new planted tank

[amstar15]

I have a 45/55 gallon (not sure) corner tank. the tank is 23 inches deep (top to bottom of tank) lighting.. what do I need to get? i have read 2wpg up to 3wpg. either one I can get. the filtration I have is a wet dry filter. what else do I need to get? special type of gravel right? would you go with power-compacts due to the depth of the tank.

just interested in maybe doing a planted tank. I already have a reef tank.

 

[George Farmer]

Power Compacts (T5) are a good idea. Bear in mind that with 2 or 3 WPG you will need to inject CO2. Read my new Lighting article pinned at the top of this forum for a more in depth look at lighting.

I recommend a fine inert gravel type substrate (1 to 3mm) mixed with laterite. Flourite and Eco-complete are great too but more expensive.

Not too sure on your filtration - wet and dry. Does that create high O2 levels in the water? High O2 = low CO2, bad for plants.

 

[amstar15]

never thought of the O2 problem. so what would you suggest. maybe a fluval 404??? or maybe a hang on type filter? the substrate i can do. so what about lower watts per gallon. how low can i go before i have to inject co2 to the tank to keep everything healthy?

 

[George Farmer]

I use a Fluval 204 in my 34G and find it excellent although I have heard of some reliability issues with some. Eheim externals are popular and very reliable - the Professional II series is widely regarded as the best. I would definitely go for an external canister in your size tank.

As for lighting - You could keep to 2 WPG or slightly less and not use CO2. IMO though if you want to have a long-term, successful planted tank i.e. one that runs algae free with plants that stay healthy for months or years then I would recommend CO2 injection. With under 2 WPG you are somewhat limited in plant choice and plants will grow relatively slowly thus leaving the margin for error where algae is concerned a lot larger. Algae is the planted aquarists biggest bug-bear (I'm sure reefkeepers are similar) and CO2 IME is the greatest weapon against it.

If however you are not after a heavily planted tank i.e. one with less than 50% substrate coverage then I would go for about 1.5 WPG and grow some lower-light plants. CO2 would not be necessary but it would still benefit.

In summary I would suggest it is actually harder to acheive a well-balanced "healthy" thank with less-light and no CO2. I have experience with all levels of lighting/CO2/nutrient combinations and would say the easiest to keep healthy and algae free is one that has high lighting levels (3 WPG or more), lots of CO2 (30 mg/l) and regular fertilisation. This is however my personal experience - some have great success with lower-tech set-ups.

 

[Nospherith]

High O2 = low CO2, bad for plants.

I'm suprised since CO2 doesn't affect O2 saturation. Besides, how can you prevent having high O2 saturation with a tankful of photosynthesizing plants?

 

[George Farmer]

Ah, my mistake. Sorry.

I was referring to the agitation that the wet and dry filter produces (hence the high O2) thus driving off CO2.

Obviously it is possible to have both high O2 and CO2 so long as the O2 isn't produced via water agitation.