Ready To Get Started Advice Needed

[john starkey]

HI guys / gals, I have finally made my decision on tank size after decorating the living room,and moving furniture,(and sucking up to the wife ) TANK SIZE 150X45X60 about 84 gals? I want to go high tech at between 3-4 wpg would i need about 250-300 watts total or would i need more or less lighting. i am thinking of arcadia overhead luminaire?For substrate i think i will go with eco complete around 4 to 5 bags should do it. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADVISE ME AND OFFER YOUR OPINIONS ALL HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED. CHEER JOHN
PS THIS IS MY FIRST PLANTED TANK

 

[George Farmer]

I'd stick with 2wpg. You can still grow anything and there's less algae risk.

An Arcadia overtank unit would be fine. The 150cm model with 4 x 54w HO T5 will set you back about £250. Aqua Essentials also sell the new Tek units that are even better, but more expensive.

Substrate sounds good.

Filtration wise I'd go for something like two Eheim 2028 with in-line heaters.

CO2 is an important consideration too and for that size I'd recommend a 2Kg cylinder and in-line reactor or two glass ceramic diffusers (one at each end).

 

[Themuleous]

Tank should be quality, like marines the larger the volume of water the easier it is as its more stable.

For such a large tank you could probably get away with anything over 2WPG, if you got an Arcadia luminary it would be T5 which would help with depth penetration of the light, so would be ideal.

Eco-complete would be an excellent substrate.

Keep us posted

Sam

EDIT - your turn for a ninja, George!

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Thats a big tank you have there John Lol.

Do you have any ideas about the design for this one, have you won the lottery?, its going to be heavy one the old wallet.

R,
Graeme.

 

[john starkey]

Firstly thanks guys for the advice, GEORGE why two filters why not one larger one ? And do you mean eheim thermofilters model 2128,Co2 would be pressurised does anyone know of a cheap source? and would it be refillable.

SAM, i have always wanted a large aquarium now that i can i am going for it , i will keep every one posted on progress.

GRAHAM, I have been saving for ages and now have a budget of £2000 tops,As for the layout i am still reading lots of books (mainly aqua journals and nature aquarium world books 1,2,and 3 but i am at the moment leaning towards a concave theme with lots of swimming space in the middle, i want to plant 95% of the substrate.

KEEP THE ADVICE COMING GUYS / GIRLS CHEERS JOHN

 

[George Farmer]

Two filters gives you better circulation, maintenance is better and if one goes wrong.....

Eheim 2028 with 300w Hydor in-line heater is better IMO than 2128 with built-in heater. The 2128 comes with an ugly temp probe that sits in the tank. There's no hardware on display with the Hydor.

You can get a good CO2 reg for around £60, then you need a 2Kg fire extinguisher or similar, CO2 hosing, NRV, solenoid, diffuser/reactor. Depending on manufacturers anything from £100 to £400 for a complete system.

 

[john starkey]

Two filters gives you better circulation, maintenance is better and if one goes wrong.....

Eheim 2028 with 300w Hydor in-line heater is better IMO than 2128 with built-in heater. The 2128 comes with an ugly temp probe that sits in the tank. There's no hardware on display with the Hydor.

You can get a good CO2 reg for around £60, then you need a 2Kg fire extinguisher or similar, CO2 hosing, NRV, solenoid, diffuser/reactor. Depending on manufacturers anything from £100 to £400 for a complete system.

Thanks George i am pleased about the filters 2028 (£109-95 The living seas ) is alot cheaper than the 2128 , and thanks for co2 info , I want to use a PH controler as well this would help maintain correct co2 delivery. Regards

 

[George Farmer]

I wouldn't bother with pH controller personally. CO2 on a solenoid one hour before lights is fine. Save the £££ for quality plants etc.

 

[john starkey]

I wouldn't bother with pH controller personally. CO2 on a solenoid one hour before lights is fine. Save the £££ for quality plants etc.

I dont want to appear stupid here but tell me if im wrong, i assume you mean i restart co2 injection after it has been off all night before lights on. Also if i had i siesta during my lighting period would i turn off the co2 or just let it run . regards

 

[George Farmer]

CO2 is off during the night. It comes on 1 hour before lights so CO2 is good as lights come on.

Siestas are generally only effective for those with poor CO2. Better to have good CO2 and a midday burst of light i.e. have 2 tubes on for 10 hours, with all 4 tubes on for the middle 4 or 5 hours.

 

[Themuleous]

Whatever you do CO2 wise, find somewhere to get the cylinder refilled before you buy any of the kit, getting refills can be a sod in the UK so find somewhere that'll do it. I know the aquatic habitat in Gloucester do refills, think up to 2kg cylinders.

You can get a decent reg on ebay for about £45 including postage, or you could get a kit for about £60.

As George says dont bother with a probe, they are expensive and not at all necessary.

Sam

 

[john starkey]

Whatever you do CO2 wise, find somewhere to get the cylinder refilled before you buy any of the kit, getting refills can be a sod in the UK so find somewhere that'll do it. I know the aquatic habitat in Gloucester do refills, think up to 2kg cylinders.

You can get a decent reg on ebay for about £45 including postage, or you could get a kit for about £60.

As George says dont bother with a probe, they are expensive and not at all necessary.

Sam

Hi Sam thanks for the info the aquatic habitat is only 45mins form my house so i will pop in next weekend and have a chat with them
PS keep the info coming Sam i might buy you that toaster on your wedding list. Regards John

 

[Themuleous]

I'll hold you to that

 

[john starkey]

Hi all okay lighting !! If i buy the arcadia luminaire 150mm with four 54w T5s what tube types would you recommend? 1) two normal T5s and two tetra plant pro.2) Or would all normal T5s be okay.3) or what other COMBINATIONS if any would you recommend.

CO2, This thing with turning the co2 on one hour before lights on,this might seem a dumb question how do you get round that if you are at work and know one else is at home, i would need a ph controller on a timer to acheive this?

I have ordered two EHEIM 2028s from THE LIVING SEAS WEYMOUTH POST FREE WITH ALL FILTER MEDIA FOR £239 GOOD DEAL? Will be on thurs via courier.

REGARDS JOHN

 

[john starkey]

Two filters gives you better circulation, maintenance is better and if one goes wrong.....

Eheim 2028 with 300w Hydor in-line heater is better IMO than 2128 with built-in heater. The 2128 comes with an ugly temp probe that sits in the tank. There's no hardware on display with the Hydor.

You can get a good CO2 reg for around £60, then you need a 2Kg fire extinguisher or similar, CO2 hosing, NRV, solenoid, diffuser/reactor. Depending on manufacturers anything from £100 to £400 for a complete system.

Hello George after speaking to some shops apparently there has or had been a product recall on hydor in line heaters but i couldnt find out what the prob was , any ideas and have you heard if they are okay now. R, John