Hi Guys,
My knowledge of planted tanks is severely lacking.
However, recently inspired by PFK and some posts on here, I have gotten the planted tank bug. I have got two tanks that I am going to be setting up, and would appreciate some advice...
Tank 1:
This is a 36" x 12" W x 18" H tank. It actually will be setup at my parent's house. They are not fish novices, but don't have a lot of time to spend on maintenance apart from the usual water changes etc. (mainly as dad is v ill).
For this tank, I will be purchasing an eheim 2215/2217 filter and from what i've seen, this comes with the eheim filter pads for mechanical filtration.
The tank will not be just planted. There will be fish as well, albeit not huge amounts, as i don't want to overload it. I would imagine a shoal of tetras / danios as well as a few medium sized fish - maybe some congo tetras? Possibly a plec/catfish as well or a small shoal of clown loaches.
For this tank, I was thinking of getting a 36" tank plant collection of ~100 plants. However, I would prefer not to have to use a CO2 system for this, as that is:
a: another expense
b: another thing to refill/maintain
c: another thing to break
How does that setup sound?
Tank 2:
This is going to be mine in my home office. It will be using the 12" nano cube from PFK (when it arrives). A few questions on this:
> Am I better off just ordering a 48" plant set for both tanks, and picking plants for the 12"?
> I will most likely add a small rock to this tank
> I am also going to add a small number of fish (something to entertain me at work!). Maybe 6-8 tetras? Anyone have any stocking ideas that will appreciate the planted tank?
Again for this tank, I am not sure if I need to use CO2 or not. I would like it planted enough so that I don't require a background, but may have to end up adding one to start with at least. If i do use CO2, what is a good system to use in regards to using CO2 tabs. I do not want to use a home-brew setup, as i don't have lots of space. If i use a pressurised system, does it need electricity? (sorry - i'm a new to all this!!)
Finally, in respect to both tanks, I would like to provide a substrate fertiliser in both tanks. If I get something like API Pure Laterite - 560g will this be enough for both tanks? Also, how much gravel am I going to need to provide the correct depth for each tank? I'm going to be using black gravel that is 3mm. Aquaessentials sell "Black Coal Aquarium Substrate - 10kg" - will I need one or two bags?
Thanks a lot for reading and your help!
Jee
My knowledge of planted tanks is severely lacking.
However, recently inspired by PFK and some posts on here, I have gotten the planted tank bug. I have got two tanks that I am going to be setting up, and would appreciate some advice...
Tank 1:
This is a 36" x 12" W x 18" H tank. It actually will be setup at my parent's house. They are not fish novices, but don't have a lot of time to spend on maintenance apart from the usual water changes etc. (mainly as dad is v ill).
For this tank, I will be purchasing an eheim 2215/2217 filter and from what i've seen, this comes with the eheim filter pads for mechanical filtration.
The tank will not be just planted. There will be fish as well, albeit not huge amounts, as i don't want to overload it. I would imagine a shoal of tetras / danios as well as a few medium sized fish - maybe some congo tetras? Possibly a plec/catfish as well or a small shoal of clown loaches.
For this tank, I was thinking of getting a 36" tank plant collection of ~100 plants. However, I would prefer not to have to use a CO2 system for this, as that is:
a: another expense
b: another thing to refill/maintain
c: another thing to break
How does that setup sound?
Tank 2:
This is going to be mine in my home office. It will be using the 12" nano cube from PFK (when it arrives). A few questions on this:
> Am I better off just ordering a 48" plant set for both tanks, and picking plants for the 12"?
> I will most likely add a small rock to this tank
> I am also going to add a small number of fish (something to entertain me at work!
). Maybe 6-8 tetras? Anyone have any stocking ideas that will appreciate the planted tank?Again for this tank, I am not sure if I need to use CO2 or not. I would like it planted enough so that I don't require a background, but may have to end up adding one to start with at least. If i do use CO2, what is a good system to use in regards to using CO2 tabs. I do not want to use a home-brew setup, as i don't have lots of space. If i use a pressurised system, does it need electricity? (sorry - i'm a new to all this!!)
Finally, in respect to both tanks, I would like to provide a substrate fertiliser in both tanks. If I get something like API Pure Laterite - 560g will this be enough for both tanks? Also, how much gravel am I going to need to provide the correct depth for each tank? I'm going to be using black gravel that is 3mm. Aquaessentials sell "Black Coal Aquarium Substrate - 10kg" - will I need one or two bags?
Thanks a lot for reading and your help!
Jee
