Evolution: Aquaone 180l Planted Tank

[S2Tigger]

Hi All

I have been hanging out in these forums for about a month now, I've bought the tank, a Aquaone Regency 80.

It is a 80cm x 40cm x 70cm tank...got to start somewhere and it fits the wall in our hall nicely

The tank has 2 x 20w lights, this give me 1wpg (imp not US), so I will be changing the lights as soon as I set up to give me the require wpg (what is the best figure for this?)

I've decided on my substrate, of Seachem Flourite, this is all I plan to use.

The tank will have a D&D CO2, with night time shut off...I have also purchased an air pump just in case it's required (advice?)

I am planning to put a dark blue or black background on to bring out the colour of the plants....

I will be taking lots of photos of the build and will post over the next few weeks.....

I will of course be doing a fishless cycle, plants in first?

Regards

Darren

 

[furryrabbit]

i would go with a black backround , and yes many plants can easily take a cycle

 

[George Farmer]

Welcome to TFF!

Interesting size tank - is that 70cm high?

I'd suggest around 2 wpg minimum, especially with such a deep tank. If my calculations are correct you have around 58 US gal. so you'll need 120+ watts i.e. 6 x 20W T8 tubes. T5 PC may be the easier option i.e. 2 x 55w plus your original lighting. Reflectors are essential.

No airpump necessary, especially if you have a solenoid on your CO2 system.

Fishless cycling (adding ammnonia products) is unecessary if you plant heavily from the outset with fast-growers (see pinned algae article). The plants' growth will deal with any toxic nitrogen compounds. Stock the tank lightly and very gradually with small fish to allow the filter to cope.

 

[S2Tigger]

I'd suggest around 2 wpg minimum, especially with such a deep tank. If my calculations are correct you have around 58 US gal. so you'll need 120+ watts i.e. 6 x 20W T8 tubes. T5 PC may be the easier option i.e. 2 x 55w plus your original lighting. Reflectors are essential.

The actual capacity of the tank is stated at 180 litres/47 US gallons. So I would still like to add a furter 110w of lighting to complement my std lighting as suggested.

Due to the length of the tank would the Interpet T5 Power Compact units by ok? These are compact units and quite cheap (i think!)

Do they come with reflectors or can I get reflectors to fit this lamp?

Darren

 

[jacob4fish]

Interpet do a double 55w T5 unit, but the bulbs are quite short in length and you would probably need two units to fit that aqua one tank. They do not have reflectors for those bulbs, but i think that juwel do reflectors that you can use, although you may have to cut them down a bit. hope this helps.

 

[George Farmer]

The actual capacity of the tank is stated at 180 litres/47 US gallons. So I would still like to add a furter 110w of lighting to complement my std lighting as suggested.

Due to the length of the tank would the Interpet T5 Power Compact units by ok? These are compact units and quite cheap (i think!)

Do they come with reflectors or can I get reflectors to fit this lamp?

Darren

Whoops, I guess reading the thread title helps! Funny though because an 80 x 40 x 70cm tank should equate to 224 l. / 59 US gal.

Anyway, 55w PCs are approx. 22" / 55cm in length so will give a fairly good spread in your tank, especially with reflectors. I know zig has success with the Arcadia reflectors, they're slightly wider than the Juwel so should be more suited to the PCs. I have no idea why specific PC reflectors aren't available - or perhaps someone can correct me? Interpet are one choice, these are another - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z299140.asp Again, I think zig has success with these.

 

[S2Tigger]

Anyway, 55w PCs are approx. 22" / 55cm in length so will give a fairly good spread in your tank, especially with reflectors. I know zig has success with the Arcadia reflectors, they're slightly wider than the Juwel so should be more suited to the PCs. I have no idea why specific PC reflectors aren't available - or perhaps someone can correct me? Interpet are one choice, these are another - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z299140.asp Again, I think zig has success with these.

I like the look of the ASL compacts (they come with reflectors so saves having to source them if I went with the interpets)

The next question is bulbs, I getting the double unit so will need 2 bulbs: would a Freshwater Tropical : White 7100k + Pink 8000k bulb and a Freshwater Plant : Pink 8000k + Blue 12000k fit the bill?

I am having to dealy the set up of the tank for a couple of weeks as I'm on holiday next week 8)

Thanks for your advice and help

Darren

 

[MoreCoffee]

Anyway, 55w PCs are approx. 22" / 55cm in length so will give a fairly good spread in your tank, especially with reflectors. I know zig has success with the Arcadia reflectors, they're slightly wider than the Juwel so should be more suited to the PCs. I have no idea why specific PC reflectors aren't available - or perhaps someone can correct me? Interpet are one choice, these are another - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z299140.asp Again, I think zig has success with these.

I like the look of the ASL compacts (they come with reflectors so saves having to source them if I went with the interpets)

The next question is bulbs, I getting the double unit so will need 2 bulbs: would a Freshwater Tropical : White 7100k + Pink 8000k bulb and a Freshwater Plant : Pink 8000k + Blue 12000k fit the bill?

I am having to dealy the set up of the tank for a couple of weeks as I'm on holiday next week 8)

Thanks for your advice and help

Darren

I've also looked at those ASL units (2 x 36W version) for a lighting upgrade for my Tropiquarium88 (130L), I'm planning on using 1 x Interpet Daylight Plus and 1 x Triplus tubes.

I believe those tubes are best suited for plant growth.

Mr G

 

[S2Tigger]

I've also looked at those ASL units (2 x 36W version) for a lighting upgrade for my Tropiquarium88 (130L), I'm planning on using 1 x Interpet Daylight Plus and 1 x Triplus tubes.

I believe those tubes are best suited for plant growth.

Mr G

What are you going to use as reflectors? The interpet compacts don't come with them and I don't think you can buy interpet ones....

Darren