Want To Start A New Planted Tank: How Do I Start?

[mwood2]

Well I plan to start a new tank but want to get it planted and do it right. My plan is to get a 20 long place a layer of florite or similar substance and top with sand. I do not know what I will stock it with in the future though. This will be my first time doing a proper planted tank (all my others have been a plant here, plant there) after I cycled. I have been reading up a bit and and figured that 20 long would be best since I can get 30in T8 lighting for cheap. I do not plan to add any fish for a long time and want to establish the plants before then. with a 30in strip light and 2 bulbs I can attain 40watts. I also have ferts I use (Sticks and liquid). I do not know what plants I will use but I want to get the tank started pretty soon. Since its payday I plan to buy the 20 long+lighting strip today. I will also buy a substance depending on what is the most ideal for a planted aquarium with a potential for bottom feeders. So to sum it up:

Best Substance?
What items would be best to start out with?
Do I need a filter/heater even running while I get the plants to flourish?

 

[Bobtastic]

The top substrates are probably : -
ADA Aquasoil
Oliver Knott's NatureSoil
Tropica Plant Substrate

I would recommend aquascaping first off with your chosen substrate and hardscape (rock/wood) and get it to a point that you happy with the layout. You can then decide on the plants you what and where you're going to put them.

You will need a heater and filter, they are aquatic tropical plants to you will need to keep the water up to temp and the filter to move the water around more than anything at this point.

 

[mwood2]

ok so my first setup will be getting the Black Florite Sand I found, and slowly fill the tank up with wood/rock. and add plants only after that's been done. should be half a month before I get to the plants then lol. I have an extra Fluval U1 or Fluval +2. Which would be best to start up the tank and should I even bother to put media inside? I dont plan to do a fishless cycle (I have extra media to seed with anyways).

 

[Bobtastic]

U'd b best of deciding whether you've going Low-tech or Hi-tech as well b4 choosing plants.

I made the mistake of filling filling my tank with water pre-scaping and then refilling with water after scaping b4 planting. I would recommend leaving filling until you have scaped and planted to avoid have to empty, refill/empty, refill.

 

[aaronnorth]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=298133

 

[mwood2]

Ok well the first part of the supplies are done. I got the tank and substance. I settled on API First Layer which is similar to florite but suited for an under layer. Next I got 30 pounds of Flora Sand. Its black sand but has alot of nutirants in it. Also says it carries live bacteria buuuut I think that false. Anyways. I plan to but my wood and rocks next. then from there I will put heating and lighting. Filters already taken care of since I have that extra Fluval +2.