Maybe Getting A 20 Long

[caboose_122]

hi, if i pass my final exams i might be getting a 20 gallon long, and i wanted to do it planted, i have never done a planted tank before and i would love to do a natural looking tank, i was thinking plants like ludwigia inclinata verticillata (cuba),
rotala macrandra, blyxa japonica, and hemianthus callitrichoides for ground cover.

what do you guys think, for the plants, i would be trying to get 3 WPG for the tank

what do i use for co2? do i buy it or do i have to make it?

everything helps
thanks

 

[DevUK]

It all depends on your budget If you can afford it, there are some good CO2 kits for around the £100 mark. If not, take a read of the DIY CO2 thread. A lot of useful info in there

 

[rsands]

you need to consider EI and CO2. as mentioned pressurised or diy is available depending on budget

 

[caboose_122]

i am deffinetly on budget, i dont have a job yet, my mom is buying the basics, tank lights, filters, heaters, and substrate.
what kind of substrate should i use?

 

[caboose_122]

anyone? how do the plants for the tank sound?

 

[caboose_122]

i have decieded to get a 5 gallon nano, i already have what i want it to look like, if i was going to use oak branches i have to soak them then bake them right then soak them again for a week right?

with a diy co2 system, sand substrate, 3wpg lighting, with the same plants

 

[Castellop123]

 

[caboose_122]

ok, could you recommend good beginner plants that dont have large leaveswould hair grass be ok for this tank, although i would like to keep the HC and it looks like i am getting a 10 gallon not a 5.5, i want a thin leaved plant that can be kept in low light around 3wpg any sugestions help

 

[john starkey]

Hi may i suggest you do a bit of reading up on things first it may save you money in the long run, for plants i would take a look at the tropica web site,anything else you need to know is in the pinned articles, but your biggest thing is to be patient. good luck john btw a good substrate for you is eco complete you dont need to wash it just put in the amount you need and away you go.

 

[caboose_122]

i dont know if i can get eco complete out here, i was already thinking about getting it i guess ill check ebay.

whats the tropica site? could some one tell me please

 

[Castellop123]

...

 

[caboose_122]

thanks alot!

 

[K.J.]

If on a budget you can buy nutrafin co2, usually 15 - 30 dollars a kit, and fairly good but not as good as pressurized I think.

 

[caboose_122]

ok thanks for the info,

i think i have desided on my plants, here it goes:
ceratophyllum demersum
cryptocoryne undulata
eleocharis parvula
hemiantus callitrichoides "cuba"
hygrophila polysperma

how does that sound,

i might have the tank in about 3-5 days,

just wondering do i have to have florecent tubes becuase i have a hood for a 10 gallon and it has 2 bulbs that are 40 watts each i believe would that work, htey are the energy save bulbs if not let me know so i can buy a hood with a florecent tube