Starting From Scratch

[Pixietina]

Im hoping to buy my new Tank before the month is passed and i really want to have a heavily planted tank.
But i have no idea where to start.
 
So i really need someone to talk me through what is done after i have bought my new tank home.
What do i need what tips can you offer?
xxx

 

[techen]

Tips for plants?
 
I'd start with what kind of lights you get with the tank

 

[Pixietina]

Tips for plants?
 
I'd start with what kind of lights you get with the tank

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/aquanano-40-aquarium-set-51l-(available-in-selected-stores-only)-86109
im looking at this tanks so guessing it would be a normal light?
what sort of lighting would you reccomend?

 

[SLIM]

Link is not working for me. Cant see your tank

First things first. As your just starting I would keep your lighting low to medium which stock is bound to be so you should be fine.
Your also need to put your lights on a timer so they come on and turn off the same time everyday.
8-10 hours a day is normally good.

Flow
If you want a heavily planted tank you will need a total of 10x flow. Example.. 100L tank needs 1000lph flow. This is including your filters total lph flow rate.
My old tank was 260L with a 1000lph filter and I added a 1600lph powerhead to achieve a total of 2600lph flow rate.

Ferts
You will need to find yourself a good trace fert and dose daily IF your going heavily planted.

Finally research your plants. You want nice easy to grow low tech plants which wont demand high light or high co2 levels.
Crypts, anubias and Echinodorus are a good plants to start with.

Thats about it unless you want to go high tech which mean higher light, liquid carbon or co2 injection.
But I wouldnt suggest that until you gain some experience

 

[SLIM]

There are all kinds of "special" substrates you can use that are full of nutrients and will do the plants wonders, but this is not essential imo in a low tech tank as the plants can just as easily absorb everything they need from the water column itself.
Any substrate will be fine. Sand, gravel anything really.

 

[Pixietina]

Thankyou all, In the long run i really want to learn all the high tech stuff, but lets learn to walk first aye.
Sorry the link didnt work its this tank
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/aquanano-40-aquarium-set-51l-(available-in-selected-stores-only)-86109
Is their a particular depth of subtrate youd reccomend?
Or even a preference with Sand and Gravel?
Ill go research now and get some ideas of what plants will be best thankyou again so so much!

 

[SLIM]

About an inch n a half max. Sand or gravel its upto you. Sand is easier to plant in. But people say gravel is easier to clean. I prefer sand but the choice is really yours.
Nice tank. You should look at ps3steveos tanks. He does awesome high tech small tanks.
Might be worth looking at some of his journals in the planted journal section.
I guarantee his tanks will inspire you even for a low tech, and im sure he'll be more than happy to help you out with any more questions you have like plant choice

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/408366-undiscovered/

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/399775-rainforest/