My Setup- Please Comment!

[dasmall1]

I am starting a 29 gallon planted tank. I am putting in HB Pastel guppies, so I'm using only plants from Asia or SE Asia to make it look like home.

Plants:
-Monosolenium tenerum
-Microsorum pteropus
-Rotala rotundifolia
-Limnophila sessiflora
-Hygrophila polysperma
-H. difformis
-H. corymbosa
-Riccia fluitans (attached to driftwood and as a carpet)

Sbustrate:
-Eco-Complete

CO2:
-2 units Nutrafin Natural Plant System

I have 2x 24" fluorescent hoods. What would be the best and cheapest way to achieve at least 75 watts?

What is the best fertilizer to use with this setup?

Should I use Eco-Complete instead of Seachem Fluorite or Onyx sand?

Do I still some type of filter with this?

PLEASE COMMENT!!! Thanks

 

[zig]

Use ADA aquasoil for your substrate its better than flourite, eco complete etc. You can order it from ADG if you live in the USA.

Read the estimate index article pinned at the top of this section of the forum, this tells you a method of how to fertilise a highlight tank correctly.

Technically you do not need a filter for a planted tank although probably 99% of people will use them 1. because we keep fish as well as plants 2. even if you dont keep fish in this tank you will need some way to circulate the nutrients that you dose and also to circulate the CO2 effectively, but a powerhead or pump could do this.

External filtration is the preferred method of filtration in planted tanks.

 

[dasmall1]

Wow, thank you. I've been researching this for many months because I know how important it is the have a very good plan before starting thru experience. I'll just get a 10g power filter. That should be sufficent, and I'm poor.

The ADA aqua soil says it lowers the pH to 5.5 - 6.5. Will I be able to easily keep it at a steady 7.0 because I plan on adding fish?

Lighting is the last thing I need to decide on. Does anyone have any suggestions? I want the cheapest way to have at least 75 watts with 2x 24" fluorescent hoods.

Thank you!

 

[dasmall1]

I see that I will have to be a whole new fixture to have compact lighting. I found a cheap, used fixture that will fit my tank. CustomSeaLife power compact 30" 2x65w moonlights. Is 130 watts too much for a 29 gallon tank? All of the plants need medium to very high lighting, so I think it should be alright.

Is there any ADA substrate that doesn't buffer the pH under 7.0?

I haven't set this tank up yet, but when I do, I will have many pictures!