First Time For A Planted Tank

[michmash/eddie]

I am in need of some help. I have just set up a rio 125 and i have decided to try a planted aquarium. I am not going for a massive high tech set up. Please bear with me if this makes no sense, i really dont know where to start

So far i have sand in the bottom, t5 lights, some bogwood and a few plants and that is a bout it. I am not looking for a 'die hard' planted set up, more of a compromise. Id like some nice comunity fish, but i also want the plants to do well.

A few problems i have.......

1. Do i need a co2 set up, i dont really want to spend a huge amount of money.

2. I have been looking at shrimp but i have been made aware that my options for stocking fish are very limited.

3. Id like a nice variety of fish, but also something like shrimp etc to clean the plants.

Basically id like some nice fish, nice plants, a good compromise for both. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks for taking the time to read this

 

[michmash/eddie]

i forgot to add, what kind of plants should i be looking out for?

many thanks

 

[ian]

1. Do i need a co2 set up, i dont really want to spend a huge amount of money.

Not necesserily, what is the wattage on the bulb? You may get away with using nothing, you may find it easy to dose a liquid carbon. What plants are you looking at getting?

2. I have been looking at shrimp but i have been made aware that my options for stocking fish are very limited.

In what way are you limited? Shrimp shouldn't be a problem at all!

3. Id like a nice variety of fish, but also something like shrimp etc to clean the plants.

the stocking is very much up to you, theres plenty to choose from with a 125l tank.

i forgot to add, what kind of plants should i be looking out for?

sorry didn't see this one. If i was you i'd be looking at the likes of Anubius, Java fern, Cabomba, Vallis, Hygrophila ect ect. Have a look in the PARC section (pinned) of the planted forum, there are loads of threads reagrding easy care plants.

 

[aaronnorth]

What wattage are the lights? How many tubes?

You may need CO2, but you could get away with it depedning on the lights.

There are plenty of tetra's & danio's that you could keep.
You can keep any shrimp, or snails if you like although you will probably end up with these anyway!
You can also have pitbull plecs which only grow 2" which will help in eating algae, and botia striata is another small loach but these will not eat algae (they will eat snails though).

Have a look at this post for some plant suggestions

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/343352-taking-the-plunge/

Thanks, Aaron

 

[michmash/eddie]

1. Do i need a co2 set up, i dont really want to spend a huge amount of money.

Not necesserily, what is the wattage on the bulb? You may get away with using nothing, you may find it easy to dose a liquid carbon. What plants are you looking at getting?

I am not sure, nothing is stamped on the tubes, all i know is that they are t5, one is white and one blue (the blue will be going this weekend!!)

2. I have been looking at shrimp but i have been made aware that my options for stocking fish are very limited.

In what way are you limited? Shrimp shouldn't be a problem at all!

I have been told that anything other than cardinals will consider them food and eat them by my local LFS.

3. Id like a nice variety of fish, but also something like shrimp etc to clean the plants.

the stocking is very much up to you, theres plenty to choose from with a 125l tank.

Ok, thanks, any suggestions, i dont want anything that will destroy plants or eat the shrimp

i forgot to add, what kind of plants should i be looking out for?

sorry didn't see this one. If i was you i'd be looking at the likes of Anubius, Java fern, Cabomba, Vallis, Hygrophila ect ect. Have a look in the PARC section (pinned) of the planted forum, there are loads of threads reagrding easy care plants.

thanks, i will have a look now, thankyou ever so much for taking the time to help me

What wattage are the lights? How many tubes?

2 x t5, not sure on wattage as there is nothing stamped on them

You may need CO2, but you could get away with it depedning on the lights.

Is there a co2 system at a reaqsonable price? i dont want to spend a fortune right away

There are plenty of tetra's & danio's that you could keep.
You can keep any shrimp, or snails if you like although you will probably end up with these anyway!
You can also have pitbull plecs which only grow 2" which will help in eating algae, and botia striata is another small loach but these will not eat algae (they will eat snails though).

i used to have a snowball plec, cant remember the L no, would one of theses also be ok?

Have a look at this post for some plant suggestions

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/343352-taking-the-plunge/

thankyou for your help and advice

Thanks, Aaron