Planted Tank And New Filter

[sharkbutter]

Hope this is in the right forum! I have a 29g tall tank. Currently it has white fine sand and while that may sound nice – it is not and I hate it. I was running an Aquaclear over-tank filter on it and went through 3 impellers by the time I decided to just suck it up and get me an Eheim canister. I am currently running both while the Aquaclear threatens to die and while the Eheim seeds. I also want to change out the substrate (both to avoid further impeller issues and because it is ugly). I also want the tank to become a planted tank and I am something of a newb when it comes to plant life. To the questions:

How long will the Eheim take to seed with both running. I assumed about a month, but I am not sure if my Aquaclear will last that long (I sort of don’t want it to, the monster)? Is the plan to run both filters at one time genius, or misinformed? As an established filter is already running I am not able to take measurements that are accurate to see when the new one cycles.

How long should I wait to change the substrate to avoid new tank syndrome?

I am going to go with a slightly coarser dark pink sand (Loaches dig sand…har har) with a mix of fluorite sand. What is the best ratio of Fluorite to sand?

Will the fluorite present any toxicity issues if it doesn’t have any plants to absorb it?

When I do finally plant the tank, what strength of light should I invest in for healthy plant growth?

For a tank this big, do I need to think about a CO2 system? I have a micro planted tank, and CO2 has not been a problem.

My tank parameters hover around: pH – 6.0 out of the tap, can usually get it buffered to 6.7 or 7. Nitrite – .25 might be lower now with new filter Nitrate – .25 same Ammonia – 0

Thanks for you input!

 

[SuperColey1]

Take the media out of the Aquaclear and put it in the Eheim. That is it job done. Its the media not the filter that has the goodies. Next water change swap some of the Eheim media in and take some of the old media out. Repeat each water change until you have all the Eheim in and all the old stuff out.

Can I ask how fine white san was getting into your filter? Have you got the intake right above the sand? Mine doesn't get any of beautiful fine white sand in it (Guess you can tell I disagree on the ugly siggestion. lol)

filters at one time genius, or misinformed?

ahem...see above. Misinformed I would say. Just swap media and basically as far as the tank water goes there is no change.

It won't cycle. As it is the old one has all the bacteria. Over time the Eheim will get some too but it won't cycle. More a case of the filters sharing the same quantity that is there at the mo. Dump the old un and just put the new one on with old media.

How long should I wait to change the substrate to avoid new tank syndrome?

If you really don't like it then take it out whenever you want. I would wait until you are ready to get the plants and do the whole subatret and planting together. the plants wil then help the filter sort the 'new tank syndrome'. 'New tank syndrome' isn't something that happens in a planted tank in general.

White = Ugly and pink is better? Ooh deary me. lol. Doesn't sound much good for plants. How many plants are you adding. Just a few or going all the way.

No idea on Flourite. I get clay ones like Tropica. they soak up nutrient like a store and the plants can get at it easy when they want it.

When I do finally plant the tank, what strength of light should I invest in for healthy plant growth?[/quote
Wait till you get the new substrate and don't tell the plants what colour it is going to be. I would think a couple of 24" T8 18W would suffice. Depends what you are after. A fast fast growth turbo tank or just a nice planted tank for your fish.

For a tank this big, do I need to think about a CO2 system? I have a micro planted tank, and CO2 has not been a problem.

For any size tank you don't NEED to think about CO2. CO2 is entirely an optional thing and it's need is dependant on the light. Put higlight on and you do NEED CO2 but under low light it doesn't matter what size your tank is.

Ignore the stats. they aren't so useful to this question. All you need to tell us is what light you currently have and to what level you are planting to.

AC

 

[sharkbutter]

Well, it is not PINK. I couldn't imagine having a hot pink sand in there. Just has a rosy/dark magenta hue to a darker sand base. That with a black fluorite should take the eye-ouch factor down It is high quality sand and is good for both plants and Loaches. The white sand seems to reflect everything green and ends up being VERY murky looking (not cloudy, just very green). it may also be my light, not exactly the highest quality light. It is some of the finest sand I have ever seen and gets kicked up very easily by my Loach who likes to kick it around. The guy at my local store (very reputable) has had the same problem with my type of filter - had several impellers go out for the same reason. They end up screaming because the sand wears away at the hole for the axle (or whatever it is called). I have never had anything but trouble with it. I have seen beautiful white sand pulled off before, but I am having trouble personally for the above factors. Maybe with better filtration/different hue of light it will look a little more pleasing. I plan on holding off on the substrate change until the filtration/light issues have been resolved.

I did seed the Eheim with the media from the Aquaclear. Just gave it a good squeeze. I will take the media and stick in in the Eheim.

I want to go all the way with the plants, but little by little. I have never had good luck sticking in tons at once, but this may just be because of my novice-ness as an aquatic gardener.