What to get for a two footer.

[grey_fox]

Hi all,

I'm not too experienced with smaller tanks and thus seeks some form of advise on what I can get for probably a two footer. Style of scape is also undecided but a h.c lawn would be my desired foreground plant of choice for the time being. I guess it will be a high-tech setup.

I'm intending to have this setup maybe for a shrimp + small shaoling fishes or for a pair of apistos. I've not actually made up my mind on the fauna but that I believe can wait.

My question that I have are the following.

1. For a 2 footer tank, should I get a clip-on 70W MH lighting or just a 2 x 24w T5HO lamp?

2. Is the Eden501 sufficient for a 2 footer?

[brianclaw]

1. The T5 set is adequate, depending on the plants you want. Demanding plants like Glosso would probably do well with the MH.

2. I find the 501 barely adequate for a 1.5 footer, let alone a 2 footer. You're better off with an Eheim Classic 2213. I find the 501 gets choked up pretty fast and the flow rate slows down a lot over time.

Hope that helps.

[grey_fox]

Thanks Brian.

Will probably get the Eheim since the Eden is insufficient.

[ranmasatome]

Aaron.. i think the T5 HO is more than enough for the 60cm. Recently, i've been only running 60cm tanks and i have to say i love them.

As for filtering... Try to go for soemthing bigger.. it saves you a lot of work and would increase circulation.

As for fauna, just take note that if you're raising expensive fauna in any tank.. its best that tank be low tech... reasons being that you have NO chance of poisoning those fauna with either Co2 or overdosing or ferts.
Also the beauty of low tech can be appreciated for much longer and requires much less effort... i may sound a bit biased but i am currently a big fan of low tech tanks..and i have found that a lot of things can survive in low tech tanks despite common heresay.

[grey_fox]

Hey Justin,

Thanks for the input. Yeah I agree that a low-tech tank keeps thing simple as well and to prevent any accidental deaths.

I liked my 5 footer when it was in its low-tech form, literally algae free, no hassle and also, rather peaceful to look at with its dim lighting.

I want to have 1 x 60cm tank in my room but need to have some space-management currently. Once there's space, I guess I'll see if I want the tank to focus of mainly flora or fauna. If I'm going to have expensive fauans like CRS or even apistos, I'll definitely go low-tech for sure. However if its more of a 'green-house' then hehe I'll pump the tank. hehe.

I'm thinking of getting a 2026 instead but wonder if that's an overkill?

[valice]

It is not an overkill.
I am running the 2026 on my 2ft (but it is 2x1x1.5). The rain bar is placed vertically downwards and water outlet is set at 45deg hitting the back glass. Good water flow.

I know Ranma also running a 2026 on his low tech. But he pass it through a chiller, so will need the power.

[grey_fox]

Ok, looks like I'm going to set aside at least $250-300 for this little project of mine. hehe.

[Wackytpt]

Yup

You ned to set aside at least that amount

[ranmasatome]

nope not 2026... its a 2028..

[yappeyap]

Ok, looks like I'm going to set aside at least $250-300 for this little project of mine. hehe.

2 footer for your "Cute Rummy Nose"??? Keekeeee


Cheers!
Alex (Korea)

[grey_fox]

Nicholas, wanna chip into the grey_fox foundation? Sponsor say $200?

Alex, haha no way man... no more rummies for me, well at least for now.

[off topic] haha Alex, enjoy your honeymoon!! you shouldn't be logging onto AQ!!

[scoobyjoo]

I'm thinking of getting a 2026 instead but wonder if that's an overkill?

I was also running the 2026 in a 2ft planted tank. With the rainbar facing forward, the current was too strong. But current was just nice when I faced the rainbar against the back wall of the tank.