Setting Up My First Planted Tank

[mjzuverink]

decided to finally try a planted setup. I'm going to start small, just picked up the tank today for $20. I was going to just do a ten, but decided to go with the twenty to keep more fish even though the bottom is still the same dimensions, it is roughly 20x10x21. all I have is the tank so far, now thw planning begins let me hear (read) some ideas!!!!

 

[GrayScale]

Awesome! Can't wait to see this progress. There is a pinned topic of different planting styles and brief descriptions of them. I would start by reading through there and reading journals and figuring out which plants you want. Once you get a plant list, decide what is needed to grow them such as lighting, nutrients etc. Flow and lighting are a big part of planted tanks especially in tanks that tall.

Keep in mind, the more light you have, the higher the need for additional co2, macro and trace nutrients. Don't be afraid to ask questions we won't bite.

 

[mjzuverink]

well I did some measuring, the tank is actually about 17g? thats alright, I picked up a bag of flora max for $15 today for my substrate. II have been debating mixing something else with it or laying peat moss underneath it, but i think ill be alright with just the flora max; it looks very similar to eco-complete. Let me know if you recommend adding something else to my substrate. Now the question is should I rinse the gravel first or just deal with a cloudy tank for a few days? any suggestions? thanks

 

[mjzuverink]

another question! right now I think I'm going to use an aquaclear hang on back filter rated for 20g.. not sure what the gph is but just wondering if that will be enough filtration for the tank and not sure how well the bottom portion of the tank will be cycled from that? any suggestions?

 

[GrayScale]

It's always better to "over filter". Most filters are tested empty under best conditions so when you plug them in they are only doing half of what they are rated for. I'd go with a filter rated for at least 40g.

As for the substrate it should be fine but as far as rinsing it I'm not entirely sure. Most substrate should be rinsed however there are others that if you rinse it your basically stripping of it's value in nutrients.

 

[mjzuverink]

so a quick update. The Flora-Max has been added and after a few days all was settled and clear. I wanted a little more depth in the substrate so I mixed in some regular small grain gravel today. sadly it stirred everything up again and the tank is again cloudy

I have decided to up the filtration alot. "rigged" up a power head so that it is hidden under the substrate and come out and connects to a spray bar on the back midsection of the tank. I also found a deal on a fluval 204 today and just had to pick it up. this give 180 gph, its just too bad it didnt come with a the fluval spray bar . so now with the power head, fluval, and aquaclear 20 i should have well over 10x turnover. I'm debating taking off the aquaclear to clean things up although it aggitates the top of the water nicely.

I ordered my light a few days ago as well. it is 2x 20w t5 HO which gives me about 2w per gallon, which I think I can manage with. I ordered a 10,000k bulb and a 6,700k bulb hoping the combination will not be too yellow/ not too blue.

I'll make an attempt to post some pictures once the tank clears up and the light comes

thanks for reading