Low Tech Setup

[flyhawk]

hi im thinking of doing a low tech aquarium after trying high tech and bombing.

i have a ehiem 2215 classic
i can have any level of lighting (you tell me whats good)
i will use eco complete
no c02
no ferts (is it possible?? )
6 neons maybe more angelfish
crypts ,valls, bunch plant? ground cover (what do you think)
i know its alot of Questions but i need hepl!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[aaronnorth]

You could do with a nother filter or powerhead, at the minute you only have just over 2x turnover - aim for 10x

40 - 50w of T5 OR 80 - 90w of T8

Having no ferts may work, but to be on the safe side i would buy a bottle of TPN+ and dose it weekly.

List of Plants

 

[flyhawk]

well, i have an under gravel filter, but thats not good, and i have my old penguin bio wheel 350

what if i bought some really good nutrient filled gravel or plant mud would that work? if so, could you give me some suggestions?
also im really worried about using ferts, the last time i did, my tank clouded up.
another thing, do you have a gooddiy c02 plan?

 

[aaronnorth]

There is much better than eco complete, only ADA aquasoil.

do you have a good diy c02 plan?

not sure what you mean by this?

 

[flyhawk]

i mean a way to set up a diy co2 system, you know, with the 2 liter bottles. your just so succesful with your tanks, i want to know how you do it.
i will look into that aqua soil

 

[aaronnorth]

The reason my tank is successfukl is because of the pressurized system (2kg fire extinghuisher), i can regulate how much CO2 i want to inject whereas the DIY kits you cant. It isnt ideal to have the DIY on a 55 gallon due to you needing loads of bottles and if you follow the wattage of lighing above then you should not need to inject CO2.

follow this guide for more information on fermentation kits: http/www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/10/build-...-generator.html

 

[flyhawk]

i have 48 inch long bulbs that are about 1and a half inches long to two inches long. are these T5s?

 

[Truck]

1.5 inch in diameter do you mean?
they are T12's if so

 

[aaronnorth]

T5 - 5/8th of an inch
T8 - 1"

 

[flyhawk]

they are T 12s because there almost 1.5 inches ,and definitely bigger than i inch!

 

[flyhawk]

also , which is better for the planted low tech aquarium , moneywort or bacopa carolinia?
if both wouldnt work, what are some other bunched that would work?

 

[aaronnorth]

moneywort

 

[flyhawk]

ok so this is what im thinking oh by the how many wats do i need for t 12S?

alright im thinking
money wort
2 swords
crypt becketii
crypt wendtii
anubias nana
tiger lotus
vallis americana
echinodorus tennelus carpet plant( i found that its one of the few easy cover plants that take low light!)

flourite substrate(its cheaper than ADA Aquasoil, and even the flourites going to be steep for a 55!)
maybe dose seachem excel
any suggestions on any thing else to add?

 

[Truck]

what about tropica plant substrate? its £18 for a bag big enough for a 200l/55gallon

and for ferts i recomend TPN+ as aaron recomended it to me, looks like good stuff, and looking at the results and reviews everybodys raving about it and its about £13 for 500 ml

 

[flyhawk]

im sorry but well....uhh......im american so i dont think that would work