Jons New Planted Tank - On Its Way - Need Advice

[jonny]

Hi All,


I have a new 200L tank on its way and i am atrting to get bits and pieces together ready for the setting up.
I have purchased my filter and now i am looking for a co2 system and some substrate - I want to grow plants.

My understanding is that as a rule you would lay down a thinish layer of plant friendly substrate covered by you chosen sand/gravel. But i have a issue with mixing. I want to use a pale coloured sand as i love this look but i am worried that the planting substrate will blend with the sand ruining the effect over time. Is this something i should worry about?
Can you buy a pale coloured planting substrate so any mixing will not have such a effect on the overall look of the sand?


ALSO

I have bee looking into my Co2 system and i am thinking about buying this one >>> HYDOR CO2 . What do you think?
My concern is that i cannot really afford to buy a super duper Co2 system with auto shut off at night and i may have problems if this one is left running day and night.
Can you leave Co2 running 24/7 ? i know the effects it can have during the dark hours but if you have it on a lower setting all the time will this help?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[Dave Spencer]

For my substrate I use Argos play sand on top of API Laterite and have had no mixing problems up until now. So many non sand users mention the problem of substrates mixing, but unless you mix it daily with a spoon you should be alright. I dare say a lot of replanting and rescaping could disturb the substrate. Perhaps they are talking from experience with other substrate additives they have used.

Leaving CO2 on 24/7 shouldn`t have any adverse effect on your system. Lots of people have been doing it for years, apparently. Basically, all you are doing is wasting CO2. I use a solenoid on the same timer as my lights. It wasn`t cheap, but I may recover the cost one day through using less CO2.

Do you have any info on light levels, fertilisers and your plans for planting?

 

[Rodger Dodger]

For my substrate I use Argos play sand on top of API Laterite and have had no mixing problems up until now. So many non sand users mention the problem of substrates mixing, but unless you mix it daily with a spoon you should be alright. I dare say a lot of replanting and rescaping could disturb the substrate. Perhaps they are talking from experience with other substrate additives they have used.

Leaving CO2 on 24/7 shouldn`t have any adverse effect on your system. Lots of people have been doing it for years, apparently. Basically, all you are doing is wasting CO2. I use a solenoid on the same timer as my lights. It wasn`t cheap, but I may recover the cost one day through using less CO2.

Do you have any info on light levels, fertilisers and your plans for planting?

Hi,

I may be able to help with the CO2 side. I am selling the complete set up as per my post on Buy, Sell, Swap. Have a look, see if it would suit you.

 

[jonny]

For my substrate I use Argos play sand on top of API Laterite and have had no mixing problems up until now. So many non sand users mention the problem of substrates mixing, but unless you mix it daily with a spoon you should be alright. I dare say a lot of replanting and rescaping could disturb the substrate. Perhaps they are talking from experience with other substrate additives they have used.

Leaving CO2 on 24/7 shouldn`t have any adverse effect on your system. Lots of people have been doing it for years, apparently. Basically, all you are doing is wasting CO2. I use a solenoid on the same timer as my lights. It wasn`t cheap, but I may recover the cost one day through using less CO2.

Do you have any info on light levels, fertilisers and your plans for planting?

Thanks dave for the reply.

I plan on having just over 2wpg on the lighting as for fertilizers i don't have a clue. Can you advise me further?

 

[Dave Spencer]

[

Thanks dave for the reply.

I plan on having just over 2wpg on the lighting as for fertilizers i don't have a clue. Can you advise me further?

Have to edit this because my computer is playing up, so here we go again.

Have read of the EI article pinned at the top of this forum regarding fertilisers and see what you think. It looks a bit daunting but I use it and I am very much a beginner.

If you choose this direction then you will need 75% substrate coverage with fast growing stems, such as:

Egeria Densa (grows like mad in my tank).
Hygrophilia Polysperma.
Vallisneria sp.
Ludwigia sp.

These will help you overcome algae issues.

My EI tank is just over one month old and looks like a very untidy jungle. Within a month or two I hope to be on top of the algae and in a position to rescape with plants of my choice. Patience is the key for me.

Read as much as you can about planted tanks before you take the plunge.