Caprichoso
Fish Herder
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2011
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I have recently purchased a used 140g(I think it's 140) aquarium and need some suggestions on plants I can grow and where to put them.
Details:
Tank measurements: 6ft long, 2ft tall, 18" wide
Filter: FX5
Filter media: foam inserts, biomax, coarse filter pad, fine filter pad, water polishing pad.
Lighting:it came with a reflective hood with 2- 55 watt (2G11 lamps). It looks like there are 4 tubes but it's actually 2 that are connected at one end, forming a "U" shape.
*Also plan on getting some moonlights
Water: pH usually sits around 7.8-7.9
Substrate: 3-5mm sized red river gravel
Temp: I plan on keeping it around 79 degrees
CO2: Don't want it.
Ferts: Bought some Seachem Flourish
Decorative airstone is 12'' in length
My goal: To have a fairly planted tank (but no more than 70%).
Not interested in any kind of a particular "scape", just want to know which plants do better in backround, mid and foreground.
I am already familiar with amazon swords, java ferns, moss balls, and valis.
Want to work within the parameters I have right now for lighting(not planning on updating the fixture anytime soon).
On a side note, I plan on putting various tetras, corydoras and shrimps in the tank as this is what I'm familiar with.
My questions are:
1) How deep should the gravel be? (back and front)
2) What type of plants? How many of each? Where do I put them?
3) How much fertilizer in the beginning? I know what the bottle says but I want your opinion. And does the dose stay the same as the plants get bigger?
4) How long do I keep the lights on? Can't get a straight answer from anyone yet. (day light and moon light)
5) Should I put some of the plants in clay pots with that plant substrate stuff?
6) After all is set up and plants are mature, should I still vacuum the gravel? Yes or no and WHY? Again, can't get a straight answer..
7) I am used to doing water changes every 2 weeks (25-30%) on my small tank. What should I aim for with this 140g? I know that heavy fert dosing requires weekly water changes of 50% (from what I've read) but I would like to avoid that if possible.
8) How do you prevent algae or at least minimize it?
9) With my lighting, is it considered low tech?
I may have many more questions but this is probably long and annoying enough already. I would appreciate any help with my questions
Thanks in advance guys and gals
Ciao!
Details:
Tank measurements: 6ft long, 2ft tall, 18" wide
Filter: FX5
Filter media: foam inserts, biomax, coarse filter pad, fine filter pad, water polishing pad.
Lighting:it came with a reflective hood with 2- 55 watt (2G11 lamps). It looks like there are 4 tubes but it's actually 2 that are connected at one end, forming a "U" shape.
*Also plan on getting some moonlights
Water: pH usually sits around 7.8-7.9
Substrate: 3-5mm sized red river gravel
Temp: I plan on keeping it around 79 degrees
CO2: Don't want it.
Ferts: Bought some Seachem Flourish
Decorative airstone is 12'' in length
My goal: To have a fairly planted tank (but no more than 70%).
Not interested in any kind of a particular "scape", just want to know which plants do better in backround, mid and foreground.
I am already familiar with amazon swords, java ferns, moss balls, and valis.
Want to work within the parameters I have right now for lighting(not planning on updating the fixture anytime soon).
On a side note, I plan on putting various tetras, corydoras and shrimps in the tank as this is what I'm familiar with.
My questions are:
1) How deep should the gravel be? (back and front)
2) What type of plants? How many of each? Where do I put them?
3) How much fertilizer in the beginning? I know what the bottle says but I want your opinion. And does the dose stay the same as the plants get bigger?
4) How long do I keep the lights on? Can't get a straight answer from anyone yet. (day light and moon light)
5) Should I put some of the plants in clay pots with that plant substrate stuff?
6) After all is set up and plants are mature, should I still vacuum the gravel? Yes or no and WHY? Again, can't get a straight answer..
7) I am used to doing water changes every 2 weeks (25-30%) on my small tank. What should I aim for with this 140g? I know that heavy fert dosing requires weekly water changes of 50% (from what I've read) but I would like to avoid that if possible.
8) How do you prevent algae or at least minimize it?
9) With my lighting, is it considered low tech?
I may have many more questions but this is probably long and annoying enough already. I would appreciate any help with my questions
Thanks in advance guys and gals
Ciao!
