I appreciate the help and advice I've received so far on this forum, and instead of bumping up several year old threads or hijacking other's threads, I'll ask a few questions on my own. Tank journal full of pics coming soon once I iron out some equipment issues. Basically am I on the right track. Tank specifics:
75 gallon (48x18,20)
Eheim 2026 filter
Coralife aqualight 48" 54wT5no dual 6700k bulbs (have the colormax bulb, but should I use it?)
Play sand substrate
Assorted rocks
PH 8.0
Ammonia/nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate 15-20ppm
No plants yet, working on it
10 Buenos Aires Tetras
10 Zebra Danios
10 guppies
7 tiger barbs
1 featherfin catfish
This is what I currently have. I have a 140 dollar budget to spend on finishing this project for the time being (having a working planted tank). More will be spent in the future I'm sure, but I am going low tech right now and that is my budget.
Questions:
Substrate: I'm currently mineralizing (rinsing/drying) some topsoil, was planning on adding Seachem Flourish root tabs, some potassium chloride (salt substitute), reptile sand (calcium source), and an iron source (possibly laterite, but that is expensive, trying to stay cheap!). I'll be topping all this with more sand and possibly some dark natural gravel
Am I on the right track here? Maybe 1" of soil mix, and then a 1" cap where plants go?
Filtration:
I have only the one filter now (eheim2026). I know I need more flow, but is this filter adequate? I was either looking at purchasing a Koralina powerhead, or a Odyssea cfs500. I know they're cheap filters, but the flow rate is great and you can't over filter. I'm aware of the minor modifications that need to be made to the filter and some of the weak points. At 60 dollars it has a killer flow rate, but the powerhead will be slightly cheaper, but offer no filtration? Any advice?
Plants:
The LFS here has a lousy supply to say the least (just petco and petsmart). Most plants arent true aquatics and are way over priced. I need to get a nice piece of driftwood to attatch java fern to. I was going to look on ebay or bigalsonline.
I have no idea where to start with plants!
I will likely get some vals to grow tall in the back and some java fern and amazon swords.
I have fish that may eat small brittle plants so I want something robust that will grow strong under low light and with minimal dosing (root tabs and flourish excel)
I was looking at foster&smith plant packages. They're fairly pricey for the 75 gallon standard plant package based on my budget.
To sum it up. I basically need to know if I should spring for another filter, or just a powerhead, and where the best source for plants would be to keep under my 140 dollar budget. Is my plan for substrate adequate also? Thanks for any advice!
75 gallon (48x18,20)
Eheim 2026 filter
Coralife aqualight 48" 54wT5no dual 6700k bulbs (have the colormax bulb, but should I use it?)
Play sand substrate
Assorted rocks
PH 8.0
Ammonia/nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate 15-20ppm
No plants yet, working on it
10 Buenos Aires Tetras
10 Zebra Danios
10 guppies
7 tiger barbs
1 featherfin catfish
This is what I currently have. I have a 140 dollar budget to spend on finishing this project for the time being (having a working planted tank). More will be spent in the future I'm sure, but I am going low tech right now and that is my budget.
Questions:
Substrate: I'm currently mineralizing (rinsing/drying) some topsoil, was planning on adding Seachem Flourish root tabs, some potassium chloride (salt substitute), reptile sand (calcium source), and an iron source (possibly laterite, but that is expensive, trying to stay cheap!). I'll be topping all this with more sand and possibly some dark natural gravel
Am I on the right track here? Maybe 1" of soil mix, and then a 1" cap where plants go?
Filtration:
I have only the one filter now (eheim2026). I know I need more flow, but is this filter adequate? I was either looking at purchasing a Koralina powerhead, or a Odyssea cfs500. I know they're cheap filters, but the flow rate is great and you can't over filter. I'm aware of the minor modifications that need to be made to the filter and some of the weak points. At 60 dollars it has a killer flow rate, but the powerhead will be slightly cheaper, but offer no filtration? Any advice?
Plants:
The LFS here has a lousy supply to say the least (just petco and petsmart). Most plants arent true aquatics and are way over priced. I need to get a nice piece of driftwood to attatch java fern to. I was going to look on ebay or bigalsonline.
I have no idea where to start with plants!
I will likely get some vals to grow tall in the back and some java fern and amazon swords.
I have fish that may eat small brittle plants so I want something robust that will grow strong under low light and with minimal dosing (root tabs and flourish excel)
I was looking at foster&smith plant packages. They're fairly pricey for the 75 gallon standard plant package based on my budget.
To sum it up. I basically need to know if I should spring for another filter, or just a powerhead, and where the best source for plants would be to keep under my 140 dollar budget. Is my plan for substrate adequate also? Thanks for any advice!
