Putting Together A High-Tech Tank.

[qwikimpss]

I have gone quite some time without a serious planted tank (and quite some time being absent from these boards) .I have decided to make the only tank I have running right now, my 75 US gal (48X18X18) a high tech setup with pressurized CO2 and the like.

My CO2 regulator and goodies got delivered yesterday before I got home from work and I was like a little kid at christmas opening the box. My wife thought I had lost it. I got the Semi-Automatic system from Foster and Smith http/www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3747+9935&pcatid=9935. The regulator is made by Azoo, which I have read is a decent one, is that correct? I can always upgrade later.

I'm planning on running T-5 HO lighting. Most of the T-5 setups I can find in 48" are 216 watts, which would work out to 2.88 watts per gallon. Seems ok to me, any issues anyone can see with that? This one looks pretty good to me for a fairly reasonable price (although when it comes time to buy I will shop around a bit more) http/www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+16771&pcatid=16771. Obviously I am going to swap out the bulbd for more appropriate ones, not actinic.

My problem is substrate. I have had GREAT success with Eco Complete but I don't like the way it looks. I like having the dark substrate but something about it bugs me. Especially after having playsand in my 75 right now. Any ideas?

 

[RadaR]

216W is way too much light. You would only need 100W-120W.
As for substrate. Purchase an undergravel substrate (Sera depot, Tetra substrate, Tropica substrate) and then place a gravel you like ontop. Or, just buy a gravel you like. Nutrient rich substrates arent NEEDED but they do give us larger margains for error. If you dosed the water column enough (you're going to need to ) then a nutrient rich substrate isnt essential.
Btw, what ferts will you be dosing.