My 60 gallon Grocery List

[Fish_Mike]

Not that i am implying that i AM missing anything but i'd rather be safe than sorry

well anyways, over the past few hours, i've compiled a list of every single last bit other than fish food, that i'll need for a 60 gallon planted: so here it is and tell if there's anything i need to add or if i could take something away:

60 Gallon planted setup:

3x Nutrafin CO2 injectors x2 60.00$ (already have 1)

2x Seachem Flourite $29.99ea

1x Coralife Actinic Blue VHO Fluorescent Lamp -48" (110Watt) $44.99 (maybe less depending on length)

1x 60 gallon aquarium $99.00

Heater - Have

Filter - Fluval 104 have and 204 $99.99

Test kits and Dechlorinator - Have

Seachem Flourish Iron 250 ml - 10.99

Amazonian Plants - $50 (for Beginning)

Driftwood - 30$ (centerpiece)

Inhabitants:

- 4 Pterophyllum Leopoldi ($60) ( for Beginning)

 

[Yenko]

Sounds good; you may want to consider adding macronutrient ferts to that list; personally I wouldn't buy the Seachem Flourish Iron; I would make some PMDD and use that. Or, if you have sufficient CO2, I would use the EI method.

 

[Fish_Mike]

I must say, this is my first planted tank ever, so i don't really know what PMDD or IE means )

 

[zig]

Have a read of the article i did the other day on the Estimative Index, its a method of fertiliseing planted tanks, and if followed you should remain algae free, its mainly suited for tanks running co2 and more than 2 WPG, its pinned at the top of this section of the forum.

Actinic blue lamps are usually used for marine setups, and not suitable for FW planted tanks, have a look at gf225 pinned article on lighting again at the top of this section.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Thanks, i'll make sure to read both of those.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Alright i read through both posts and although i don't 100% understand the one on Plant Nutrients (EI) i will re-read it later on for a better understanding.

So from what i've learned a blue colour lamp will be too hot for my tank, and therefore a tri-colour one is better, would this lamp then: Coralife Trichromatic VHO Fluorescent Lamp -48" (110Watt): be better?

 

[zig]

Alright i read through both posts and although i don't 100% understand the one on Plant Nutrients (EI) i will re-read it later on for a better understanding.

So from what i've learned a blue colour lamp will be too hot for my tank, and therefore a tri-colour one is better, would this lamp then: Coralife Trichromatic VHO Fluorescent Lamp -48" (110Watt): be better?

[snapback]884462[/snapback]​

Yes this tube is good, its rated at 6500k, but i think its only 40 watt per single tube, so you will need more than one.

Blue tubes for marine setups will enduce algae in planted tanks, rather quickly.

Edit hold on a sec, i still think the one you are looking at is an atinic bilb AND THESE ARE MARINE TUBES you will have to double check im not familar with these tubes, so cancel my advice above.

 

[Fish_Mike]

It's stated on the big al's website that it is 110w

 

[zig]

Look at my edit i think these are marine tubes, im not familar with these tubes, someone else will have to advise you.

 

[qwikimpss]

Power compact lights are awesome. More expensive than VHO flourescents but worth it, I'd look into one of them, I run a 65 watt on my 29 gal.

 

[Fish_Mike]

eek, i'm not sure i can go for something more expensive right now, but i guess i can check them out...

 

[Fish_Mike]

Does anyone know any online plant sellers that are in or close to Canada?

 

[zig]

Ok i had a look again at the tube you are considering and it is fine, but i doubt it will fit a standard flourescent fitting, as far as i know VHO tubes require a different fitting and ballast so you wolud have to purchase those as well as the tube itself.

If you just have the standard flourescent fitting and ballast i think you are stuck with a 40 watt tube as the maximum you could run, so you will have to either add more tubes or consider a total lighting upgrade.

 

[Fish_Mike]

oh pooo, and how much extra might that cost?