I started this 92 gallon tank with tapwater and play sand. I used an HOB filter and a fluval 3 plus submersible. I added 13 feeder goldfish, floating hornwort, wisteria and a large banana plant on the surface. I then ordered multiple, different colored rocks and red mangrove 'sprouts' on the cheap. I have planted the wisteria between spaces on my rock structure, and I have put the hornwort bunch through a holey rock structure as well, in the center corner. The banana plant is know floating just about the sand, its roots buried in part. I have 30 watts of T8 lighting, and an additional 30 of standard flourescent. I planted the mangroves in a group of four, centered in an area where they will be able to grow out of the top of the tank. Another two mangrove stalks are planted towards the front corners of this Trigon 350, one on each side and again where they can grow out of the tank.
So, I drained the water to about 30 gallons, so as the mangroves' leaves are out of the water. I am yet to purchase a filtration system because I have not made up my mind about some things. I want this to be a low tech, planted tank, but I am not sure if I will go the way of brackish OR discus yet. I have vascillated on the subject, plus I don't know if mangroves will do well in softer water. The tank looks like it is going to be very cool. My decisions in the next few weeks will be:
1. Brackish or discus (I was going to add discus to my fully planted 55 g tank, but traffic is too much in that area of the house and it would stress them)
2. When to buy the large vals (need mangroves to grow enough to raise the water level first) and when to put in dwarf sag from my other tank (do I have enough lighting for the latter?)??? Both plants can tolerate brackish or soft.
3. Fluval FX5 (339 US dolloars) or Foster & Smiths Lifeguard Compact Inline Filter (heater, uv, and media are all inline - 359 US dollars)? I like the idea of not having a heater inside the tank, as well as having UV sterilization for brackish water clarity OR assisting with discus health.
4. CO2 decisions - I am ordering a semi-automated system for my 55 gallon, along with a powerhead to increase filtration in that established tank. I will not be injecting co2 in this 92 gallon tank, but I was wondering if it is even worth using my 2 fermentation kits, from my 55, to simply supply something in addition to the Excel dosing.
5. Decisions on the hardscape and foreground. I was thinking of adding moss covered manzanite braches to back areas of the tank and/or dead coral skeletons if I go the way of brackish. As to the foreground, I want a patchy grass-like effect. I may just use dwarf sag for this, but I don't know if there are good other options. I don't think I have enough light for hairgrass or glosso, though I do know glosso can handle brakcish water quite well.
6. What is the best RO unit for my budget and needs? I need an RO system for both tanks. The tap water quality here is terrible, and I need a system that attaches to a garden hose and filters 50 gallons per day. I am sick of bringing multiple 5 gallon water jugs to the Glazier systems at the local grocers.
So, I drained the water to about 30 gallons, so as the mangroves' leaves are out of the water. I am yet to purchase a filtration system because I have not made up my mind about some things. I want this to be a low tech, planted tank, but I am not sure if I will go the way of brackish OR discus yet. I have vascillated on the subject, plus I don't know if mangroves will do well in softer water. The tank looks like it is going to be very cool. My decisions in the next few weeks will be:
1. Brackish or discus (I was going to add discus to my fully planted 55 g tank, but traffic is too much in that area of the house and it would stress them)
2. When to buy the large vals (need mangroves to grow enough to raise the water level first) and when to put in dwarf sag from my other tank (do I have enough lighting for the latter?)??? Both plants can tolerate brackish or soft.
3. Fluval FX5 (339 US dolloars) or Foster & Smiths Lifeguard Compact Inline Filter (heater, uv, and media are all inline - 359 US dollars)? I like the idea of not having a heater inside the tank, as well as having UV sterilization for brackish water clarity OR assisting with discus health.
4. CO2 decisions - I am ordering a semi-automated system for my 55 gallon, along with a powerhead to increase filtration in that established tank. I will not be injecting co2 in this 92 gallon tank, but I was wondering if it is even worth using my 2 fermentation kits, from my 55, to simply supply something in addition to the Excel dosing.
5. Decisions on the hardscape and foreground. I was thinking of adding moss covered manzanite braches to back areas of the tank and/or dead coral skeletons if I go the way of brackish. As to the foreground, I want a patchy grass-like effect. I may just use dwarf sag for this, but I don't know if there are good other options. I don't think I have enough light for hairgrass or glosso, though I do know glosso can handle brakcish water quite well.
6. What is the best RO unit for my budget and needs? I need an RO system for both tanks. The tap water quality here is terrible, and I need a system that attaches to a garden hose and filters 50 gallons per day. I am sick of bringing multiple 5 gallon water jugs to the Glazier systems at the local grocers.
