1)...For CO2, I saved a bundle buy getting all my parts at a welding shop. I paid 200 +tax Canadian for a 5 pound tank and regulator. Shop around for these at welding shops, home brewing shops, and if you can find a store that re-fills the co2 tank on the spot, that would be a help. I found a store that re-rills fire exstinguishers. They had cheap tanks as well.
2)...For lights, the WPG rule goes out the window on larger tanks... it has to do with surface area and something else. I read an article, but was confused to bits by it. If you were to aim for 2wpg or a little less, you should be able to grow even the high light plants. Glosso needs lots of light, where the java fern and moss like less light... you could put them in the shade of another plant.
3)...Do you have a list of plants that you would like to keep? Let us know if there are any you want for sure. That will help to figure out the lights and the ferts. You should check out your lfs to see what kind of plants they normally stock, and find out if they would be willing to order stuff in for you. Check out some online plant stores, sorry, I can't think of any of the names that are in the US.
4)...If you are having that much light and CO2, you will want to look at fertalizing. Using the liquid chemicals is very expensive in larger tanks, so have a look at
www.gregwatson.com. I get my stuff from there, and shipped to canada it is rediculously cheap. I think I have at least a years supply of the chemicals for under $50 (with shipping)
5)...Have you read any of the pinned articles in this thread?
Jen
1) That sounds great, I'd love to look into it, but I don't know exactly everything that I need.
2) Relief! That's saves a lot of straining myself.
3) I would like to keep glosso, but if there is an easier, good-looking foreground plant, let me know! I would like to do a driftwood setup with some java fern on it...perhaps I can shade it under some large swords. I have a great place to get these swords-as I already have a few myself. It has only about 15 leaves, but each leaf is bigger than your hand! Another plant I am going to order from my LFS is the Madagascar Lace Plant. I'm thinking of getting about four or five of these, and I'm going to try clustering them to come away from one side of the driftwood.
4) For fertilization, I have a plan to make my own substrate setup.
To put it basically:
Bottom Layer: 1 inch laterite mixed with sand;
Middle Layer: 1 inch fertilizer (found at garden stores-Not Manure Based); and
Top Layer: 1 inch common gravel
note: If I have nutrient sufficiant substrate, do I need to chemically dose the aquarium water much?
To put it advanced:
I got the info from here... it sounded promising
I'll put in the article I found about it, too. I'll copy and paste it in a new post. Sorry I don't know the author!
5) I have to an extent, but It is so much easier for me to talk to everyone here. You guys always seem to do more for me than pre-written articles (yes they are helpful, but I feel like I'm understanding more by asking the certain questions I feel I need to know more about when I talk to you guys!)
Thanks for the help so far!
-Brant
ps-feel free to ask me any questions about my plans in different areas, and tell me if they are good or bad!
Here's that substrate instructional article:
• Bottom layer, iron rich clay, Micronized Iron or subsoil. This may be mixed with sand. (New) About 2% Micronized Iron by weight is probably plenty. Iron fertilizers containing iron sulphate such as Ironite are not suitable. Pottery clay is a bit difficult to mix with other materials, unless it’s in powder form, so chop it into bits and soak it in water for a week stirring often until its nice and soupy. I like subsoil, it's easy, probably as good as anything and cheap. I sometimes add a little F-T-E, fritted trace elements; (New) about 10 small granules for each square foot of tank bottom (2" depth) are about right according to the suggested usage on the package. Be careful because it's easy to use too much. 10 small granules of F-T-E weighs about 0.12 grams (120 milligrams). That's about 1/70 of a teaspoon!
• Middle layer, (New) 1 inch depth of mixture of garden soil mixed 4 parts to 1 part of fluffy sphagnum peat moss by volume. Since garden soil is about 20 times heavier than peat moss, this is a ratio of 1.25% by weight. This should be one inch deep NO DEEPER!! (see notes). Mix a handful of Micronized Iron with this if you have it to ensure that the soil has sufficient iron. Iron is present in most soils especially if the soil in your garden is good for growing plants. You can also mix the soil with sand if it seems to be too rich. (see notes)
• Top layer, 1 inch depth regular 2-3 millimeter aquarium gravel.
-Info from unknown author.
-I knew the author at the time, just didn't save it.
What do ya think ? ? ? ? ?
-simonbrown403-
Thanks for the help, I understand now. Should I get one?? Thanks!
Can't wait til see how your tank started and finished.
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