes that's fine as long as it isn't too hot, or have anything in it that would irritate your skin. Add a de-chlorinator like seachem prime afterwards if you have chloramine in your water.

And finally, any good stocking ideas? I am not sure what I want to put in the tank yet.
How big is the tank?

.

 

[lnk89]

Hey, been pretty busy so I am just now getting a chance to get back to this.

I got the tank setup last weekend, took awhile,but everything worked out fine.

Thanks for the help. I set up the filter like you suggested, seems to work fine so far!

The reflectors are the same thing as you would use for the reptile heat lamps. They seem to work fine for the paludarium land plants. But I will try and find some bulbs that are closer to the 6400K.

For filling the tank I actually just bought one of those hoses that connects to the tap. Works really well because I can use it to vacuum the tank as well.

The tank is a 65 gallon.

Here are a few pictures of the new setup.

 

[JKM]

Looks real cool! congrats!