Need Some Advice.....

[LoachLover!]

I have a Fluval Roma 200 which I HATE! I hate the layout - I really do!

So, basically, I need new everything - only fish stock would remain the same.

I need new plants, but first I need to ask a few questions!

So, I need new lighting! I only have the cheap T8s that came with it and in total they around 60W or something. I want to get some T5s that won't break the bank but will do a good job. As I already have the light fixtures, can I just get a new bulb and attach those, or do I need to buy a whole new light fixture? Can anyone suggest any? The tank is 100cm long.

Co2 - I do not want to use a Co2 Canister etc, so how effective would liquid co2 be? Would EasyCarbo be worth putting in?

I used cat litter in a previous tank. Is there any way of me being able to take out my sand, put cat litter on the bottom and then cap it with sand again, whilst keeping my fish? Would I be better off with a better substrate for plants or will cat litter capped with sand do the trick?

What liquid fertilisers would be good? I would preferably like it to be affordable, and a small enough dose that I won't reguarly be having to replace the bottle.

Will I have to remove the fish and put them into buckets to do all this? Will that be easy enough to do? Will that upset the balance? I don't want to stress them out any more than I have to.

I am planning to do a more branchy wood scape, with the aquascaping rock that all the great aquascapers use, and have the majority of the plants and wood and rock in the middle if you get what I mean. Any tips for this kind of set up?

Plants - Good plants? I want some nice plants, that are not super slow growers. I want a carpet of something as well. Any suggestions are appreciated

Thanks in advance, sorry it's such a long post! Any input is great

 

[mike455555]

okay lights if you have a T5 starter a T5 bulb will fit in it if not your going to have to replace them.

liquid co2 does work well. i use it the best value for money online is this one. its the most consecrated for the money

cheap fertlizers are salts heres a good starting kit

fish in buckets is fine it shouldent upset the balance (seeing as your filters cycled already) do expect a little algae though like any new tank.

as for carpting plants a easy one is riccia it makes a nice carpet just needs tieing down java moss is also a good one HC might be okay depends on what lights you get other caprting plants are staurogyne repens, glasso and Marsilea hirsuta and dwarf hair grass if you opt for hair grass go to a gardening center and look in there pond plants you get a lot more for your money (its normally a taller type though)

im selling riccia on here if you chose that. also i might have some HC up for sale soon if you want that

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I have to ask but what filter do you have for the tank?

 

[LoachLover!]

Thank you

I have a fluval U4 Internal - hope to get something bigger and better

 

[Ps3Steveo]

First thing you have to think about is flow in a planted tank and aim for at least 10 x turnover or you'll have dying plants that don't get the nutrients or algae or both. Have a look on ebay, you can get some good externals on there if your on a budget or MA do their aquamanta range which I use and are great.

 

[LoachLover!]

Ok, thank you - Would the All Pond solutions range do the trick?