New Tank Set Up For 140G

[Caprichoso]

Hi,

I'm re-posting this here as no one in the planted tank section has responded yet. Would appreciate your time and advice please. Answers to any of the questions would be great if you can't answer them all!

I have recently purchased a used 140g(I think it's 140) aquarium and need some suggestions on plants I can grow and where to put them.

Details:

Tank measurements: 6ft long, 2ft tall, 18" wide
Filter: FX5
Filter media: foam inserts, biomax, coarse filter pad, fine filter pad, water polishing pad.
Lighting:it came with a reflective hood with 2- 55 watt (2G11 lamps). It looks like there are 4 tubes but it's actually 2 that are connected at one end, forming a "U" shape.
*Also plan on getting some moonlights
Water: pH usually sits around 7.8-7.9
Substrate: 3-5mm sized red river gravel
Temp: I plan on keeping it around 79 degrees
CO2: Don't want it.
Ferts: Bought some Seachem Flourish
Decorative airstone is 12'' in length

My goal: To have a fairly planted tank (but no more than 70%).
Not interested in any kind of a particular "scape", just want to know which plants do better in backround, mid and foreground.
I am already familiar with amazon swords, java ferns, moss balls, and valis.
Want to work within the parameters I have right now for lighting(not planning on updating the fixture anytime soon).
On a side note, I plan on putting various tetras, corydoras and shrimps in the tank as this is what I'm familiar with.


My questions are:
1) How deep should the gravel be? (back and front)
2) What type of plants? How many of each? Where do I put them?
3) How much fertilizer in the beginning? I know what the bottle says but I want your opinion. And does the dose stay the same as the plants get bigger?
4) How long do I keep the lights on? (day light and moon light)
5) Should I put some of the plants in clay pots with that plant substrate stuff?
6) After all is set up and plants are mature, should I still vacuum the gravel? Yes or no and WHY? I keep finding conflicting info.
7) I am used to doing water changes every 2 weeks (25-30%) on my small tank. What should I aim for with this 140g? I know that heavy fert dosing requires weekly water changes of 50% (from what I've read) but I would like to avoid that if possible.
8) How do you prevent algae or at least minimize it?
9) With my lighting, is it considered low tech?

Thanks in advance guys and gals
Ciao!

 

[Caprichoso]

what do I need to do to get some attention? ANY help would be great!

 

[karin]

Here are a few answers...


My questions are:
1) How deep should the gravel be? (back and front)

1.5=2 inches on average

2) What type of plants? How many of each? Where do I put them?

This is too hard to answer. Really you need to decide what you like and just start slowly planting the tank. It is fun to have a work in progress. That being said anubias are easy plants. I have had great luck with vallis, long tall grass like plant. Check out some tanks you like in the photo section and then ask some questions. The planted tank section also has some great pinned articles on plants.

3) How much fertilizer in the beginning? I know what the bottle says but I want your opinion. And does the dose stay the same as the plants get bigger?

I fertizlie about 2-3 times the rate it says on the bottle. But it will depend on the plants, the lighting, the substrate, so it is hard to just give you the details.

4) How long do I keep the lights on? (day light and moon light)

Day lights about 8 hours. I Don't use moon lights so don't know.

5) Should I put some of the plants in clay pots with that plant substrate stuff?

NO, plant them up in the substrate.

6) After all is set up and plants are mature, should I still vacuum the gravel? Yes or no and WHY? I keep finding conflicting info.

Yes, vacuum around the plants. Some people who are very good at planted tanks can go months without vacuuming or water changes but with general clean up and pruning, but I would start out vacuuming until you become the expert.

7) I am used to doing water changes every 2 weeks (25-30%) on my small tank. What should I aim for with this 140g? I know that heavy fert dosing requires weekly water changes of 50% (from what I've read) but I would like to avoid that if possible.

I don't have a giant tank. But I do a 25% change weekly or every other week on my planted 60 gallon.

8) How do you prevent algae or at least minimize it?

Keep your water stats perfect. Light and ammonia mean algae. Read up, learn a lot as there are multiple causes of algae blooms. Keep up with the planted tank section and the tropical discussion sections and you will learn a lot. Research every fish. Never impulse buy a fish or a plant IMO

9) With my lighting, is it considered low tech?

Yes, less than 1 watt per gallon.

Thanks in advance guys and gals
Ciao!
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[Caprichoso]

Thank you for your help