Erik
Fish Fanatic
Hi, I just picked up two 20L tanks and would like to set them up as planted tanks and I've got lots of questions.
A little background. I'm in Hawaii and we don't have much available locally for plants, filters or lighting so I'll
have to order most things. Plus for me to bring in plants, I'm required by the State to have an Import Permit to Import plants at $ 20 per order. My tap water is soft at ~ 100 tds with a pH of ~ 8 but I plan on keeping Cories with RO
at ~ 70 tds and a pH of 7 or less. I'm not currently planning on using CO2. I'm planning on using small sandblasting
sand for the substrate.
Filtration: I'm trying to decide on a filter type. I've read here that HOB filters tend to blow off CO2. Is this a myth? If not, is it because of the additional turbulence caused from the HOB filters? What would be a good filter?
Substrate: Should I initially be adding anything to my substrate at setup?
Lighting: I've been looking at one a or two tube T5 lighting strip. Would this be a good idea? How much light should
looking to have?
Plants: What types of plants will work for my setup (low tank height, low TDS and pH of 7 or less)? Should I be planning
on adding nutrients and if so, what types?
Thanks,
Erik
Edit - My tank temps. are ~ 78 - 80 degrees.
A little background. I'm in Hawaii and we don't have much available locally for plants, filters or lighting so I'll
have to order most things. Plus for me to bring in plants, I'm required by the State to have an Import Permit to Import plants at $ 20 per order. My tap water is soft at ~ 100 tds with a pH of ~ 8 but I plan on keeping Cories with RO
at ~ 70 tds and a pH of 7 or less. I'm not currently planning on using CO2. I'm planning on using small sandblasting
sand for the substrate.
Filtration: I'm trying to decide on a filter type. I've read here that HOB filters tend to blow off CO2. Is this a myth? If not, is it because of the additional turbulence caused from the HOB filters? What would be a good filter?
Substrate: Should I initially be adding anything to my substrate at setup?
Lighting: I've been looking at one a or two tube T5 lighting strip. Would this be a good idea? How much light should
looking to have?
Plants: What types of plants will work for my setup (low tank height, low TDS and pH of 7 or less)? Should I be planning
on adding nutrients and if so, what types?
Thanks,
Erik
Edit - My tank temps. are ~ 78 - 80 degrees.