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Thread: Newbie

  1. #1
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    Newbie

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    hi guys, i'm thinking of starting my hands on a planted tank. wat are the basic necessities must i get? and how much will the cost work up to? i'm planning on a 4ft planted tank. thanks!

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    read up on sites relating to planted tanks, or alternatively,search the forums as always reccomended by the older members.

    key words: planted tanks

    www.thekrib.com

    http://www.easyfishkeeping.com/tropi...sfulplants.htm

    http://www.aquahobby.com/

    http://www.frii.com/~gbooth/AquaticConcepts/Co2/

    not so sure about costs, i have two 2 feet tanks.
    I guess basic requirements are understanding of each fish species needs(ph,gh,territorial,behaviour,introducing fishes in a new tank,cycling a new tank), plants needs,(ph, co2, lights, fertilizer).
    Have fun reading up, and be sure to know the requirements, if not you'll end up learning the hard way, trial and error, which can be expensive.
    #nicholas
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    read the guide in the faq section.
    here's the link

    as for the cost, it is difficult to estimate. decide on what you want and visit some lfs to inquire about prices.
    thomas liew

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    hi guys, any place to recommend to buy stuff like sand, substrate and other equipment? anywhere cheap?

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    I think most of the places listed on the LFS directory on top of the page will have a fair range of the stuff you need. Each shop will have certain items that are cheaper or more expensive than others, so the best you can do is shop around, compare and decide for yourself.

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    heh these questions has been asked many times before and dat is why u are getting no answers

    for a start, here are some recommendations for beginner (me also beginner) ... the rest, let ur feet do the walking []

    1) tank - up 2 you
    2) filter - external canister type preferred, eheim if got $$$, atman if waiting 2 strike toto ($50-$300+)
    3) gravel - Lonestar is a popular choice
    4) jbl base fertiliser - Cheap and good
    5) co2 tank + regulator + solenoid - all LFS can recommend you some ($150-$300+)
    6) lights - PL lights preferred, 3W per gallong recommended
    7) any others like diffusor/reactor, skimmer, thermometer, fans/chillers, etc etc

    lastly, the plants & fishes you will have to choose yourself [:]
    ... always look at the bright side of life

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    can i do without a solenoid?
    can i use overhead filter instead of canister?
    any advice for these 2 points?

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    Solenoids are a controversial area. Some feel it's helpful, other do well without it. The best advice is if you do not get one, make sure you read up on CO2 injection, the pH/kH table and closely monitor your tank's CO2 settings to prevent pH dips from CO2 during the night.

    Overhead filters are generally not recommended. They take up valuable space which would be better used for the lights. The water splashing down tends to cause agitation which increases CO2 loss (i.e. wastage). And canister filters can be more flexibly positioned to provide better water circulation. If you aren't ready to invest in those Eheim sets, try one of the taiwanese alternatives, or advertise for a second-hand. I got my 2224 for just $60.

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    If budget is an issue, then go without a solenoid and just spend some money on a timer and a airpump +air stone... just turn it on when the lights are out... this will aerate your tank and reduce any risk of CO2 toxicity.
    Allen

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    "just turn it on when the lights are out..."

    Tot should on your co2 as when you on the light ???

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    Guys, he just started. Don't you think DIY CO2 is better for him as a start? He probably will learn more from it and build up as he goes along.

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    Allen is refering to the air-pump to be "on" when the lights go out...(This is for ppl with regulator without solenoid valve so as to prevent CO2 poisoning)
    Plant Physiology by Taiz and Zeiger

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    I was talking about using an airstone and not CO2... OK let me be more explicit... For people on a budget, the solenoid is quite an expensive addition... so if you can't afford a solenoid now, don't get one. This however means theres a risk of CO2 toxicity when the lights are out as the plants will not be photsynthesizing. So I recommend spending like $20-30 on a timer and an airpump+airstone. By setting this to turn on at night when the lights are low, you reduce the risk of CO2 toxicity by

    1) causing surface turbulance which outgasses CO2
    2) increase O2 levels
    3) cause water circulation between the water at the surface and bottom which in term also increases O2 and reduces CO2 levels.
    Allen

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    thanks guys for all ur advices. actually right now i do have a CO2 tank and regulator. so dun need to DIY one.

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    allen, ur suggestion of using a timer and air pump sounds good. better alternative to getting a solenoid.

    as for filters, can i get those normal rectangular submersible filters? dun wish to spend too much on this area.

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    A good canister filter is a wise investment.
    I bet you would spend a lot more (in total) on plants and fishes than a good canister filter after a few months into this game.
    DO NOT SAVE on filter.
    Just my 2 cents.

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    I agree... try and get the best filter you can get for your buck... if budget is a concern then forget trying to get a eheim... go for atman or some cheaper brands... if you need suggestions, you can tell us your budget for filters and mebbe we can suggest something.
    Allen

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    ----------------
    On 1/23/2003 9:53:15 PM

    hi guys, i'm thinking of starting my hands on a planted tank. wat are the basic necessities must i get? and how much will the cost work up to? i'm planning on a 4ft planted tank. thanks!
    ----------------
    Seems like you got some of your stuff already prior to your decision to setup your planted tank. Maybe you could tell us what you already have so that we can advise how you can proceed. I think this way, info you need can be obtain more efficiently and avoid repeated Q&A.
    Cheers!!

    Sherwin Choo
    [email protected]

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    hi! right now i only have a 4ft tank and a CO2 tank with manual regulator. going to get some JBL base fertiliser and sand tmr.

    ask u guys hor.... i noe i need about 4 tubes of 36w FL light which i can easily get in most LFS. the question is, does the terms 'high light' or 'low light' depend on the wattage of the tubes? in that case, can i use those normal FL tubes found in most hardware shops and NTUCs? cos i saw one 36W tube in NTUC selling for $6+ only. and the cover box indicated 'Daylight' too. are those tubes good enough for planted tanks?

    thanks in advance!

  20. #20
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    The FL tubes can be used for your planted tank but does 4X36W is sufficient for your tank. Assuming your tank is 4X1.5X1.5 the wattage is only 2.25W/g which I think is quite low.

    Another major problem is that 4ft tubes cannot fit into a 4ft light fitting.
    Cheers!!

    Sherwin Choo
    [email protected]

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