Ch4Rlies First High Tech Planted Tank Atttempt!

[Ch4rlie]

Well, this journal is going to about my 22l / 5.8 US gal AquaOne Nano tank to try for the first time for me to do a high tech planted tank.
 
Previously in that little tank, had low tech plants, Endlers and Red Cherry shrimps, decided to give these guys an upgrade to a larger 10 gal tank and do a planted tank for a change 

 
Tank with the Shrimps and Endlers 
 

 
 
 
Right, now where to start?
 
Ok, lets start with the basics, lights, this tank came with a 9w AquaOne PL bulb light, is perfectly fine for low tech plants but not for the high tech plans I have in mind.
 
In the end, decided to go with LED's after discussing with fellow forum members, the pros and cons of LED versus T5 or higher wattage bulbs.
 
Therefore I bought this from eBay, Beamswork LED light unit, for £32 including P&P, not too bad at all.
 
http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beamswork-6500K-3Wx-6-daylight-white-hang-on-LED-light-for-planted-aquarium-/151171228154?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item233281e1fa
 
Which has 3 watts per LED, and totals 18 watts, which for a 22 litre tank is pretty good, which in reality with substrate and decor, the tank probably holds 20 litres of water, max, so think the lights will be at a minimum of 0.9 watts of light per litre which is definitely in high tech territory.
 
A great start! 

 

[rms]

Hope it goes well. Really interested to see how the led's work out

 

[Ch4rlie]

Hope it goes well. Really interested to see how the led's work out

 
Thanks, me too!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Next is substrate!
 
I felt, I would be best with planted substrate rather than using the normal sand or gravel , or even dirt with sand on top.
 
So i chose this substrate, TMC Aqua Gro Nutrasoil, Black, 5 litre tub. About £18.95, not the cheapest, but was recommended to me.
 

 

 
Even though the tub was labelled 'black', the substrate is actually brown, just a darker brown. 1 - 2mm sized.
 
Am pleased with the appearance of this substrate and seems decent.
 
This was also featured in PFK by George Farmer.
 
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3239

 

[CoryFever]

Sounds great so far! Can't wait to see this tank progress!

 

[rms]

Yep, I am glued...... 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Decided to go with pressurised Co2, I bought this as a temporary set up until i get a DIY Fire Extinguisher set up, so when the  bottle of this JBL Co2 runs out, I will swap this for the DIY FE setup.
 

 

 
Not cheap to buy this but i had gift vouchers so thought i'd use them for this and to learn about Co2. 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Sounds great so far! Can't wait to see this tank progress!

 
Thank you. Lets hope all goes to plan!
Next stage, emptied the tank, cleaned it up.
 
Added substrate, the small Co2 bottle hangs at back of tank, bubble counter, drop checker and of course the fab LED lights 

 

 

[sawickib]

Following!

 

[508]

Looks good so far. 
 
Time for the plants

 

[Ninjouzata]

I have a feeling this is going to be perfect!

 

[Fishmanic]

looks as bright as sunlight---best of luck in your new venture into high tech

 

[TallTree01]

Sounding good old bean!

 

[rms]

 

 

 
They are looking great. Really bright....

 

[nortonmad213]

blinkey blimey they're bright! or maybe because im sat here with the lights off lol.
looks great so far ch4rlie. cant wait to see what you do with it all.