Plant Newbie Advice Please !

[woodster]

Hi All,

I'm a new member to this site and thought it a good place to get some advice as I have decided to convert my Juwel Vision 180 reef into a planted tropical set-up much like some of the excellent ones I've seen on here already. However, I have a few questions as I have never really had much success in growing a planted tank during my 25 years as a fishkeeper.

1. I'm going for a fertilizer on the base of the aquarium but am I better going for sand or small gravel to cover it with ?

2. I will be using a Fluval 304 external filter, other than biomax in the bottom section what else should I add as filter media ?

3. I've decided to go for the Arcadia Pro Plant T5 bulbs (2 x 24w) will that be suffucient as this would be via an I-Bar meaning not much room for anymore tubes although I will be using reflectors with them ?

Thanks in advance for any other beginners tips you can pass on

Cheers, Ian.

 

[woodster]

Anyone

 

[RYO]

Hi m8 welcome.
Well where do we start. in answer to your questions.
1- with fertilizer i take it you mean something like flourite or laterite , if that's the case personally id go with fine gravel (i have both) i seem to get better results with the gravel.
You could always go with all in 1 type like seachem onyx sand or eco complete.

2 - I use a basket of filter wool first to remove bigger particles and helps keep ceramic tubes a bit cleaner.
couple of baskets of ceramic tubes (or the like)
then a basket of fine filter wool for polishing the water.
I don't use carbon as this can remove beneficial nutrients from the water.

3 - 180L tank is roughly 48 us gal or 40 imp gal with 2x 24w this gives you 1wpg which is pretty low (if my maths is correct (bit early for me) with this you would be a tad limited to which plants you could use.
Theres a good sticky at the top of the planted forum on lighting - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96754

Have a read through the pinned topics (some real good work in there) and dont hesitate to ask questions.
No such thing as a daft question, hope this helps some ?

 

[woodster]

Thanks for the info mate.

Regarding the lights I was hoping that because they are T5's and the fact that they will be used with reflectors that this would qualify them for a slightly higher reading than the standard WPG calculation ?

Also, as I have an RO unit for my marine tank would it be worth using RO water for this set-up or would you use treated tapwater as I intend to keep a few fairly common community fish along with the plants ?

Thanks again.

 

[woodster]

Can anyone help here ?

 

[RYO]

I don't think the type of light matters, i think the t5 are stronger wattage for their length.
I'm not up on ro water (my water supply is pretty good) so i suppose it depends on your supply quality, but i know a few on here mix there tap water with ro as their water is pretty hard.
As you already have the unit might as well use it.

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks for the info mate.

Regarding the lights I was hoping that because they are T5's and the fact that they will be used with reflectors that this would qualify them for a slightly higher reading than the standard WPG calculation ?

Also, as I have an RO unit for my marine tank would it be worth using RO water for this set-up or would you use treated tapwater as I intend to keep a few fairly common community fish along with the plants ?

Thanks again.

Hi woodster

High output T5s do give more light watt for watt than T8s so 1 WPG may be enough to grow easier plants.

When you get round to changing your Arcadia tubes then I recommend these, much cheaper and better colour rendition - http/www.thearc.co.uk/catalogue1.php?cur...E+Daylight+6500

Do you intend injecting CO2? If you want a heavily planted tank like some you see here then I recommend it. It not only boosts plant growth but in doing so helps control algae.

What is your tap water parameters i.e. KH, GH, NO3, PO4?

 

[woodster]

Thanks for the response mate, thought there was only me and thee here