Setting Up A Planted Tank

[catfish_mad]

I am getting a Rio 180 and am thinking of setting up a planted tank but i dont know what stuff i need to do so. If anyone can me the list of what needs to be got to setup one up i would be greatful.

 

[DevUK]

Not an easy answer really. First you need to decide if you want a high maintenance tank or low tech. You will need to think about whether you want to upgrade the lighting, or go low tech low light. Then theres CO2 to consider...

What sort of planted tank do you want to achieve?

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

i am in the same situation as you i've been told to read all the stickies in this forum and read the journals too before jumping into anything !

good things come to those who wait

 

[catfish_mad]

Dont know really, I dont want one thats high maintainence.

I want to get a low maintainence but still looks good and one that i can still have some small clown loaches in??

 

[DevUK]

Cool. Have a read of George's thread. He's got a low tech, low light tank which looks amazing.

According to Juwel's website the rio has 2x 30w lights and is approx 45 - 47 gallons. Doing the Watts Per Gallon (WPG) calculation that works out as: 60w/46gal = 1.3wpg

You are going to need some sort of substrate, such as Tetra complete substrate. You are also going to need some sort of CO2 setup. I will be setting up a 120ltr tank in the next few months and plan to use the DIY method. I've been told it should be enough. Anyway, the next thing to do is research plants. You're going to need to select lower light plants mainly. Read other people's journals and see what plants they use. Be prepared for lots of latin names

Most of all, havefun with it

 

[nry]

You can get superb results with low or high lighting, providing you match the available lighting with the relevant plants, fertiliser and maintenance regime.

George's tank (as linked to above) is a superb example of a low light, low maintenance planted tank, with superb results.