Filter Set Up

[nunster]

I have a 55g tank. I am planning on using a ~125gph canister filter that will be hooked up to the bottom filter in the tank and then go through or past a UV light then back into the tank. I use fiber media, plastic bio chem things and carbon in the filter. But now I have been wondering would the bottom filter remove the nutrients and minerals from the substrate? Or can I add a supliment once a week for the plants? Or would the fish and food waste keep the plants feed since I will be moving all the waste past the plant's roots? I am thinking of around an inch of plant substrate and another inch or so of sand/gravel on top of the plant substrate.
Then would two four foot T-5 daylight bulbs 14 hours a day work? I can add two more T-5 bulbs if needed. Don't want to. But can. Try to keep electrical bill down as much as possible.
Any ideas or help before I spend money on the substrate would be great. I already have the bottom filter, canister filter but not the UV light yet. The one I was using went completly out now.
Oh and I use well water that I have to soften. It is full of minerals.

 

[adam98150]

I have a 55g tank. I am planning on using a ~125gph canister filter that will be hooked up to the bottom filter in the tank and then go through or past a UV light then back into the tank. I use fiber media, plastic bio chem things and carbon in the filter. But now I have been wondering would the bottom filter remove the nutrients and minerals from the substrate? Or can I add a supliment once a week for the plants? Or would the fish and food waste keep the plants feed since I will be moving all the waste past the plant's roots? I am thinking of around an inch of plant substrate and another inch or so of sand/gravel on top of the plant substrate.
Then would two four foot T-5 daylight bulbs 14 hours a day work? I can add two more T-5 bulbs if needed. Don't want to. But can. Try to keep electrical bill down as much as possible.
Any ideas or help before I spend money on the substrate would be great. I already have the bottom filter, canister filter but not the UV light yet. The one I was using went completly out now.
Oh and I use well water that I have to soften. It is full of minerals.

Hi man, I see it's your first post. I'd stick to rounded gravel for the covering layer, unless you have certain fish in mind that would appreciate the sand.
As for your filter, I take it it's an external ? Hooked up to an under gravel ? Not entirely sure how that works, but I reckon your flow rate should be a higher for a 55g. I have a 15g and my flow rate is higher than in your 55 - think yours works out to around 600 lph. You can remove or keep the carbon (soaks up and removes chemicals from the aquarium water).

Two T5s should be plenty, infact one T5 would probably be sufficient for a low-tech planted set-up. And you mentioned saving on the electric ? Keep them on for no more than 8 hours per day. As for the planted substrate browse on the forum and see what people recommend, although it can be expensive, especially if you have a moderately sized tank.

And you can get a UV steralizer, although it's not exactly a primary piece of equipment. If I understand correctly it uses UV rays to mutate and destroy pathogens - useful if you have a sudden outbreak of disease. Not so useful when you have a nice healthy tank. And lastly, how do you soften the well water ? Stay away from the PH buffers unless you're experienced, you could get some serious fluctuations.