starting a planted tank

[schulace123]

i got a 55 just laying around and i was thinking of doing a planted tank, one of my question is this will be a see trough tank, it will be coming off of my couch so u can see through it both ways, so when i am planting it i need to be thinking of that, any ideas on aquascape for that? also what kind of gravel should i use? i think sand would look cool to, but it may not work, any suggestions for bottom? and do i need c02? i want to make a realy nice planted tank, so i will have alot of plants and stuff like that...but do i still need it? i plan on using pc lights....

also my last question, i want to have about 10 cardnal tetras, and some other community fish like that, but i want one rare cool fish that will stand out, any ideas?

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Which pc lights do you have? I am quite happy with my Coralife Freshwater lights. Make sure your bulbs aren't older than 1.5 years.

First, you need a substrate fertilizer. Some people use laterite, others fluorite, others something else. I am happy with my laterite. Mix that fertilizer into the bottom third of your substrate. Sand is a great substrate, especially if you don't have big, digging fish. Gravel is fine as well, but not quite as good. If you use playsand, you need less fertilizer since the sand still contains some clay. Do a site-search for sand here at MFK.

Regarding the plant selection, I just love Cryptocoryne, Vallisneria, Echinodorus, Anubia. They look great and do not require CO2. Only few plant species in a plant-packed tank require CO2. I'd start without if I were you. You can always add it later on if you feel the need.

You should fertilize your tank regularly, too. There was just a product review post in this forum about fertilizers.

Last but not least: My fish recommendation. Two Pantodon buchholzi would look great in your 55 gal.



HarleyK

 

[schulace123]

thanks!!!!!!!!! ok so i should use sand, i was doin reasearch and alot of people said to use gravel, but i like sand much more....i dont have the light right now, i am goin to get it, i like coral life to, i got a samll 20 inch one right now, but i gotta get a 48 inch, should i have it double bulbed? so...4 bulbs? also should i mix the firtilizer in with the plants before i put them in? and when i add it again later when the plants are in do i still need to mix it with the sand, or can i just drop it in there?

i kinda want my tank to look like this when i am adding or donw adding plants http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/enlarge.php/imID568

last thing, not to be mean or anything but i am not a big fan of butterfly fish, for some reaons i dono why thanks for the suggestion though, got any others that would be a nice show peice fish?

 

[schulace123]

also what kinda filter should i use? canaster? or just like 2 hang ons? if a canaster can someone link me to a good cheap one, i have never used a canaster before

 

[danepatrick]

i don't think the sand is necessary. i would use a mixture of flourite (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4870&N=2004+113223)and fine gravel. the fluorite will provide most of what you need in a substrate. i would get a 48" PC. i also think that the quad bulb is not necessary. you can do just fine with a 130 watt PC fixture with two bulbs from coralife. (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9871&N=2004+113345)
i would set my substrate how i wanted, add all plants that you want, and then slowly fill careful not to disturb the gravel. i wouldn't add in the fertilzer right away. it's sorta like the CO2. you can add it later. you don't need it right away.
i think you should do WAY more than just 10 cardinal tetras. i would do about 50! you can use the cardinals as your main canvas and then use larger, peaceful fish to give you something else to look at. dwarf gouramis are cool. next, i would go with a canister filter since you are allowing it to be see through. i would use a fluval as they are really good filters and are easy to maintain. any more questions?

i recently had a case of ich in my planted tank. however, all is well and i set things back up this evening. here are some photos of mine. maybe this can help. btw, in my tank i have micro sword, crypts, italian val, bolbitis (attached to rock), giant hygrophila, rotala indica, and balansae.

 

[schulace123]

thanks!!

ur tank looks great.......could i keep some little balas in there?

 

[ewurm]

As to the viewing from both sides, I would start with a piece of driftwood in the center as a focal point, then heavily plant the sides, and use shorter species in front and behind the wood. That will give a uniform consistent look from either side. Also be sure to use a product with plenty of Iron, like Kent Freshwater Plant.

 

[HarleyK]

alot of people said to use gravel, but i like sand much more....

Use what you like best After all, it's your tank

i like coral life to, i got a samll 20 inch one right now, but i gotta get a 48 inch, should i have it double bulbed? so...4 bulbs?

Yes. The lights in Coralife Aqualight Freshwater can be operated independently. If you find out it's too much light, you can always leave one off throughout most of the day. However, if you go single-bulbed and you need more light, it'll cost you an all new light fixture. Always good to be over-prepared.

should i mix the firtilizer in with the plants before i put them in? and when i add it again later when the plants are in do i still need to mix it with the sand, or can i just drop it in there?

You mix substrate fertilizer with the bottom third of your substrate. No follow-up fertilizing of the substrate will be necessary anytime soon thereafter.

i kinda want my tank to look like this when i am adding or donw adding plants http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/enlarge.php/imID568

That is an ambitious goal, especially for a first-timer. Did you read what it says underneath the tank:
Ranked #1 out of 232 planted tanks worldwide
To accomplish this level of plant keeping, you will need more time, money, fertilizer, and instruments than you may want to invest in at first. This set-up certainly requires CO2 and a regular monitoring of water parameters (iron, nitrate, phosphate) as well as high-end fertilization. You can do it, but IMO, you should set your goal somewhat lower for now.

last thing, not to be mean or anything but i am not a big fan of butterfly fish, for some reaons i dono why thanks for the suggestion though

That's okay As said for the substrate, it's your tank and you have to like it.

also what kinda filter should i use? canaster? or just like 2 hang ons? if a canaster can someone link me to a good cheap one, i have never used a canaster before

Check out my nickname There is only one answer. For details, you should post in the set-up forum.

HarleyK

 

[danepatrick]

Use what you like best After all, it's your tank


Yes. The lights in Coralife Aqualight Freshwater can be operated independently. If you find out it's too much light, you can always leave one off throughout most of the day. However, if you go single-bulbed and you need more light, it'll cost you an all new light fixture. Always good to be over-prepared.


You mix substrate fertilizer with the bottom third of your substrate. No follow-up fertilizing of the substrate will be necessary anytime soon thereafter.


That is an ambitious goal, especially for a first-timer. Did you read what it says underneath the tank:
Ranked #1 out of 232 planted tanks worldwide
To accomplish this level of plant keeping, you will need more time, money, fertilizer, and instruments than you may want to invest in at first. This set-up certainly requires CO2 and a regular monitoring of water parameters (iron, nitrate, phosphate) as well as high-end fertilization. You can do it, but IMO, you should set your goal somewhat lower for now.


That's okay As said for the substrate, it's your tank and you have to like it.


Check out my nickname There is only one answer. For details, you should post in the set-up forum.

HarleyK

using what he likes most may not be what is best. most people want to put a goldfish in a bowl or an oscar and pacu in a 10 gallon because its what they like. doesn't mean it's the best. just trying to make it easy for a noob. i wish someone would've made it simple for me the very first time i started out. instead i got sucked into buying all this sh*t i didn't even know what to do with. screwed up my tank and had green water out the ass. ended up getting rid of live plants totally and now i'm just getting back into it and doing it the right way, with knowledge. just my 2 cents.

 

[HarleyK]

using what he likes most may not be what is best. most people want to put a goldfish in a bowl or an oscar and pacu in a 10 gallon

Most?! I think most MFK members are progressed enough to know better (at least I hope so)
He has the choice between sand or gravel. There is not much to do wrong here

What I wanted to say, and I am glad you made your statement, is that at the end, he has to like his tank. If he doesn't like our suggestions (e.g. butterfly fish), then it would not be a good idea to give in to our persuasion. He was very apologetic for not liking my suggestion, but IMO, he doesn't have to be.



HarleyK