More Question, Please Advise :)

[Lolly123]

Hi all,

Sorry for all the posts but if im spending money want to know I'm buying right, cancelled my previous order of a 300L and gonna focus on the little tank being planted, dimensions in inches are 30x15x15, about 80L I think.

Im planning to buy..

1. Hydor Prime 20 - It say's "ideal for tanks between 100 and 250lts'
2. Two sacks of seachem flourite - heard its messy, but seems to be pretty good after its settled?
3. Luminaire - being that my tank is only 76cm long, I assume the one that fits tanks of up to 93cm will be the one for me, that comes with 2 39W T5's. I assume given the size of my tank the lighting will be quite sufficient?

What with all this outlay on substrate, and lighting etc, I am also looking into a co2 unit, with an overview of my setup above do you feel that co2 is worth it..and if it is, what kit would you recommend?

All answers welcome as my credit is out and ready to be rinsed

TY

 

[lljdma06]

Roughly 20g then. If this were my tank...

1.Focus on filtration and flow... Good filters and/or powerheads is number one on my list.

2. I don't use nutrient substrates at all. I just dose through the water column. I can then have whatever substrate I want and not worry about mixing it. Others are different. Up to you, but you can have a very healthy planted tank with an inert substrate. Totally doable. Flourite is extremely messy. Others have used it with success. Cheaper and clean alternatives are available, but I defer to those who actually use the nutrient substrates.

3. Too much light!!!! I have 28W of NO T5 over my 36g.

4. Are you planning on using CO2? This will determine what I suggest with regard to lighting. Regardless, however, 78W is too much light...

5. Are you planning to dose?

6. What will be your planting density? Your planting goals?

llj

 

[Lolly123]

Thanks for reply.


I just worked out WPG on that calculation and it was enormous! This is where im getting stuck...im not sure what luminaire to buy

I'd ideally like to try without co2 because its expensive but then again ive seen the loveliness it can create and the fact that my ph runs at 7.8, which is high and i thought the co2 would bring that down and benefit the plants more..but then again if I dont get my lighting right and its too low whats the point of co2? This is a little mind boggling.


As for filter, i'm hoping that the hydor will be sufficient and an additional power head, i dont want my tank to be swishing all over the place but want a nice steady flow.

As for plants im thinking dense and green and lush and would get something like TPN+ for all in one?

I really am a newbie to planted tank so spelling it out to me if you can be bothered wont offend

 

[Lolly123]

Okay so i've seen single light system Glo T5 39W....thats nearly 2wpg....if i'm correct?

Something like that be more suitable?

 

[lljdma06]

No CO2. Go less than 1WPG of t5... Between .5-1WPG will be plenty for lush green. TPN+ is fine for dosing. It's what I use in my tanks whether I dose CO2 or not. My profile has pictures of my 36g which is a non-CO2 system with low light levels.

 

[Lolly123]

Thank you for giving me your advice, i needed that. I'll try and get 1wpg or less, but trying to find a lighting unit online that meets my requirements is a nightmare, the closest ive got is 1.2wpg

Thanks once again, I was starting to get a headache before you replied

 

[lljdma06]

No, planted tanks should never, ever cause headaches... They should prevent them...

I like to make things as simple as possible so you can enjoy the tank...

 

[Lolly123]

No, planted tanks should never, ever cause headaches... They should prevent them...

I like to make things as simple as possible so you can enjoy the tank...

haha, yes you are right, once all my equipment arrives ill be happy, and as for filter i decided against the hydor prime and went for the eheim ecco pro 200 and a hydor powerhead. Now all is left is substrate, lights, and some liquid ferts..and of course the nice part...plant buying

 

[myrtle]

the fact that my ph runs at 7.8, which is high and i thought the co2 would bring that down and benefit the plants more..but then again if I dont get my lighting right and its too low whats the point of co2? This is a little mind boggling.

Forget about pH unless it affects your fish, plants really couldn't care less! I wouldn't add C02 just to lower it, My pH is about 8 and the plants are healthy and happy. Yout lghting is what will drive everything else so to avoid adding pressurised or liquid carbon stick to low light otherwise you'll get in a mess with algae.

 

[Lolly123]

Good to know about PH, I wanted to leave it well alone, and with confirmation that it wont stunt plant growth, then I will. Although i like the idea of co2 alot, its actually pretty scary in my mind.

I have been searching online for the hagen single glo T5 24w light unit and to be honest it is a complete nightmare, i havent seen anything else that suits my tank and there is an abundance of 39w and double 24w, but the singles dont seem to be readily available here at all. If any of you know different i'd love to know.

TY