Help with my 46 gal bowfront

[jmelnek]

Hi,

I curently have a 46 gal. bowfront freshwater community tank that has been up and running since October '04. It currently has an Emporer 400 power filter, 3" of natural gravel, all chemical levels are fine, no CO2 and (1) 30w 4,200K fluorescent bulb (yellow tint). The inhabitants are (1) 2" Clown Pleco, (1) 4 1/2" Bristlenose Pleco, (2) 3" Yo-Yo Loaches, (6) 1 1/2" Black Skirt Tetras, (6) 2" Juili Corydoras, (6) 1" Zebra Danios, (3) 3/4" Otos, and a few litllte snails that are to big for the loaches. Plants are all real and they include some Java Fern, Java Moss, Anarchis, some hornwort, (2) nice crypts and some lilly plant from Wal-Mart (bulb). Also have some driftwood, rocks, and slate.

Everything is running fine, I have had no fish deaths yet (knocks on wood). Plant growth is slow but that was expected. Now comes my question... I just ordered 3 bags of eco-complete and (1) 36" 1x96W Coralife 6,700K freshwater Aqualight.

Am I an idiot for ordering this stuff since all if fine in my underwater world. Now I want to take the next step and try my aquascaping skills. Am I heading in the right direction? Any comments and Ideas will be much appreciated.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i guess so, just be carefull with the big up in lighting i smell algae bloom if your nitrates and nutrient levels are pretty high

 

[steelhealr]

Hi....I have a 46 BF like yours. I was almost going to upgrade my lighting but held back. I bought my tank with the black plastic deluxe hood which is not easy to fit more lighting on (regretted). I would have had to order a glass top. However, the light that seems best for this is the one you described at 96 watts.I did add a DIY moonlight tho'.

I decided to take the easy way out and I have live and some plastic mixed. My live plants are doing great under a simple 30W aquaglow...similar to yours.....anacharis, hornwort, banana plant, anubias nana, lucien and the one that is really doing great is hygrophila. I have to keep pruning it. Fish poop and low nitrates seems to be doing the trick for now. Don't keep the lights on for longer than 10hours or so or you are asking for algae. Good luck and post some pix as your aquascaping comes along. SH

 

[jmelnek]

Thanks for the input now at least I feel like I am going in the right direction. Pics will be posted, maybe I will snap some of the whole proccess...